What does a family of four look like after flying 14 hours to their new home in Asia? How much luggage do they bring?
Miraculously, the kinderen traveled liked the veterans they are. We (the parents) were pretty well prepared with games, toys, food and what not, but I've got to give it up to the kids. They didn't drive me to drinking, not yet at least...
I won't kid you, the first week was hard. It rained all week and we met the challenge of life in the big city. Now, as far as city's go, Taipei feels very soft, friendly, and welcoming. Still it is a city and navigating a double stroller up and down stairs, through the rain, through the crowds, and in and out of elevators is no joke. Don't get me started on the misery of apartment hunting.
We survived the first week and the sun came out. This past week has been about getting to know our new landscape and enjoying the charm, cafe's and other advantages of urban life. The kids seem unfased by the move. In fact they seem to love the stimulation around them, and certainly all of the attention. About 90% of the people in the streets take a double look at them, especially when they see the stroller with "another one" in the back.
It looks like we have found an apartment and we should be able to sign the lease and move in next week. The location is ideal, only 2 blocks from the Da-an Park (Taipei's version of Central Park). And it has a huge playground.
We call this one "Maya joins the Taliban"
Many of you know that Taipei is home to the World's (formerly) Tallest Building, Taipei 101. It is huge, towering way high above everything else. Given it is so big, you can see it from anywhere in the city which is handy when lost because you can use it to mark where you are. Anyway, one of our jokes during the apartment hunt was when the agent would point out, "look! a 101 view!" Again, seeing that everywhere in the city has a "101 view" this is not always that impressive. Anyhoo, today we made our first pilgrimage down to 101 and took the worlds fastest elevator up to the 89th floor observation deck. A clear day for us to survey our new home!
In the Basement of the 101 building is a huge food court where we decided to have lunch before heading home. That was quite the experience, ploughing ourselves with the stroller through the masses trying to find something vegetarian to eat that would suit our and Evans pallet. We had Indian (!). Afterwards Evan decided it would be fun to run off and play hide and seek so we lost him for a few minutes that were filled with anxiety. Daddy found him wearing a Santa Hat while hanging out with a Taiwanese girl. That scare gave us plenty of reason to head down to our favorite Gelato place and this is where Maya was sleeping soundly and we sweetened our day away with Gelato.
