Saturday, 7/16
Sent off a birthday wish to Au. I don’t remember when we haven’t been together to celebrate her birthday. She’s in Germany while we are in Taiwan, and that doesn’t happen very often…actually never, and will probably never happen again.
We spent the day with T, first going to Danshui, known for shopping, ice cream, and nice atmosphere by the river. The MRT conveniently took us there, and were met by T’s aunt greeting us with milk tea boba for us – what service! It was the best I’ve ever had, or maybe it was just the power of suggestion because I know that boba originated in Taiwan. Either case, it was good. A typical Taiwanese lunch of rice with preserved veggies and pork chops and egg followed. I don’t love the Taiwanese pork chop rice in the US, but here it was delicious! Maybe because at home, I don’t normally love Chinese food, but when in Rome, do as the Romans do, so I am enjoying Chinese food.
Again, the weather was sunny one minute and raining the next. Umbrellas are sold everywhere for about $3USD (unlike Vietnam where we didn’t see any umbrellas being sold). We made the rounds of the marketplace, bought a few little things, and decided to go back to the hotel to take a rest. The magic of the MRT took us back easily, and Amy and I shopped for over an hour at the store of cute things next to our hotel.
For dinner, T took us to his friend’s restaurant. The menu is simple – noodle soup with gizzards and steamed mochi thing. My appetite was a bit dampened when I caught a glimpse of the “work area” behind closed doors…Dishes were being washed in a tub in the alleyway…I know, when in Rome…and there are no food sanitation inspections here…it would’ve better if I just closed my eyes and eat.
Walking around at night on crowded streets and riding on the MRT are my favorite activities in Taiwan. It reminds of me of Disneyland…but not as clean as Disneyland…and it’s a lot bigger…and no turkey legs and Dole pineapple whip…otherwise the feeling is the same.