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!