Friday, April 29, 2011

Down with the sickness redux

Having fun waiting for the doctor at the clinic right now.  We were going to start a dance party but it's not allowed.


Monday, April 25, 2011

Men plan, fate laughs

Been a busy few weeks since my last post. Studying Chinese is getting more intense at the grammar becomes more complex. There was a hitch with my original plan for a 2ish year tour in Taipei to complete a business degree. As it turns out it would be more like 3-4 years and the university credits I have earned thus far would not apply in the system here. Sadly, a 3-4 year study tour is too long a period of time considering the opportunity cost of not working and spending my late twenties in an efficient manner.

With a course laid in the only question remains is when do I return to a US school to make good on those credits and complete a business degree as efficiently as possible?

It's disheartening to enter a grand scheme only to have it not come to full fruition. Good thing I'm not planning a war over here!

Oh well, to make myself feel better I have posted some almond bubble tea. Oh yes!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Flavor!

Did some errand running today.  Got a haircut and talked to some shopkeepers for a school project.  Realizing around 6:30 that I had nothing to eat all day Matt and I went to a traditional Taiwanese restaurant and had some mushrooms, beef in sauce and pork.  I don't know if its because I've been sick for a week but these flavors were vivid and amazing.


Saturday, April 2, 2011

Bacon Lung

Most of the time when I get sick with the flu or cold or something it's during a day where I really want to do something really bad. Like today for instance, there is a tomb sweeping parade down the street I live on, and I'm going to have to bail on the Dylan concert. It probably wouldn't be so bad if the parade didn't include thousands of firecrackers and drums. It would be amazing, however, if I didn't have this pounding headache.

Mercifully the DR MED pharmacy right down the street from my house was open on the holiday and I was able to, using charades and broken Chinese, get the correct medicine to help with the symptoms.

This is the part of the post where I lay blame. It's your fault, that's right you. Thanks bunches.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Fishin'

Instead of sleeping it was decided that shrimp fishing through the entire early morning would be a good idea. It certainly was. Took roughly a 40 minute scooter ride to get to Lujhou city. Grabbed some dumplings then did some fishing for shrimps for a couple of hours while drinking really bad American import beers.

Get your shrimps on

The shrimp pool

Notice the centuries old arcade machines in the background

Deep Fried

In Taiwan if you go to any night market there is going to be one or many street stalls selling fried bits of plant, animal or fungus. This is good news as once you deep fry something it becomes three times more delicious. Tonight I went to the chicken warrior stall (no idea what it's real name is) at the 737 night market. Got some deep fried cauliflower, chicken bits and breaded tofu. This is all then sprinkled with an unknown white powder and cayenne pepper.

Fried Mushrooms

Chicken Warrior

An unhealthy spread

Apparently later we're going fishing for shrimp at like 2am so I'll see if I can get pictures of what that is all about.