Saturday, we went out to a tourist town, Ying ge, that is well know for its pottery. As we don't have a car, we decided to take the train. The train is not like the MRT is many ways. For example, there are no easy to read diagrams and almost everything is written in characters. You don't see many Westerners. But with a little luck, we found a very pleasant man who spoke some English and was taking the train in the same direction. He told us when it was our stop and we got off. Of course, we exited from the train station in the wrong direction so the guidebook wasn't too helpful. Then an older woman, who didn't act like she was too pleasant saw us. She grabbed a young couple and told them that they would help her help us. They asked where we wanted to go and then the old woman set off. She never spoke directly to us, looked at us or smiled but took us directly to our destination. Then she and the young couple disappeared in their separate directions.

Ying ge has a lovely pottery and arts district. You can buy all sorts of dishes and pottery and art items. We wandered around for several hours and then went into the Arts Cafe for a cup of coffee. We sat out on the second floor balcony listening to street musicians and watching the crowds go by. It was a great way to spend the afternoon.

Of course, we bought a few things. Who could resist! We got some square dishes and some of the matching pieces. We bought some toys. Then I told Mark that I wanted to but the dragon picture/sculpture that we had seen. He, of course wanted to buy the fish instead. So we wandered back to the store and bought it. The picture/sculpture that I had seen as a dragon, Mark saw as a fish. We liked the same piece of art.

Then back to the train with our treasures and back to Taipei. We were the only Westerners we saw the entire day. What a shame. It was a great place to explore.

Farmers Branch, Texas recently made it a little more difficult for illegal residents of the United States to live there. As a person who has jumped through the hoops to live in another country, Taiwan, I say Way-to-Go!! Farmers Branch.

Although I do not plan to work, as the trailing, female spouse, I had to get a certified copy of my marriage certificate, which I wrote about in an earlier blog, and subject myself to a humiliating medical examination that you will not read about. Now that Mark has his ARC (alien resident certificate), he can apply for mine. I cannot apply for myself. We will be applying for it next week. The delay is due to Mark needing a Visa for China PRC and his passport is needed for both processes. Of course, I could just enter and leave Taiwan every 60 days since I have a Visa for that. But that would make me illegal if I stay for 61 days. Call me silly, but I am not interested in breaking the laws of Taiwan. I am not interested in breaking the laws of any country, even the laws I believe are silly.

So I went through the medical exam (not required for male trailing spouses) and I am filing all the proper paper work, just as I did before we came. I have also, just today, 28 days after arriving, enrolled in my first Mandarin class. I want to be able to speak to the people who are so graciously hosting me in the language of their country even though I know that I am linguistically challenged.

Many Taiwanese have learned to speak my language and often help me when I am confused. It only seems fair that in exchange I not break their laws and learn to speak enough to get around by myself.

Early this morning, I realized that for practical purposes, I am selectively illiterate in Taiwan. When I go to the grocery, I look at the pictures and scan for familiar name brands, but I cannot read the labels. Today I got two bills in the mail. I am sure they are my utility bills but I don't know what I have been billed for. I know how much they are and I know where to pay them. I suppose there is a due date but I cannot read that either.

So much for life's necessities. As for life's pleasures, I might as well be back in the United States. Over the weekend, Mark and I explored the older neighborhood that is near our apartment. Within two blocks of our building, we found a McDonalds, a Pizza Hut, and a Blockbuster Video Store. There being able to read English, not Mandarin, is not a disadvantage. Both the elementary school and the junior high school have signs in English, as does the park and nature preserve near our building.

On Wednesday, I went to a class about Taiwan teas. It was just suppose to be a 2 hour class, but it turned into a real adventure.

The class was held at the Taiwan Tea Association offices, in the oldest part of Taipei City. We tasted green teas, Oolong teas, and black teas. They are all from the same species of plant, Camellia Sinensis. The difference is in how they are processed. All Oolong teas are from Taiwan, most black tea is from China and other Asian countries. Green teas can be from China or Japan.

After the official class, a group went out to lunch and I tagged along. We talked the tea master into coming with us. He was a great guy about 70 years old. He splits his time between Taipei and Los Angles with his tea business. He took us to a restaurant and ordered an amazing amount of food, but it only cost us each about $3.00 American. Then he showed us around the oldest part of Taipei City where all the markets for dried foods, spices, and textiles are.

Then off to his shop for another tea lesson. This one concentrated on Taiwan teas and how to prepare them and serve them. It was a terrific way to spend a rainy afternoon. I was the first to leave about 4 p.m. I would love to take visitors there again.