This afternoon we had a bit of a surprise. Michelle started speaking Chinese. I suppose out of necessity she made the switch… wish I could do that. Yesterday evening’s excursion was a bit much for my back, so I took it easy today, but we still went out for lunch (MOS) and a trip to … Read more
I’m recycling this picture, but it fits perfectly with the theme. Last time we were here, MOS had this complicated recycling station, which seems a bit excessive. There are places for trash, cardboard, cups, ice, certain types of plastic and food waste. MOS being a Japanese chain, you just naturally expect something excessive and quirky … Read more
The Xiobitan station has several pieces of art, even the patio is considered a piece of art. With all civic art, you have to explain it in massively pompous ways to justify the complete waste of tax money it represents. Here are a couple from Xiaobitan: This is the patio… Eastside Square; The Sweeties “Time … Read more
Nights are the worst. That’s beginning to be my mantra. Sometime around 1-3 AM each morning I awake with a coughing fit. This morning it happened twice, both times I had nosebleeds because my nose is so weak from constant blowing. I had to get up and leave the room, so I spent time on … Read more
This was the first night in days that wasn’t completely awful. Still, I once again awoke at 3:00AM, coughing and needing to blow my nose. The problem with that is that everytime I cough or blow my nose, James cries. There’s not much I can do. Irene keeps putting him in bed with us so … Read more
Another bad night. I just rested in the morning, until shortly before noon when we went to Costco for provisions. My father-in-law drove and I think he gave Irene grey hairs. There’s something about that trip to Costco that really seems to bring out the scarey driving in him. I remember that from last trip … Read more
Sometime during the night, delirious with fever, I got up to use the restroom. Funny thing about the restrooms here, there’s no differentiation between the shower and the rest of the restroom, consequently, since the Taiwanese tend to shower at night, all night long the bathroom floor is soaking wet and the air is thick … Read more
I got up at 5:00 AM this morning, still a bit early for being on vacation, but better than 4:00AM. Considering the weather, 5:00 AM is quite pleasant. Sunrise this morning was at 5:42, so I decided to go shoot pictures at 5:30. At 5:29 Michelle came into the room, turing on every light in … Read more
Surprise! It isn’t me! It’s Michelle. The problem is, little girls need to eat, but virtually everything her grandparents put on the table she immediately pulls a “I don’t like that!” and refuses to eat. Yesterday we decided that we’d take her to McDonald’s today, figuring that if she sees familiar food she’s inclined to … Read more
The typhoon is over. The central part of Taiwan took the direct hit and there is damage and injuries, but not too many. Once the typhoon hit the central mountain range of the island (which peaks at 4000 meters) the eye collapsed and the wind got knocked out of the storm, although it is expected … Read more