Knock Knock at My Tainan Hotel Window... Who (or WTF) Was There?! (True Story)
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Certainly, I will translate the article from Chinese to English while preserving both the details and emotional expressions of the original text.
Mysterious Incident at a Motel in Tainan: The Muffled Knocking Sounds on My Window
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In the summer of 2015, when I was a fourth-grader.
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At the time, I went for a "Cross-Straits Musical Exchange Competition" activity in Taiwan with our part-time music school.
- A quick note: "Cross-Straits," usually refers to mainland China and Taiwan. Our aim was to perform and exchange there.
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There were twenty or so of us, including my piano teacher, group members. On the second night, we arrived in the southern city of Taiwan called Tainan and stayed in what appeared to be a rather fancy Motor Inn.
- A little aside: some motels (Motel) in Taiwan can have luxurious decoration, quite different from regular small inns.
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Accommodation was arranged for two people per room. As for the person I shared with, it was a younger boy than me - thus, his nickname shall just be Baby Brother.
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The room was rather plain: stepping into the room, to the left was the washroom, and to the right was a tiny closet. Opposite the entryway was a corridor that led to a large floor-to-ceiling glass window and the double bed nearby.
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By the time we entered the room, it had already been dark; it rained heavily outside. Though the room felt humid and the air stifled.
- Important reminder: weather in Taiwan during summer may often bring intense heat and humidity, rain being common too, especially in the South.
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We turned on the TV to relax a bit after getting settled in. But a few minutes later, I clearly heard "bam — bam", sound coming from the way of the large glass window.
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That sound did not sound like the rain but more like someone was knocking the glass with their fingers.
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At first, I didn't think much of it, figuring perhaps it was wind carrying rain drops against the window.
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However, several minutes later, the sound came again, still two knocks. This time, I told the baby brother, yet he could not make sense of it, asking me to hear it first and, if repeated, go find our leader or call the reception desk.
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We remained tense as we stared at the window. After quite some time, that knock on the window rang once again! This time, even the baby brother heard it, turning back to look at each other, we got struck with fear, frozen on the spot.
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In that moment, time seemed to halt. I, mustering up all my courage, moved closer to the window and cautiously opened the curtain by a narrow slit.
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Outside lay, only a balcony-like patio – just like the small platform above the building. With darkness so heavy and rain continuing to pour, it was impossible to see anything, let alone anyone. Yet, I knew with clarity that the sound just came from the outside of this window.
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I was so alarmed that I sweat broke out all over my body, and I quickly brightened up all the lights in the room, pulling the curtains tight closed.
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The baby bro rushed off to search for others, and I grabbed the phone, dialing the service desk.
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Just as I heard the service staff pick up on the other end, I heard that couple of knocks again! Plus, this time, I heard what sounds like shuffling noises from the balcony, implying at least four or five individuals walking around! I was so petrified...
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In no time, our instructor and motel employees showed up.
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We recounted the happenstances insisting they check the access to the terrace and video surveillance.
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They eventually located the door leading to that balcony, however, not one single presence was there. More scaryly, the hotel's security cameras recorded nothing about suspicious!
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Our stories fell on deaf ears, they figured we kids were making stories up and urged us not to worry overmuch.
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But I maintained the claim that what we heard was real! To prove us not inventing tales, we begged them to spend some time in our room and listen.
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You wouldn't believe it; before long, the window clanked again! At that moment, the face of a staff member paled visibly.
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Without further question, they agreed to transfer us to another room at once...
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Later, we continued performing and leisurely strolled around. This memorable experience of travel in Taiwan concluded with that story.
- Traveler's Advice:
- When encountering weird things, don't hold it alone: particularly when traveling alone or with unfamiliar folks. If you are feeling uneasy (for example, hearing strange noises or feeling unsafe), don't hesitate to inform hotel staff or leaders immediately. Safety comes first!
- Insist on your perception: When you are certain something occurred, but others are doubtful, politely yet firmly ask for verification. Like the story mentioned, have them verify with their own hearing.
- Check the safety of your accommodation:
- Such as staying in a motel or rooms attached with balconies or patios, ensure to inspect whether doors windows lock securely, and check for external access points.
- If there is direct passageway from the room to any common grounds without effective barricade, it is advised to request change of rooms.
- Monitors might miss a lot: do not rely solely on video surveillance to capture everything.
- Keep in mind that real life experiences often are inexplicable at times: it is okay to move past such experiences without explanation.
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There are a lot of haunted old hotels in Tainan. If you visit Taiwan, it's best to avoid old hotels or motels. They're often cheap, which means they're more likely to be haunted or could have been crime scenes (even homicides).
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Got it! Thanks for sharing.
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He's always been by your side...
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Whoa, don't scare me! Even though it's been many years, suddenly thinking about it today still scares me.
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It might have been an insect hitting it. I've heard of moths, roaches, termites, flies, wasps doing that, and even animals like raccoons. During the day, birds might hit it too.
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Oh, so that's another possibility.
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I think choosing a motel was a real mistake. Perhaps they didn't realize that so many serious crimes (like homicides) happen at motels.
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Back in 2013, when I was a college junior, I went on a 15-day independent trip. My experience in Tainan was the only part that wasn't great. Everywhere else, people were incredibly warm and kind.
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It didn't follow you back because Taiwanese ghosts can't handle spicy food.
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Damn, that's hilarious!
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Huh? I just got back from Tainan, don't scare me like that!
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This happened when I was a kid. I've been back to Tainan since, and nothing similar ever occurred. Plus, I could never find that specific motel again, no matter how I searched. I even asked my parents, but they have no recollection of me ever staying at a motel. It just came to mind today while I was chatting in my dorm, so I decided to jot it down.