Location: Taipei, Taiwan

I keep assuming that I’m going to sleep in late one of these days since I am not setting alarms anymore (yay!) but I just haven’t. I’m happy to report that the jet lag hasn’t been too terrible even though I’m 15 hours ahead. I woke up at 7am again, and got up to do some research and flight hunting before breakfast. Before I knew it the morning had flown by, so I ventured out for the afternoon to check out Lung Shan Temple.

My first temple! I know I’ll be seeing a lot of them in the upcoming months and after this visit I am pretty stoked about it. The black marble columns were topped with a red curved roof. Carved dragons and deities adorned every corner, brightly coloured and imposing. There were people of all ages milling about, and many locals praying at different parts of the temple with incense sticks burning away. Tables in the middle of each courtyard were covered in food and flowers and offerings from the people praying. A joss stick pot held many many burning sticks of incense which wafted a pleasant smell throughout the entire temple. I loved it. I sat down on black stones steps and contemplated religion and it’s role in my life for quite awhile. Deep stuff. I know.

Once I’d had enough of the incense I made my way over to Herb Alley, where traditional Chinese herbal drinks and medicines of all kinds were being made along a very narrow street (you couldn’t stand side by side with another person at any point). I didn’t stay too long because 1) I had no idea what anything was and wasn’t up to trying unknown foreign medicine 2) a lot of it smelled like hamsters. HAMSTERS. I have no idea what it was but around every corner I kept expecting there to be piles of hamster cages. The smell was so strong.

I wandered through Bopiliao, a cute artsy street, and over to Ximen- a neighbourhood which seemed familiar for some reason…

Turns out it was familiar… because it’s where I’m staying.

Once I realized I had made my way all the way home without recognizing almost anything I actually laughed out loud. I guess when you can’t read street signs and a lot of shops look similar it’s hard to know! Plus I guess I hadn’t wandered that far to begin with.

Oh well! I went back to the hostel for a drink of water and some AC (it was 29C today) and ended up visiting in the common area with a few people. I hopped the train again towards Shilin Night Market, the largest and most famous of them all and it turned out to be such a gongshow. There were absolutely massive lines snaking around street corners and alleyways full top to bottom with all sorts of food and trinkets. I did the entire loop and eventually found a steamed dumpling cart with barely anybody (not always a good sign but this was fine) and decided that was good enough. I found a stoop and people watched for awhile before a shock of exhaustion overcame me.

I’m back in my cubbyhole bed and keeping my fingers crossed I sleep for a really long time tonight. I need it!

Sav