A new journey.
I began a new journey a couple days ago. Sept. 20, to be exact. Here's the very simple itinerary.
Sept. 4-->Taipei, Taiwan
(My flight--the absolute "cheapest" you can find--took me from LA to SFO to Tokyo to Taipei...whew)
Sept. 20: return to LA
In between, I shall be everywhere and anywhere in Taiwan.
As you can probably guess. I am currently in Taipei, and it's strangely Saturday. I've missed my Friday entirely. En route here, a couple quick thoughts. I found it ironic and moronic that I traveled for hours and woke up early, only to end up 300-odd miles above where I started, in San Francisco. But soon enough, my true travels got underway. Tokyo is an amazing city, if its airport is any indication. It's one of those places that I've always wanted to visit, ever since being obsessed with Japanese history, especially 17th century onward and the Shogunate era, as a kid. One day I'll get over there. It's quite expensive. While waiting for my next flight I had a Sapporo beer and a bowl of udon in an air conditioned lounge playing American music. It was very yum.
My flight to Tokyo, the bulk of my journey, was uneventful really. Long as hell. And the movie selection so-so. I initially thought I'd have my pick from the console...not to be.
My flight to Taipei, however, was a lot better. I watched "Made of Honor"...and acted like a zombie with my seat mate. Poor gal, I was half asleep a lot of the time, and I kept changing her video channels and volume level, thinking they were mine. Then I walked into her stepping back from the bathroom stall. She was very understanding.
For the record, I'm not that into the kosher meals, and kinda regret that I got them.
When I finally arrived in Taipei--we got in early, and there was a huge line of people going through customs/passport control. But they stamped my passport (whew!) and then let me in. Unfortunately, they stamped on top of a page that has received like...500 stamps already, on top of each other. So much for starting a new page, turning a new leaf...blah blah. Oh well, next time. Gotta travel more.
This is my first time out of the country, literally, in two years. WTF. In fact, it's my first vacation since May 2007. And seriously, I will never let that happen again. That's a promise.
My hotel in Taipei is great. It's the "Evergreen"--er, "Everspring" hotel. And I think it's one of those "love hotels"--but it's very very clean, with a super duper bathroom--whirlpool with lights, flashing lights!, and one of those porn star showers that have clear windows...and a detachable shower head.
I absolutely love it.
I also absolutely love Taipei. The nearly 3 million population city (2.63 million, I believe) is pretty cramped. Supposedly the pollution levels are quite high. I see many motobikes/mopeds and their drivers have face masks covering the bottom parts of their faces. JoJo said it was because of the wind, maybe, but I think not. Some even wear it while walking around. I guess they've become a lot more health conscious recently, or at least, enviro conscious. The trip over from the airport was a bit hectic, and I was worried I wouldn't find JoJo, but find him I did eventually. Tonight I need to pick up Michelle...a bit of a pain, but better then her arriving disoriented and lost. I think she'll love the hotel too. And perhaps after I drop her off I'll hit a night market...Shilin or Shida...
Just saw my GonGon and PoPo...PoPo looks great! She's radiant, with a lovely hairdo. GonGon seems a bit depressed as his eyesight is failing and he has to travel daily to a local hospital for meds. But hopefully he perks up a bit. Taipei's weather is warm, humid, but not too hot. Lots of places have air conditioning. Including, again, my "love" abode. I think I slept better there than I do at home...which has no real air condtioning and is frekin hot.
Okay, what a rambly message, but I'm excited to be here. Love the transport station...am ready to enjoy this hiker's and eater's paradise.
Stay tuned!
Sept. 4-->Taipei, Taiwan
(My flight--the absolute "cheapest" you can find--took me from LA to SFO to Tokyo to Taipei...whew)
Sept. 20: return to LA
In between, I shall be everywhere and anywhere in Taiwan.
As you can probably guess. I am currently in Taipei, and it's strangely Saturday. I've missed my Friday entirely. En route here, a couple quick thoughts. I found it ironic and moronic that I traveled for hours and woke up early, only to end up 300-odd miles above where I started, in San Francisco. But soon enough, my true travels got underway. Tokyo is an amazing city, if its airport is any indication. It's one of those places that I've always wanted to visit, ever since being obsessed with Japanese history, especially 17th century onward and the Shogunate era, as a kid. One day I'll get over there. It's quite expensive. While waiting for my next flight I had a Sapporo beer and a bowl of udon in an air conditioned lounge playing American music. It was very yum.
My flight to Tokyo, the bulk of my journey, was uneventful really. Long as hell. And the movie selection so-so. I initially thought I'd have my pick from the console...not to be.
My flight to Taipei, however, was a lot better. I watched "Made of Honor"...and acted like a zombie with my seat mate. Poor gal, I was half asleep a lot of the time, and I kept changing her video channels and volume level, thinking they were mine. Then I walked into her stepping back from the bathroom stall. She was very understanding.
For the record, I'm not that into the kosher meals, and kinda regret that I got them.
When I finally arrived in Taipei--we got in early, and there was a huge line of people going through customs/passport control. But they stamped my passport (whew!) and then let me in. Unfortunately, they stamped on top of a page that has received like...500 stamps already, on top of each other. So much for starting a new page, turning a new leaf...blah blah. Oh well, next time. Gotta travel more.
This is my first time out of the country, literally, in two years. WTF. In fact, it's my first vacation since May 2007. And seriously, I will never let that happen again. That's a promise.
My hotel in Taipei is great. It's the "Evergreen"--er, "Everspring" hotel. And I think it's one of those "love hotels"--but it's very very clean, with a super duper bathroom--whirlpool with lights, flashing lights!, and one of those porn star showers that have clear windows...and a detachable shower head.
I absolutely love it.
I also absolutely love Taipei. The nearly 3 million population city (2.63 million, I believe) is pretty cramped. Supposedly the pollution levels are quite high. I see many motobikes/mopeds and their drivers have face masks covering the bottom parts of their faces. JoJo said it was because of the wind, maybe, but I think not. Some even wear it while walking around. I guess they've become a lot more health conscious recently, or at least, enviro conscious. The trip over from the airport was a bit hectic, and I was worried I wouldn't find JoJo, but find him I did eventually. Tonight I need to pick up Michelle...a bit of a pain, but better then her arriving disoriented and lost. I think she'll love the hotel too. And perhaps after I drop her off I'll hit a night market...Shilin or Shida...
Just saw my GonGon and PoPo...PoPo looks great! She's radiant, with a lovely hairdo. GonGon seems a bit depressed as his eyesight is failing and he has to travel daily to a local hospital for meds. But hopefully he perks up a bit. Taipei's weather is warm, humid, but not too hot. Lots of places have air conditioning. Including, again, my "love" abode. I think I slept better there than I do at home...which has no real air condtioning and is frekin hot.
Okay, what a rambly message, but I'm excited to be here. Love the transport station...am ready to enjoy this hiker's and eater's paradise.
Stay tuned!
posted by IJW at 9:24 AM
2 comments
