Cloudy in Beijing Blogging about my time in China

Five days in Taiwan

Upon leaving Taiwan I found my arms covered with mosquito bites. It's been two days later since I left the island and I'm still itching the skin.

A small price to pay for good weather. It felt like summer while I enjoyed my short 5-day stay in Taiwan. The temperature was around 80 degrees, and I had no need to burden myself with a jacket all the time. Instead, I saw people wearing shorts and sandals, their hair looking limp and moist in the heat.

Probably the best thing about Taiwan is the food. This is a picture of some salt-and-peppered tofu. So good!

Even the fried rice looks pretty.

I stayed in Taipei, Taiwan's capital. And while I was there I had the pleasure of visiting with an old childhood friend.

Tim is  a Chinese-American like me. Last year he decided to quit his job, leave America, and then move to Taipei. When I saw him for the first time in months, I gathered that Tim was quite pleased with his new life: I found him hungover, resting his head on a girl's shoulder, and holding the end of a hookah pipe in his hand.

Tim's goal is to find a computer programming related job. But in the meantime, he's been working as a club promoter. He told me that from about Wednesday to Saturday he's out all night. I asked him when he goes to bed. "It depends. But sometimes around 6 a.m." he said, somewhat proudly.

To no surprise, I ended up hanging out with him until the very next morning. For six hours we sang at a karaoke place. All the while he told me stories about his adventures and shenanigans in Taipei. Now I understand why he has that big grin on his face.

(And yes, that is a toilet above Tim's head. It's the sign to Taipei's toilet-themed restaurant. Go Pee-Pee or Go Poo-Poo, the website reads.)

There was also plenty of banter with my family. My grandmother says I need to set a goal and get married within five years.

"I didn't quite understand what you just said," I replied.

Still, I wish I could have enjoyed Taipei more. During the trip I found myself busy with work, only to later feel my efforts were for naught; story of my life.

But I did have time to enjoy this wonderful view.

So long Taiwan. Until next time.