So, through some circumstances that I would rather not get into, I finally decided that I need to buy a real blanket. I had been making due for the past four months with a pile of sheets, towels, and a couple piddly little things that didn’t cover my whole body. Sad, I know. But no longer, for I bought an “inexpensive” quilt this afternoon.
When I say “inexpensive”, what I really mean is that I got completely hosed. You know you got took when the rest of the staff gives your salesman a round of applause as you leave. It felt vaguely like a midget head butted me in the groin.
So Chinese New Year was relaxing and uneventful. I did some exploring around the city, down in Xindian. Xindian is a beautiful little river town south of Taipei. Nice parks, cool riverwalk, and some seriously delicious Sri Lankan curry wraps. Not much else to say.
This past weekend I went to Pingxi for its famous lantern festival. Basically, at the end of Chinese New Year, people let off these person-sized hot air balloons fueled by a butane ball of fire. Hundreds and hundreds of these “lanterns” were let off and, even in the rain, the streets were packed with onlookers and foodstands. Sometimes the lanterns are set off wrong and either run into trees or catch fire in the air and crash.
Some memorable things from the hash run… Singing karaoke in an old family farm house surrounded by high-rise apartments. Drinking with the mayor and police chief of the town of Danshui. Getting lit and shooting off fireworks in the streets. Learning to play Liars Dice in Chinese. Good times.
Anywhoo, nice photos in this one will hopefully makeup for my lack of gab. Chinese classes are going well. I am really making progress.
