Today I got up early around 7am and finally crawled out near 7:30am to go to my dental appointment on time. Breakfast done, but it was still raining....
I walked down and had to make a decision. Do I call a taxi or do I buy a poncho and go? I still had 20 mins to get there before my appointment. I went into 7 but couldn't see the ponchos. Then I went into FamiMart and asked where theirs was - I bought a bigger one that was a better material and longer.
I put it on once outside and then OK let's go get a Youbike. I managed to borrow one of the last ones (phew) and a dark-skinned guy took the other one. We was in a short poncho, guy smart, later I realised it doesn't get caught in your knees when cycling.
I had to cycle fast but I forget there is a slight uphill going towards Shuinan so it wasn't as fast as coming home. The poncho kept riding up, but I managed to stay dry mostly.
I arrived and there were no bikes in the dock near the primary, so I parked it under the tree for a better chance of a drier seat if it was still drizzling when I came back.
I made it on the dot to the clinic, and took off my raincoat. I opened the door and asked the ladies where to put? And they said just hang it over the yellow moped (it was a Gogoro). Thank you.
I went in and they asked if I wanted to make an appointment - I said I was the 9am. Oh! You are Alice. They asked me for my Jianbao card on auto drive - I don't have one hahaha.
I sat for a wee bit and they asked about my trip this time around - I've already been! And fly back tomorrow.
A guy came in to deliver a stamp when I got seated, and then Dr Huang came at 9:10am. And commented to the stamp guy when he said "這麼早就上班" that he's already late by 10 mins. Lol. He replied "喔，你們還要準備，我們開門就好".
A lady walked in when I was halfway through my treatment, but I think she maaaaay be Dr Huang's wife. Not too sure.
My clean wasn't as painful today, perhaps cause it's only been like 3 months since. Just sensitive near the gum line. Dr did polish off my stains though with prohpy.
He said I should get my wisdom pulled sometime, as there's not enough space in my jaw and it's pushing on the other teeth. I need 1 week recovery time.
An Ah-bei came in and got seated just as I finished. I asked for the toilet and it was on 2F - their toilet still retains some of the original wall flower tile. Maybe even the original tap, cause it was a oblong handle type you turn, and it was old.
After I was done, I thanked them and paid $600. See you next time!!
After that I went to 三舅媽's place. It was OK busy. I hung up my poncho and put down my backpack on the shelf. 三舅 was going to 炒油蔥 and he said it takes like an hour. Honey wanted a hug so I carried her for a wee bit. Then I let her onto the ground. She just walked here and there abd eveb under the stove!! Gurl! Ain't it hot there!
I watched him do fry it for the whole time. He used lard, and added some salad oil. Then the red onions (chopped by machine) into the heated oil. And just stir so it doesn't burn. Scoop off the scum (because they didn't wash the onion). Until the onions become brown, float to the surface, pushes easily and follows the spatula, and the bubbles become fine and almost none. Then you turn the heat off and add some soy sauce for it to add some aroma. At some point I went to the dry goods store to buy 榨菜. The shop lady was happy that I bought my own bag and said that plastic bags are now expensive and very hard to get. I asked why? Oh it's because of the oil shortage.
When I got back I asked 三舅 about it. He said that it's true and they can't get more. It started 1-2 months ago (the shortage). And pointed out that their stock in the corner - once it's gone they will have none.
I also managed to add him on LINE, and he asked how to get to watch 棒球直播 on YouTube or similar. He said a retired teacher comes almost everyday and he watches live broadcast. We couldn't get it to work so he said he'll ask the retired teach. 三舅 also said he never wear pants, after commenting on how the mosquitos here keep biting. Only shorts. He did buy 4 pairs for their upcoming trip April 23-30 to China. In case it's cold. He bought 1 pair for his trip last time, but ended up wearing it once and then just shorts after. Hahaha.
After 三舅 was done with the onions, he just let it cool there. I went out and saw 三舅媽 picking off the tough bits off the 榨菜 so I went to help. Not too long after 三舅媽 fed me and I had 陽春麵 and added just a tiny bit of their chilli, which was quite spicy. They gave me a side with the pork bits and a braised tofu & egg. Delicious.
After eating I went back and helped finish picking the 榨菜 off. I asked 三舅媽aabout the plastic bag situation, and sje said it used to be $100 for a box, and not it's $500 for a box/bag.
Honey got picked up for her groom and wash. Once done with the 榨菜 it was pretty much time for them to tidy up. So I said my goodbyes and hugged everyone.
I said bye to the big sis but I don't think she realised/heard me.
Ah well. I went around and onto the main street to go to the bus stop. I took 82 to go to Chungyo Dept Store, not a lot of people were riding at this time of the day.
I headed to Eslite on 10F once here, opting to take the escalator so I could also see what's on the other floors. It stopped at like floor 9F, so I had to take the elevator up.
Eslite was big. They had 2 floors! I managed to find my book cover but also asked a staff if it was the right one because the packaging was different. Turns out I got the fat book one and not the normal one, which was just behind it. The lady at the checkout had to call the stationary lady (whose checkout was closed), and I ended up checking out at the stationary checkout. The stationary lady helped me and opened up the packaging to check/confirm.
I had a look around and ended up buying a papercraft kit (the same maker as the plant ones). They also had these gorilla massages for smartphone swiping sore hands, and high heel sore calves. The branding was funny.
Floor 12F was Daiso but the elevator doesn't go there - I got into the elevator and a lady going to 15F told me it's a 夾城 so I need to go 11F and walk up, (and the elevator just passed it as I hit the button), or 13F and walk down. Opps. Thank you lady. I went to 13F and walked down. 13F was an exhibition space - lots of temp stalls here. 12F was indeed like an inserted level. This Daiso had more stock but I couldn't find any of those dehydrator beads??? No oshikatsu sticks either.
Then I went down to 11F and saw the Eslite. This floor was a big Eslite bookstore and cafe. They have cool shelves.
OK enough mucking around let's go home. By the time I crossed the road and got to the bus stop 25 and 35 bus were already leaving the stop and waiting for the lights....
I ended up waiting from 2:18pm to like 2:40pm (the next 25/35 bus never showed up on time), and took a 303 since it goes to Taiwan Bouvelard. Turns out it goes the other direction and the final stop was the high school. Lol woops. The bus driver shouted out to me and told me it's the final stop. And I got on the wrong direction when I ask - doesn't this go to Maple Valley? Ah oh well.
I just walked out and checked the bus stop and they all stop here. So I G Maps and walked 10 mins to the next parallel big road and took 33 to get to 教師新村, which is actually even closer to 四叔's shop??? The stop before was Shinkon Mitsukoshi. Everyone got off here. There wasn' t much people on the bus. And then the driver didn't stop at my stop?? I pressed the button! I walked up and politely asked when the bus would stop at 教師新村 and the driver let me off as we were stopped at the lights, just past the bus stop. There was construction going on and he told me to be careful. Thanks driver.
Seems like the construction is redoing some pipes as they dug up the middle of the road and were adding concrete back in when I walked past. I took a detour around the alleys and a tiny back alley connecting the back alleys, and got to 四叔's shop. Phew. He had a friend visiting. I left my 榨菜 as it was so heavy, and went off to buy my bus ticket first.
I went by foot and took a sky bridge. The arcs were really pretty, and a building 2F next to the stairs had a tiny balcony, but really old wooden door and glass just like the juanchun. Nostalgic...
Some of the floor tiles were loose on the bridge and someone had stacked them on the side. Who knows how long this sky bridge would exist, they seem to be getting rid of them now.
What a privilege to be able to walk one.
I got to the Ubus station and purchased ticket. Then I took a bike back... One day I will actually go into Maple Valley and have a look.
Once back at the shop (parked at Shangshi Park) I got treated to tea and some Vita brand nuts with caramel flavouring. That was really nice?! There were 6 other flavours as they came in a new year pack, but some had garlic and some had pepper/salt... I think the caramel ones are the best lol.
四叔's friend was younger than me, they are bug hobby buddies. They talked bug, and ended up talking about his 3 dogs and how they came to be taken care of at his family. His family lives at Nantou, on the middle of the mountain, facing east side so they get the morning sun. It's a wooden house so it heats up quick. Lots of nature and vege fields near his house growing up... And he once captured a snake with his brother to take home lmao.
Guy sat from 3pm to 6pm just chatting with 四叔. I left just after 6pm and went home. Organised myself to go out to grab dinner and also see if could change Ange's Pom shirt for the women's version. They can change but can't refund the $100 difference, unless you buy like something else. Dang....
After debating a wee bit and tried calling Ange (but she was already asleep), I opted to just keep it as is and took measurements with the ladies version so I can modify it... Since it's just tailored slightly with with shorter crop and sleeve. It shouldn't be too difficult. Famous last words I bet lol.
Then onto dinner 中興素食. I got them to put the rice into my box so saved a bowl, and then took some soup. $95.
I thanked the lady, and went home. Goddam how do they make it taste so good?! Especially the stir fried green chilli?!?! And the hash... Everything yum... The kimchi... Dang...
OK so it is a wee bit greasy you can see it front the leftover juice in the box, but it doesn't feel heavy. Maybe that's why it tastes so good lol.
After dinner I ended up liquid pooping for a fair while... Dafuq... As long as it's not something more serious.
I just finished packing up the rest of the luggage and then showered and sleep.
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