Unique Taiwan

There's only one first-day in a new country, when everything is unique.  Scooters are everywhere.  Parking is often on the sidewalks, lined up like this (even though this is on the street).  We saw families commuting on these things, workers with their equipment bungee'd on, etc.  Usually I wasn't fast enough with the camera to get those shots, so you'll have to settle for a modern 'still life.'

The streets are so Asian.

Where we ate, not so much.

In fact, there was only one item on the menu that was unique to Taiwan.  It was a chicken sandwich, and the sauce had the spice that I equate with Chinese food.  Don't know the name of it, but I know it when I smell it!

24 -hour and take out from McDonald's.... hmmm.

And some of their breakfast foods were on buns with vegetables.

This dog was in this one.  I don't think anyone owned it.  It didn't beg, just hung out for awhile.  The employees told the people he was next to, to get him out.  They were gesturing like, 'It's not mine!'

These we could see from the McD's window.  I thought it hilarious that the Chinese Character Festival had lots of English on the sign, and the farmer is sen in this (bank?) billboard.

I can't think Jackie Chan scales walls all the time, but these window cages were common.  The warm climate means things GROW!

Delivery bike.

A soupy rice is a breakfast item.  Essence of Chicken, anyone?  Wow... we're a long way from oats here!

I think one is a root, and the other here is a mushroom flavor.  I didn't try them.

We did try these.  William LOVED the fact that he got 'malted' milk, since daddy uses malt sometimes. Apple milk was like strawberry milk, but apple essence.

There were a lot of tree-lined boulevards.

The shape of these leaves had us enchanted.

Remember the green delivery bike?  Look at all these mail options!  I wonder if my post cards ever made their destinations?  I hope I chose the right slot!

It was interesting how the scooters had a place on the streets for stop-lights.  There were two areas.  The one in front of the cross-walk were for those who wanted to make a left turn, but instead of doing that, they go to the right, and get in this box, to cross the street (they were going to turn left from).  The second box is for them to get ahead of all the cars, since they can lane share, and get ahead of them, anyway.  Makes space for them.  It makes for a busy intersection, but it WORKS!

Getting to Taipei

William was so excited to be flying ANA, a United partner airline.  Bummer was, his new 'silver card' for United came in the mail while we were gone.  

This new 767 had all the bells and whistles, including seat to seat messaging.  He so wanted to be seated away from me, so that he could text me.  Problem was, it would stop my movie and make me look at it.  I didn't see the last 5 minutes of 'We Bought a Zoo.'  So, how does it end after they get the inspection cleared, and the rains stop?

William wants to be a pilot (and a truck driver) when he grows up.

We flew into Songshon (which is in the city), so we only needed to take the MRT to our hotel.

For $60 per night, we didn't expect much.  The linens were high count cotton, and nice.

We got 2 bottles of water per day.

And a TV to talk to...

The light came on in the closet when we opened the doors.

Basic bathroom, which was older, but they kept clean.

My friend, Jun-yi had recommended Kao Ching for a restaurant.  It was amazing!  We kept going back.   Here is my angel (notice the halo) using our point and speak book to ask, "We want to take it with us." Which they did gladly.  Too many left-overs!

The lady downstairs spoke excellent English, our waiter enough to get what we wanted when we ordered.

There are wonderful pictures with English explanations.

These are crab and egg.  William ate these every time we went.

These are pork in the middle, and steamed, but they heat them in an iron pan, so that the bottoms are crunchy.  OMG so incredibly good!

I saw these at the convenience stores.  Egg is a good protein, and I'm sure there's some sort of soy broth in these.  Just thought it was interesting.  And the convenience stores were 7-11, Family Mart, and other familiar ones like those we have in Japan!

It was a great first day in Taipei!

Field Trip to the GEORGE WASHINGTON

A third grader's parent obviously has pull on the George Washington, as it was arranged for all of the third graders at Sullivan's elementary to take a tour of the George Washington.

The kids were very excited.  Several parents work on the George, so they all have a vested interest in seeing what it's all about.

We were told it is 20 stories high (but I'm not checking the underwater part).

Only one marine stands in the kids' way.

Yep, they're boarding the ship!

In the hanger bay, we saw this boarding ceremony.  A Japanese admiral was also visiting that day.  :)

Tim forgot to come see us, but we saw where he works.

And then we started up the stairs, and stairs, and stairs!

This is where air traffic control is on the ship.

It's like a game board!

This lady was so fun, and very animated about her job.

They were silly enough to ask for questions.

She answered them well.  Each plane is represented, and there was even a pull-out drawer that had which ones were in the hangar bays.  A helicopter has two sizes, folded-up, and with rotors out (takes up more room).

Flight deck fun.

It's just the trainer.  2 days before Rihanna was here with the Battleship movie stars.

One of the 4 flight lines.

William paying attention.

The control room.

Chondra is in charge!

No, Brooke is!

Brooke was visiting, and got to come along.  All these years her dad has worked on this ship, and this is the first time on board!

Cheesing for the camera!

The weather computer.

William is in the control seat now.

View from the control room.

The view back towards Yokosuka.

We learned a lot, and most of the buttons that got pushed didn't start the ship.  :)

Emergency announcement and bells.

This is where the captain (an admiral) hosts visitors when in foreign ports.

Elizabeth showing you the size of the George Washington bust.

This guy uncovered this document.

It is the original document that George Washington wrote asking for 3 ships to defeat the British.  Technically, this began the United States' navy!

Warren with a question about it... but never got picked.  Only so much time before the next batch of 3rd graders were to come onboard.

Jackie with a souvenir dollar.

Puget Power!

Thank you for the tour!

Class picture on the way home.

Blossoms are finally popping!  But I know it's spring, because construction has started!!!  :)