Sunday May 5th, 2013
Ah…what a day. Long, tiring and mentally draining. Let’s see
if I can write this Taffy while doing today justice. So, here we go before I
fall over unconscious! XD
Amelia, my dear American exchange student friend that
doesn’t live in Taipei, is visiting for a week. In the morning, we met up at
the subway station to attend church together. Exiting the station and emerging
outside, I suggested we sit down so Amelia could eat her pineapple breakfast in
peace. As she began nom-nom-ing away, I looked over to the bus stop sandwiched
in between the two roads. One glance made me do a double-take and then squint
to see if I could make out a familiar looking shape. It took only a few seconds
for my mind to become confident that the shape was indeed who I thought it was.
The long blonde hair, a slim figure and the headphones dangling from the shirt,
no doubt it was him. Hurrying to the crosswalk, I arrived just went two seconds
remained of green walking time. Therefore I had to wait out the red light.
During this time I was excitedly motioning Amelia over and explaining the
situation.
Across the street, a guesstimate of 50 feet away, sat my
husband contently perched on a rail waiting for the bus. In all of Taipei, I
happened to spot him. What are the odds?! I just had to run by and say hello,
(1) because he’s my husband and (2) because it’s just too much of a coincidence
not to point out. While waiting for the crosswalk light to turn green, I tried
to get his attention by calling out his name. With no success, I decided to
wait it out until I could cross the street to him.
BUT he hopped off his railing perch, picked up his bag and
had his eyes locked on to a target of an approaching bus. Oh no! My husband
would get on the bus and leave without seeing his wife, who is so ridiculously
close considering the size of Taipei. I couldn’t let that happen! So it
switched from me alone calling out his name half-heartedly to both Amelia and I
belting it out combined with arm waving. Heck, even an older Taiwanese man
sweetly joined in shouting “JOREN!!!!” Alas, he boarded the bus. Darn red
pedestrian light!
We persisted with arm waving hoping to catch his glimpse
even when seated in his chariot. By some stroke of luck, he settled in a seat
on the side closest to my location and happened to spot his wife. Even from far
away, I saw the surprised reaction on his face mixed with humor from the
situation. As the bus drove off, I held out my hand as if woefully asking,
‘Why? Why are you leaving me?’ In the last few seconds of sight, he gracefully
blew a kiss with a wide sweep of his arm. Perfect way to end this incredibly spontaneous,
hilarious circumstance. Amelia threw in the comment that it was as if a scene
taken straight from a romantic movie just took place. So close yet too late,
the girl didn’t catch her match in time. What a great story to add to our
interesting relationship as a married couple. XD
Church service was great today. Loved the sermon and the
friends that accompanied it. With Amelia and Marike (a German chica), we
enjoyed lunch at our favored Indian “Masala House” restaurant. Cheap and
delicious, it’s become a favorite among exchange student church buddies. This
round of chicken curry with naan bread seemed a tad spicier. I loved it! I
gotta try making this back in America! ;D
From left to right: Marike, Amelia and yours truly
Happily filled with Indian food, out and onwards we went. As
a pair, I took Amelia to the famous clothing night market near Houshanpi MRT
station. This is the place in Taipei to buy cheap clothing from a fairly large
variety of styles. Spring clothes are taking over the winter selection, a
thankful change considering the weather is changing into melting humans phase.
:P No, it’s not that hot…yet.
We weaved through the numerous streets and allies filled
with all sorts of clothing. It was the first time I actually went through a
clothing area with the mindset of a shopper thanks to having a female friend
with me. Shopping with a guy friend or host parents, I can’t do because I feel
like an inconvenience since they aren’t shopping. So with Amelia I felt freer
and we fed off each other with clothing advice, opinions and merry banter. Each
of us purchased a few articles of clothing that caught our attention, crossing
our fingers that they would fit us since there are no changing rooms in this
night market.
I ended up with four new pieces: two shirts, a dress and
layback pants. All were really eye-catching with definite Taiwanese fashion
incorporated in. Not only a souvenir in that sense but I finally took part in
the cheap clothe shopping aspect of this country’s culture. AND there’s yet
another reason why I let go a bit to buy these clothes…bargaining. I
bargained…in Chinese…in Taiwan. BOOMSHAKALAKA!!! Andrea got skillz! 3 out of
the 4 stores where I bought something enabled bargaining and I successfully
brought down the price in each of them. My technique was to ask first, look worried
as if it’s too expensive and maybe give a soft moan or fidget around. Some
storeowners lowered the price themselves and I would try to go lower. And I
succeeded! Several US dollars were knocked off of each of them, which is pretty
good considering Taiwanese clothing is already cheap. For the most part,
fashion shirts are usually $10 or less and dresses are lower than $20. It’s
really good for American prices but Taiwan has got me thinking that even $10
calls for consideration before spending. Anyway, I totally had a blast with
testing out my Chinese to bargain and even taught Amelia, a shy girl, how to
knock down the prices on clothes she liked. I love having at least bargained in
Chinese once before I left Taiwan. Priceless (excuse the pun) experience. :D
Somehow we managed to run through more or less the whole
market before Amelia had to head back. Probably was good to do so when we did
cuz our minds were mentally draining. I was even guilty of light-headedness
most likely from dehydration (no water was nearby, only sugary drinks). So I
dropped her off at the subway station and retraced my steps back to the market.
No, I didn’t go back in but instead went past it to another destination. Near
the close Raohe night market (another night market but not clothing based)
stands a temple. Host father said that from 8AM-8PM today, there would be a
parade celebrating Taiwan’s beloved goddess, Mazhu. That means there would be
the possibility offffffff BA JIA JIANG! Hands down, no question about it, I had
to check it out!
Loud Chinese fireworks violently being set off and music
being blasted, there was no doubt a celebration was ensuing. A mass of people
formed a crowd around the temple where groups would perform. Filed down the
street in front of the temple, an extensively long line of parade volunteers
waited for their show time. It reminded me a bit of the famous Macy’s Parade
for beloved holidays, just Chinese version on a lower budget.
I walked along the street to see the lineup, hoping for Ba
Jia Jiang to be amongst the procession. Much to my sadness, none were spotted.
I could’ve gone further to check but the street was feeding into a shady
looking area, which an alone foreigner does not feel comfortable or safe in at
all. But basically cars or small flower floats that looked exactly like these
composed of the entire queue, except for a couple small groups like lion
dancing and musicians.
Dinnertime and awhile before I could arrive at the house, I
chose to buy sustenance then and there. Last time I visited the Raohe Night
Market, it was PACKED with food stands. Today they were cleared out for the
parade, leaving the streets extremely bare for exiting acts in an almost
uncomfortable sense. I did locate one stand of stinky tofu and spotted dinner
ahoy! A quick process of fry two tofu blocks, slice them in half, top with
pickled veggies and sauce and viola! Done!
Here’s the final product. I had no idea what the red speckle
spice on the pickled vegetables was but it didn’t seem to change the flavor at
all. With that being said, I was very disappointed with this stinky tofu
because it lacked flavor big time. In fact, don’t even call it stinky tofu
because it didn’t even have a scent. The only thing I liked about this was the
pickled veggies. Even when actively searching for the beloved, iconic stinky
tofu taste, it was nearly non-existent. Though I wasn’t a fan since I like
stronger tastes (taste not smell), I believe this type would be a good version
to introduce stinky tofu first-timers to.
With a bus ride and stop by Hi-Life for a tea egg, I arrived
back at the house to see whether or not my four clothing purchases fit. Fingers
were crossed for sure. Fingers, of course, aren’t miracle workers. Three of
them reached an ‘ok’ status with one soaring to ‘LOVE!’ status. Unfortunately
the ‘LOVE!’ status had a gaping hole in the sleeve even though it was from a
brand new package. Wearing it will have to be postponed until I can ask my
mother to repair it in America. Even so, I’m happy to have truly experienced
Taiwan clothing shopping culture along with Chinese bargaining. Plus these
clothes are light so it’s not a burden for my luggage and I’ll still wear them.
Overall, twas a successful fun-packed day with good times
compressed in. I liked every hour of today! It was a very good use of my
remaining limited time in Taiwan. So without further ado, I’ll catch y’all next
Taffy! Bye-bye!
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