Taiwan

It's surprising how long it took for me to write about going to Taiwan with Simona. Despite what I had expected, the chain of events didn't really feel that extraordinary to me. Just a blond-haired girl coming back to Taiwan with me, speaking English with my parents and grandparents...

Wait, speaking English with my grandparents?

Gradma's English was the biggest surprise of the week. At one time, she even uttered a complete sentence, "No, I am not good at English" which is 10 times better than 80% of my students. Who says you can't learn anything from watching TV?

Mom pulled me aside, when we were watching the flower clock at 陽明山, and asked me if Simona was my girlfriend. I gave an equivocal answer--well, yes and no, but that's what I'm figuring out right now...--and I guess it was satisfactory to her. There were no other incidents from either her, Dad, or grandma anyway.

I still cannot believe we had it in my house in Taiwan. On what remained from my childhood bunkbed, under that pink light in my parents old room. Strange does not describe the least of it.

The food did not dissappoint. Even Simona was impressed. I could do without all that veggie items, however.

The walk in 植物園 was really nice. The visitors there were either young families or old couples with little kids.

Pics:

Yep. My girl.



Our flight was overbooked on 2/5, so we biz classed the 5 hour flight.


Simona and I in front of the Yuanshan hotel/restaurant.


Dad inside Yuanshan.


Mom inside Yuanshan.


Streets of Taipei near the main station.


Pres 陳水扁's residence. Currently vacated due to excess protesting and demonstration.


The Chan Kai Shek memorial.


My house in Taipei, seen from street level (5th floor) at night.


It's a lettuce! It's a rock!


Me in deep contemplation.


Simona took this picture. You have to ask her.


She took this one too. No dog was harmed during the photo process (if you had to ask, it's merely napping).


Inside the MRT.




A man dancing in 西門町. Personally I think he's either rolling or retarded. And that's me looking for the camera.


OOOHHH YYEEAAHHH, chika chikahhhhhh.


Nice (position hand above opposite shoulder, commence padding).


Ba-wan, meat inside tapioca dough covered with red sweet and sour sauce. Hmm, meat inside tapioca dough covered with red sweet and sour sauce...


Lunch at grandma's. That's my youngest uncle (my mom's brother), who's about to be married, prob in August.


Yup, you guessed it. A tomb from some really rich guy.


Taipei 101. At 508m and 101 floors, it is currently the world's tallest building, until the one in Shanghai goes up next year, that is.


A wind-stablizer inside the building.


Taipei 101 from up close.



Did I take this one? Did she take this one?