Taipei, Taiwan - Week 2

Our second week in Taipei was really similar to our first week - a lot of eating, shopping, watching movies and catching up on all sorts of shows.

On the bus to meet some of my mom's friends for dinner

On the subway - look at the art along the wall - a bit ominous

The view from the rooftop of my mom's apartment complex

On Sunday, June 16, we had lunch with my Jr. High School friend's (Jackie) grandma! She doesn't look 86 at all!

She's so cute!

We then went to the National Palace Museum

In case you can't tell, it is super hot

It felt like the entrance was a mile away

Walking up stairs in the heat is brutal

Here are some of the shots I secretly took of the famous jade sculptures at the National Palace Museum. It is forbidden to take pictures but I'm a stealth rebel...

Meat shaped stone - really quite detailed carving of a piece of stewed pork

Jadeite cabbage - a piece of jadeite carved into the shape of a Chinese cabbage head!

Qing dynasty ivory carvings

Jadeite

Wine vessel of the Shang Dynasty - made of bronze 1700-1122 B.C.

We've watched a lot of movies here in Taipei and before the movie starts, there is an intro to "VieShow Cinemas." One of the cartoon characters reminds me of my nephew, Joshua.

Here's one screen shot

Here's a side by side comparison...

During one of our shopping excursions, Paul couldn't resist trying on this Van Damm looking jean vest. I wanted him to buy it but he refused. I'm thankful that he snapped a few photos of himself though. This is the only one he would allow me to post.

Can you hear the cheesy 80's montage music playing in the background?

The courtyard at my mom's apartment is pretty.

We would walk by on our way to the exercise room

Paul's workout consisted of punching this statue

Also courtesy of my mom's courtyard - bugs that bite!

They were quite itchy

Oh, and I finally fixed my phone - it cost me 7200TWD (about $240USD) but it was fixed within 30 minutes. So, if anyone is ever in need of getting their iPhone fixed in Taipei, go to iPhonefix, about two streets behind Ming Yao Department Store take the Bannan (blue MRT line) to Zhongxiao Dunhua Station (exit 3).

In case you want to know exactly where it is...68 Lane 233, Section 1, Dunhua South Road, Daan District

Before

After - like brand new!

One of the things we wanted to do while in Taiwan was to get Paul's back to feel better. He had 6 sessions with this most special chiropractor which my dad and my stepmom were nice enough to drive us (about an hour away) twice a week for 3 weeks. I was able to capture some pictures from time to time...

Paul waiting to be tortured

Paul with his doc

After this appointment, we spent some time with my dad, stepmom and two half-brothers. But I got to visit my grandmother (on my dad's side) first.

My grandma is 94! I haven't seen her since I was 12 years old.

 After dinner, we headed to Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf and the Shilin Night Market.

Couples Bridge aka Valentine's Bridge

Some cool reflections

With my dad and stepmom, Joanna

Paul is excited to see somewhere other than the mall or movie theater

With my half-brothers, Thomas and Lincoln

A couple in front of the Couples bridge

Trying to be artsy

Different view of the bridge

Paul is owning it

Full moon with bridge

We then headed to the Shilin Night Market where my brother tried to get me to eat stinky tofu. I avoided it at this night market but he was successful a week later...

There are carnival like games at the night market

Or, if you fancy mah-jong...

It's just a lot of small shops and food stands - similar to other night markets we've been to - just more organized

But the first time we saw these furry backpacks sold - it's all the rage here

Frying some chicken - it was actually quite tasty

This is the most famous place to get special fried chicken 

Sausage stand

Night market frenzy

With consistent wifi, I've been able to FaceTime with my nephews too. Branden and Joshua are getting so big!

Branden always prefers to see Uncle Paul

Joshua thinks I live in the computer