Friday 6/12/09 - University tour

On Friday, Britton got fitted for glasses. In Taiwan, you can get a really nice pair of glasses and lenses and the eye exam for around $150 (less than half of what we would pay in the U.S.). I love the way his glasses look on him, a bit hipper than he's used too, and he'll be the only one in Tampa with those frames! Don't worry, these are just the sample lens prescription glasses.

For lunch, we met Shu-Fen at her office and got to meet her boss and co-workers. Shu-Fen works for a company that distributes high-end bicycle tires to bicycle companies, like Cannondale, internationally. Her generous boss gave us about ten pairs of tires to take home with us! That's a few more than we will need in the next ten years, so if you have a road bike (very skinny tires) and want me to send you a pair, please inquire, we have a selection.

After lunch we wandered around downtown and went to a famous noodle shop that always has a line of people waiting for noodles. Todd and Britton and I split a small bowl and it tasted...kinda like intestines (then it was confirmed, the soup is made from intestines). Hmmm, glad I tried it once but I don't think I'll try that one at home.

Then, Todd took us to see his university campus. This is a picture of the engineering building where Todd we be spending the next 3 years. The campus is very tranquil with shade trees, lawns, and sidewalks; a true college campus in the middle of a huge city.

The bike parking on campus is amazing! Todd and I are actually hidden in the sea of bikes in this picture but you can't even find us! You really have to remember where you parked your bike.

This is a picture of the student center on campus, as it clearly say on the sign! We stepped inside here to look around, admire the coy pond, and use the bathroom.


I took this opportunity to take a picture of a typical toilet in Taiwan, the Japanese squat toilet. Don't cringe, it is actually quite comfortable to use as it is much easier for most women to squat than to hover, 'nuf said.













This is another picture on campus. Yes, that is double deck bike parking! Just pull a lever to lower the bike to the sidewalk! This is my kinda place!

Britton went to try out a $100 haircut place (= 3 U.S. dollars). You actually insert your money into the blue vending machine (who needs a receptionist?) and it gives you a ticket to wait in line for your haircut. Upstairs in a tiny both, Britton had his haircut and then was vacuumed to rid him of the stray hairs. A unique experience and a pretty good haircut.




That night we went to yet another night market to go to a Thai restaurant. Deeper into the market we got a "fire and ice" pastry - a hot sweet bun with a frozen slice of butter; not exactly the health food that we are used to but it was pretty good! This pic: Todd and Shu-Fen excited with pastry anticipation.