Taiwan Day 8 (Taichung 4)

 I got up around 9am and ate some food but not too much as I'm visiting 三舅媽 today.

I arrived around 10:30am and both 三舅媽 and 三舅 were there. Hello hello! 三舅媽 went for a hug and then I had to hug 三舅 too, couldn't let him miss out. It's a little less busy than usual. Honey is still alive and well! Despite her 16 years of age.

There was a new auntie there today helping fry eggs, doing dishes, and cleaning up tables. 

God I couldn't remember the names of the big sis and the Mr that works here! Rip.

As usual, stood/sat and chatted as usual, and looked at Honey.

At one point 三舅媽 told me to come down the back and she gave me a bracelet made of precious stones, and one for my bro with a horse to match his zodiac. She said that since I had a small wrist the bracelet should fit okay. She wasn't sure if Alan would wear the bracelet, I suggested he might put it on his bag. It's for good business fortune. Mine was for safety and peace.

I got treated to yummy noodles and side dishes. The 炸菜 was no longer chopped by 三舅 so it was a bit thinner and different. But the gluten, the tofugan, the noodles, the soup... Ahhhh this is the taste!

During my stay the Mr that works here delivered the electricity bill which was about $26000 for both units (next door). 

Shocker! I found out that it costs more in summer because the fridges need to work harder to maintain the temperature. 

Usually it's the other way round in NZ, winter bills cost more due to heating. 

They also structure the rates as the first xxx costs $5/watt, and then the next tier when you use over that amount costs $6/w, and so on, to promote saving energy. 

Around 12:40pm they started shutting down the stall and I asked if I could help with anything, and 三舅 just said help with stacking the chairs and putting them away. 

Then it was time to leave as they were finishing up. 

I headed towards my old neighbourhood. As I got to the intersection with the Police Station, I was shocked. They removed the 天橋! It was such a landmark and I enjoyed the view from up there... This hurts man. 

The Hang Ten on the corner was still there. 

I went to 大展文具行 and bought some pens, found that they had stamp books again! Gluestick, and another pouch bag. Also found an ita pouch that was quite pricey, but I did it cause I wanted to support. The total was $737.

Stamp book $220, ita pouch $370*, zipper pouch $69*, gluestick was $40 I think. 4 Simbalion markers, 2 Unipen waterproof markers, 1 Simbalion water proof marker (upon recommendation of the boss). I wasn't sure how much the pens cost... 

The * items weren't on 30% off. 

They turned the lights on when I was browsing the pouch area. There are a lot less toys outside than when I was small... 

Next, is towards my old street. 

I arrived at the 福德宮 that used to have the big old banyan tree. They had built up more of the altar area. It's hardly recognisable now. There were people there so I didn't stop in. They also removed the seats on the side...

The towards my old house. Seems like the bedding place is still there. The old water tower too. 

But the back part of my street... They starting to build a big tower building 大樓. I'm losing more and more of the old character... This sad...

My street hasn't changed too much. My old house still looks mostly the same. Same, but different. 

The fencing on the side of the house is what we used to have on our front yard fence and gate. 

The old Mike A conbini storefront... You can still see bits of it. 

And then, the gammy store. Happy to see they're still in business. TToTT

The boss was sorting out the eggs and went back to his till when I came into the drinks fridge. I got a Supau. The drinks were laid lying down. 

Then had a look at the snacks/sweets shelf. A lot less than before. The vita C wasn't there... The soy sauce and condiments row looked to be well stocked though. 

I paid up $45 for a Supau and Vita C of a diff brand. 

And then asked if I could take photos of the scale... Cause it was the same one as when I was a kid! I'm pretty sure!

I thanked the boss and left. I walked along back to the markets and looked at the parking lots which used to be juanchun housing...

And also at the little nook with the weird bunker structure. 

And at this poor banyan tree which was probably a juanchun original! 

Then back along to Qing Pink Park.

The little 社區 is still there. I didn't go in. I'd feel weird... I was also tired. 

Then had a sit down and rest at Qing Ping Park before heading back through the markets to pick up a Youbike at Dapeng Primary. 

I rode through 中央公園 towards where 姥姥's juanchun house was. I parked the bike and soaked in the energy of the place, and spent some time looking at the debris and the banyan tree we used to climb. Sadly, it was too scrubby and too debris for me to go inside confidently, and there were 2 birds I didn't want to disturb.

I looked at the various rocks and building debris, and managed to find one that was from a bathtub! I wonder if it's from our house's bathtub...