Recovering from illness
S has been sick for a couple of days, but today he insisted on having fish balls. This means going to 王記府城肉粽 down the block, which–although known mainly for their zongzi (bamboo-leaf-wrapped sticky rice)–also serves a mean fish ball soup. After eating, we sat on a bench and watched the traffic go by.
Off Coffee
I don’t think I’d like to drink anything that was “off,” thank you.
Taiwanese dogs
People in Taipei have a very different relationship with their dogs than I’m accustomed to. Part of it is pragmatic: with the density of the city and the reliance on scooters for transportation, I guess it’s inevitable that people will bring their dogs along for the drive. With no one batting an eye. Well, except me. Even worse are the dog strollers. … Read More
taiwanese lychees
One of the simple, but luxurious things about living in Taiwan is the access to fresh lychees — and because the season is short, you *really* appreciate them. (The season is sadly over, but we managed to snag these at a small vendor today.)
URLs on a scrolling marquee are just wrong
Scrolling neon signs are everywhere in Taipei, and often in the most incongruous places–it’s like no one notices how much it ruins the perfectly nice university gate, local park, or even temple, behind it. It carries an ugly touch of modernity that isn’t even that modern in our smartphone world. Really, are you supposed to read the URL, remember the … Read More
spotted in a window
“Are you lost little one?” asked the bear gently. “Yes,” said Bitsy. “I have to find my house – it has a blue door.”
a pack of peanuts
The translation on the back of this pack of garlic peanuts is fun: “The seed is big, delicious. And tasty. It is the best choice for snacks and the company when drinking.”
MRT restrooms
Alarm buttons, anti-spy camera detection, and squat toilets — all courtesy of the MRT.
Random concert in Ximending
Hipster-folk meets traditional wind instrument