Sunny Day!

And even though the rain returned (in a subdued fashion) as I'm writing this, I'll give it a pass because up until now, almost 3:00 in the afternoon, today has been gorgeous.

One of the many good things about today was finding Mapo Doufu for lunch at a 7-11. I could eat it every day. And those of you thinking 7-11 isn't a place to get lunch--forget what you know about 7-11 and check out some of the services offered at the (many, many) 7-11s in Taiwan.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7-Eleven_in_Taiwan

What a very small portion of Taipei looks like in the sun (and very convincing evidence for why I need to obtain a scooter):

Things you can buy here

Clearly, this chocolate is way cool...the juice, not so much...

More Pictures, More Rain

This torrential downpour will not let up, but I still made a valiant effort to get out and see things. The good thing is that almost no one else is there, which makes for better pictures. The bad thing is, well, it's pouring.

Chiang-Kai Shek Memorial Hall:

Pictures

All Shook Up

Not just a torrential downpour, but an earthquake.

Dear Taiwan,

Epic. First. Day.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/last_event/world/world_taiwan.php

Soaked

And when I say "raining", what I mean is, torrential downpour such that my umbrella kept turning inside out and I can no longer wear the clothes I was going to wear today. Day 1 in Taiwan is turning out to be not such a good day for exploring.

I guess that's what to expect when you show up during typhoon season.

Arrived

I made it! It took about 25 hours in all, so that was rough. But the hotel looks good and I am mostly unpacked this morning. I see I'm going to have to find some sort of general store--I need clothes hangers and a case of water. Other than that, it's raining today...good thing I packed nearly everything I own, to include an umbrella, much to the chagrin of the driver toting my bags.

“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” - Robert Louis Stevenson

Tomorrow is the big day, I am off to Taiwan for two months. Check back here to follow my adventures. Hopefully they are varied, frequent, and not too difficult.