Preparations under way

We're catching up on our vaccinations and health records for our move to Nepal - last weekend we proved we don't have TB after a skin test and chest x-ray.  We also had blood tests and got our teeth cleaned.

We've sold our car and furniture and have started packing up the few belongings we will keep.  In less than 2 weeks we will be on the plane heading back to the US for the summer; it is bittersweet - we are both very excited about going home and then to start our new jobs, but sad to be leaving our home for the last 3 years.

Taipei Lantern Festival - Year of the Dragon

Two years ago we went to the Taipei Lantern Festival and had a great time.  We decided to go again this year after hearing that the lanterns were to be especially impressive.  Well, apparently everyone else in Taiwan got that memo because, boy, was it crowded.  We spent so much time fighting to get through the masses of people that it was hard to enjoy the lanterns at all times.  There were some awesome displays though, and it was definitely an experience.

Temple close-ups

incense

intricate paint

jiaobei, or moon, blocks

Tea eggs

A pot of tea eggs brewing away at 7-11.  Wikipedia says this about tea eggs in Taiwan:

"In Taiwan, tea eggs are a fixture of convenience stores. Through 7-Eleven chains alone, an average of 40 million tea eggs are sold per year.

Also some people would say that the tea eggs' flavor is very addictive. It tends to linger in one's mouth because of the star anise used in the preparation. This spice has also commonly been used in teas from other countries, where they also report a similar addictive quality. Tea eggs can be made with or without cracks, but will still have the same flavor, but a different appearance. The most traditional way to prepare them is simply to make cracks in the shells after they are finished hard boiling, but before one soaks or boils them in the brine made out of tea, sugar, soy sauce, star anise, and cinnamon. All of these ingredients can be modified depending on a person's preference. Soaking the eggs for longer will result in more flavor."

We haven't tried them yet, but will soon!

Happy Year of the Dragon

Saying goodbye to the rabbit and hello to the dragon.  We celebrated yesterday with friends with lots of food - bbq for lunch and all sorts of traditional foods for dinner!

Cheeto fail

Seaweed flavored cheetos.  We bought them.  Ate a couple.  Decided they were gross.  In a moment of desperation ate a few more and confirmed they were gross.

Voting day

People lined up down the street from our apartment to vote in Taiwan's presidential election.