Dishes And Heading Back To Taipei

On the way back to Keelung station, we stopped by a Taiwanese 居酒屋. I told him before I wanted to go there and they actually made my dream come true. We had beer (Of course the driver didn't :P), Taiwanese food and I enjoyed them a lot. The ordering system of Taiwanese restaurants is different from what we usually have in Japan. There are small peaces of papers (Actually, menu), you write how many of them you want beside the name of the food, and give it to the waiter. Since I had no idea what there are on the menu list...I let them order everything.

They ordered food more than I expected. We talked about a lot of things over those local dishes, and I felt very happy being there sharing time with them. What a lucky girl I was ;P When we became full, there were still some food remained on plates, and they told the waiter that they want to bring it back home. Soon, the food was brought in small plastic bags. I know it's surprising if you're Japanese because it has to be tappers if it's possible and basically, we can't do that. I heard it's very common in Taiwan though, so I told it's not in Japan. Why? Because, they can't be responsible about the food that become old when they bring back home.

Anyway, having a full stomach, we got to the station, and his friend drove back home. I really really appreciated his kindness he did for just a tourist like me. He didn't even know about me before, but did all the favor. Saying bye to him, we went to the bus stop and took a bus to Taipei. My body was exhausted, but didn't feel awkward nor troublesome after spending most of the day with someone specific, and it was a very rare thing for me. I actually liked the atmosphere, and was relaxed. You can tell it from my status on the bus; Dozing beside a guy that I can't really say "I know him well" in a strange place.

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Chiufen, The Place With Warm Lanterns

I say, I enjoyed the half day trip to Chiufen quite a bit. His friend came to pick us up to the station, and we approached to Chiufen from backside. The way we took was where mostly only the locals pass. We stopped by a restaurant, had a late lunch, and also stopped by a few more places to take pictures or for a museum. I saw almost no foreigner tourists in those places and it made me so excited. His kind friend explained me a lot of things about the places. It was an unfortunate thing that my English is not good enough to understand everything, but I think I got the entire thing roughly.

When we got to Chiufen, we had traditional sweets, and looked around the town. I found there my favorite thing...Almond powder! We call it 杏仁 and we usually find it used for sweets at Chinese restaurants or at supermarkets in Japan. However, I don't think we have such a tea. I had a cup of almond tea in Taipei city, and loved it. So, I think it was a destiny I found the store selling the powder in Chiufen, lol. When I bought one bag, and receiving the change, my friend told me that the store clerk gave me a discount...so I said 謝謝. Being with them, I didn't have any problem hanging out there. I even didn't have to worry getting late or about transportation. I was definitely in a relax mood which is unusual while traveling alone. It was lie being a little princess protected by two knights :P

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Alone Time Of 3rd Day

I went to National CKS Memorial Hall in the morning, and walked to an area that I saw in my guidebook. It's a street that has some small stores, and I wanted to check them up. Searching for souvenirs for my friends, I met a nice Chinese dress without an expectation. It was a little expensive, but looked really nice and I was attracted to it for the first sight. There was no wonder that I look in the mirror holding the dress...Mmm, it was not bad. Actually, I was on the fence at that time...Should I buy it or not...? Even it was something I wasn't planning, I was sure to find something I like in some degree was kind of hard. I told myself to try it on and see how it would go. If it doesn't fit, there is no regret. So I spoke to the store clerk. And you know what, it almost fit perfectly...and I was shocked. Being not a skinny girl, I've been through such cases that the clothes I want don't fit me sometimes especially when it comes about such kind of clothes that make you look gorgeous. In the end, there was no reason that I shouldn't buy it because I was sure such a chance wouldn't come again so easily. (Actually, a lot of people gave compliment about the dress when I wore it at my friend's wedding party! So I was glad.) I bought some souvenirs at other stores as well, and headed to a sweets restaurant (Cafe?) to grab a mango ice cream...YUM♥ I enjoyed it ;) Then, I walked back to the station. It was an unfortunate thing that I didn't have enough time for exploring the area. However, at least I was glad that I got to get some nice stuff :)

I went straightly back to the station finishing mango thing. I took a train, and went to the station that we supposed to meet up (Okay, to tell the truth, I got lost once on my way to the station, lol). I wasn't sure which exist should I go, so I texted him and also tried to call him either when I got there. There was nothing I could do except waiting for him, so I just sat down on the bench and was waiting him contact me. After a while, he showed up and we went to the exit to take a bus for Keelung.

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