Taking a break before heading out for a shaved ice desert tonight, wanted to write about the past two days before I forget everything.
Our bodies weren’t quite adjusted to Taiwan time as we found out about 4am on Thursday morning. We decided not to try and go back to sleep and just went for a morning stroll around the neighborhood. One thing I love about this city is that every alleyway is full of great little independent shops. Even when the chains come in like Starbucks, they don’t take over like they do in America. I wonder if rent stays affordable and that leads to this creativity in business, or if its more of a reflection of Taiwan’s people to appreciate something unique over something everyone has.

Anyway, at lunch we had way too much dim-sum with Jessica’s mom, her grandmother and great Uncle and Aunt. I hope I’m as happy and full of life as they are at 89. Lunch was a long affair as is custom with dim-sum. I ate way too much and am already fearing the big family lunch tomorrow.
We then went to the Chiang Kai-Shek memorial and watched the changing of the guard. A very solemn and neat experience. After studying him in college it was neat to see the museum, and even though I still hold my doubts about his legacy, it is evident the positive feelings the Chinese people in Taiwan have for him.
We ended the day having dinner at Sushi Express. Whoever owns this chain needs to bring it to America ASAP. You sit and a conveyor belt brings sushi around for you. You see a plate you like you grab it. At the end of the meal they total your plate number and you pay 30 NT (about $1) per plate. Four of us ate there. Our total bill $17 dollars. Amazing good stuff, and the way I wish Sushi was in America. Me and Jess walked for a while through the neon streets after dinner, but our 4am wake up caught up with us and we headed home.

Today, we got up and took the subway to Sun Yat Sen memorial. It’s a lot like the Kai-Shek one, except devoted to Sun Yat Sen. There was a modern art show inside that had some amazing paintings in it. I can’t wait to show you some of the pictures. Jessicas mom had arranged for a friend to take us on a excursion today, and we headed out of Taipei up the coast to Yehliu. Before we got there we stopped at an oceanside fishing town and had some of the best tasting fresh fish I’ve every had.
Yehliu is a tourist spot in Taiwan that features really neat rock formations on the beach, that have been shaped by thousands of years of wind and weather. The rock that is most famous is the Queen’s Head, which is shaped like a queens head. Its really a cool thing to see and a great park along the pacific ocean, just for walking.
Our guide Arthur next to us to the awesome Juming museum which features the work of Sculptor Ju Ming. Its a neat place nestled in the mountains, and work I’m very interested in learning more about. The sculptures carry a lot of expression and are often funny and sometimes disturbing. Great stuff.
Got back into Taipei a while ago and had some amazing beef noodle soup, at an unmarked, undecorated restaurant. The kind of place that would never make it in America. Good thing were not there. It was delicious.
Im loving the trip so far, and ready for more!