Thursday, May 13, 2010

Day 2 (04/19/10): Errands, eating and extreme jet lag.



Day two! First stop: the local black market currency exchange to turn some greenbacks into Taiwanese... blue and red backs.

Operating out of a 'gold shop' located in a row of stores that includes a bookstore, mom and pop eatery and a clothing boutique; the small, sparse storefront leads into an even smaller back room where two middle-aged men sit behind desks. The slender man does the talking and handles all transactions while his larger colleague, ostensibly the brawn of the operation, sits reading the newspaper and, when called upon, double-checks the count.

There was nothing secretive about the transaction; all business was conducted out in the open (the door and window leading into the back room were kept wide open). And aside from the standard ceiling cameras, there was no real visible show of security, no bullet-proof glass or buzzers, etc. Ballsy.

Anyway, it was all very fast and easy, convenient, decent rates, and no questions asked or paperwork required. Interestingly enough, I learned that the newer U.S. 100 dollar bills are worth slightly more than the older ones.

No photos were taken because I enjoy being able to walk and having all 10 fingers.


Zhongxiao Fuxing station in the morning.

Afterwards, a lengthy stroll through the East Metro Mall, an underground concourse/marketplace connecting the Zhongxiao Dunhua and Zhongxiao Fuxing metro stations. Nothing much to see, really, but hey the air conditioning was nice on a hot, humid day.


Lunched at Shang, on the twelfth floor of the Ming Yao department store. We ate there a couple times during my visit last year, good stuff. Onto the food porn!



This nice girl eating alone at the table across from us must have really thought highly of her getup that day because she kept taking self-shots with her camera phone, checking it and then re-taking.


This happened on and off throughout her meal and then continuously for a good 10 minutes as she was signing for her bill.


Me, I was smart enough to take advantage of the complimentary mirrors.


Two hours and a belly full of beer and raw fish later.


Dad in front of his old office building. He tells me that this was one of the first tall, modern buildings in the area when he was growing up. My grandfather then turns to me and goes, "This all used to be farmland."

We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around the neighborhood, and then shopping for supplies at the RT-Mart, a gigantic, subterranean Walmart-esque shopping center.


The Taiwanese take their toothpaste seriously.


Ramen, too. This was aisle one of three.

Then I went home and passed out. Thanks, 12-hour time difference!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Day 1 (04/18/10): Travel day and Friday's.

An inauspicious start to the vacation: pulled a calf muscle climbing into the war vehicle that transported me to the airport. Now, pictures!


Ready to roll. First shot from the new toy, the senior Mr. H himself. The camera, by the way, has a food mode. Oh it's on.


Airport lounge food. $8.50 for a cold, ho-hum 'chipotle' grilled chicken wrap. $9.25 after tax... highway robbery.


Fast forward 9 hours, layover in Anchorage. Display case of banned items made from endangered species/reflection of exhausted traveler.


The duty-free shop. Very much regretting not having purchased this.


Back on the plane, which was covered with (and seemingly held together by) these stickers. The aircraft must have been from the 90s if not even older, what with the ashtrays (glued shut, of course) and the CRT televisions overhead very obviously playing VHS tapes (your in-flight programming: a prerecorded BBC news broadcast and then Avatar in breathtaking 1.5D). China Airlines vs. Cathay (last year)... big difference.

Also, going west at night absolutely blows. We flew in the dark the entire trip -- imagine not being able to see where you're going for 17 hours. The most miserable way to travel imaginable.


Arrival in Taoyuan. I see Asian people.


...and look adorable doing so.

Once in Taipei and settled in, I paid an afternoon visit to the Shilin night market. And just how could I travel halfway across the world without dropping by the local T.G.I. Friday's?

Potato skins jones fulfilled, it was back up the mountain, where I had a pretty Asian girl walk on my back. The rest of the evening was spent with delicious Taiwan beer and good, label-less company; hoping there wouldn't be a repeat of last year, that the rainy, humid weather would clear up.


Group photo! The miracles of technology.


What jet lag?