A Day in Taipei

       We spent our first day learning more about Taiwanese culture and exploring the city.  Our first venture was to Tapei 101, the second largest skyscraper in the world.  It's design was inspired by bamboo and it is an architectural wonder. The elevator to the top is the world's fastest (and smoothest).  We took in all the views from the top. It's amazing to be in another country, yet still feel as though you could be at home. It reminded me of looking off the Empire State Building. Taipei is like Taiwan's New York City. From the top we could see buildings that went on forever.

      Lunch in Taipei was a new experience. Within the mall attached to Taipei 101 was a restaurant called Wasabi.  We could tell that it was nice, and it featured a lunch buffet. Most importantly, we could recognize some of the food on people's plates!  We realized it was a little more upscale after we went in, but it was well worth it. We tried many new foods-Greg even ate sushi.  My favorites were fried green beans, pork on a stick and the shrimp sushi.  On the list of what not to get again-some little doughy ball thing with spicy seasoning.  We still don't know what it was.

Let the scooter race begin!



My lunch was looking at me.



      We enjoyed a walk to Sun Yat Sen's Memorial.  This is a big gathering place where people fly kites, play with their children and just enjoy being outside. We did some major people watching during this part of the day and marveled at the Taiwanese lifestyle. Motor scooters are everywhere, and it's not uncommon to see a little child standing on the bike as it zooms down the road. There are lots of children, and they do seem to look at us curiously.  Several times today we realized we were the only Americans around.

       The most impressive site today was at  Longshan Temple. People from all over come to see the temple and pray.  We were amidst hundreds of mostly Chinese/Taiwanese worshipers.  We watched and listened, observing and respecting their rituals. Typically they buy food or flowers to place at the alters of the various gods they worship. They carry incense sticks to the gods and wave them and say prayers.  The sound of hundreds of people chanting was absolutely mesmerizing. 

       We're having a quiet night at the hotel and preparing for an early morning tomorrow. We will be  flying to Taitung, checking in to the Naruwan hotel, and then........... off to Hannah's Hope to get our little boy! We are so excited (and a little nervous) to get to meet our son.