Deaflympics Coming to a Close!

by Val
Well, the 2009 Deaflympics is coming to a close very soon. Jennifer is completing her last day of volunteering today, and I am here at the arena with her to watch some events and meet whoever happens to cross my path. I think Jennifer said she'd met and talked with Deaf people from 22 or so different countries. I'm sure she's adding to that list right now!

This week, I was able to watch swimming, orienteering (at a national park in the mountains--so beautiful!), basketball (Greece beat Chinese Taipei by 50 points), athletics, and tons of people. Most of the time, I feel intimidated to start a conversation with anyone because I'm afraid I won't be able to communicate with them. However, yesterday, I spent the whole morning with a Deaf man from Boston who was also a school teacher and a former world skiier. He's here just to watch the games and invite people to Las Vegas in July 2010 for Miss Deaf International, of which he is the co-founder. We used a LOT of paper to communicate as we simultaneously watched the athletic events, and he taught me several signs as he can speak somewhat and I could read his lips and repeat what he said using sign language. We even ate lunch together at McDonald's, but after that, I think he was pretty exhausted from having to communicate so slowly with me, so we said goodbye! Maybe Jennifer will be able to go to Vegas next summer to help with Miss Deaf International! That's an idea!

Other than that, it's been so much fun to spend time with my friend Rebecca and get to know her life that I've only ever read about in e-mails! Last night, we walked her dogs by the river and looked up at the stars shining over Taipei, and talked and talked. A memory to last forever! Thanks, Rebecca!