Epilogue: Day Four

As you no doubt noted, day three ended with us back in Changhua. But we had a free day on our hands and besides, Changhua was feeling so backwater and our memories of normal, filling food had been stirred. So we got all adventurous and took the bus into Taizhong. It took an hour, which for some reason felt like FOREVER. This may have been because the bus driver kept getting off the bus to smoke and buy betel nuts. I guess I admire his adherence to the no smoking rule, but it disconcerning to see your driver leap off the bus and beginning puffing away at red lights. We finally found ourselves in our coveted, solidly American restaurant known as TGI Fridays. Paul got a tasty hamburger and I went all crazy and ordered the Kung Pao Chicken Wrap, as there no Jack Daniels chicken (or Jack Daniels anything) to be found. We sat in a window seat--which is where we always sit in restaurants because we are either good for business or cannot sit next to the Taiwanese patrons, take your pick--and enjoyed being in a sit-down place where what you got would not be a surprise. Afterwards, we visited the Chung Yo department store, which is like 12 floors in three towers. It's really, really big. In the process, we made two very exciting discoveries. 1)The toy floor also carries Sylvanian Families and for cheaper than in Taipei. They even had the updated version of the three story house (which I so had). Their selection was also way better. 2)Jason's, the mecca of Americanism where we bought Dr. Pepper and A&W Rootbeer, just opened in the basement! Yes, now it will only take 1 hr and NT$150 to purchase the two finest soda pops on the planet as well as all the Caesar dressing and Milanos we can eat. Surely, the good life is upon us.