Laughing All the Way

I've come to the conclusion that my blog is turning into a rather dull travel guide. Uploading photos has given me many technological frustrations, so you all will just have to wait. I have so many fabulous pictures and it is great fun taking and flipping through them, but stories need to be told, and it's best if they don't have to be remembered first.

So far, I have told you nothing but stories about doctor visits and scenery, and I thought all I'd have to talk about was food! Despite having a new variety of illness every week (sometimes every day!!), I am absolutely loving Taiwan and having a great time figuring out the little day-to-day things (since real exploring is not conducive yet).

Food has been sorely lacking. Everything has pork or some sort of shellfish in it, even some "vegetarian" dishes. Vegetarianism here has more to do with yin and yang instead of animals. This translates into no garlic or onions; but scallops, shrimp, and eggs are okay. I have been eating lots of chocolate, haagen-daz, steamed cabbage, and brown rice with lentils. My housemate brings us fabulous fresh bread from a German bakery in Tienmu (the international expat area), but it's not so helpful during Pesach. Costco here serves 100% pork hotdogs--certainly a far cry from Sinai glatt kosher in the states!! They do counterbalance it by having a phenomenal pesto pizza worthy of a mighty Moore.

For Pesach, I attended a seder at the World Trade Center Club. The following are a few notes learned during the attempt.

• Be sure to differentiate between the World Trade Center and the World Trade Center Club; they are not remotely close to each other.
• Remember that walking more than 2 minutes anywhere other than a shopping mall is considered a travesty, and do not instantly accept when a helpful bystander insists that you must take the next bus.
• Do not show up late to a seder in Taipei; it's over in 45 minutes. You will generally be right on time to eat though.
• If you offer a rain drenched kid the shelter of your umbrella, don't be surprised if he thanks you and then insults you for your audacity.
• Be sure to try the sashimi; it's delicious, and slip in a smart comment about Karaites when someone complains about the mozzarella stuffed chicken breast being on the seder menu.

Hag Sameach! I must go enjoy my Nutella smothered matzah.