It smells different here

I love flying business class. But the reason I like flying business class isn't because I get lots of space and the amenities are nice; it's the first class lounge. Everything in the first class lounge is free. This includes the bar and a refrigerator filled with all types of beer. I will post no more incriminating statements involving free alcohol and me.


Whenever I step off the plane, I can smell it in the air: the humidity, the stench...the fobbiness. It's a unique smell.


My first big meal in Taiwan was at the Westin in Taipei. Suprisingly, my dad informed me that the Taiwanese man who owned the Westin in downtown LA did not own the one in Taipei. (Correct me if I'm wrong)


I think the restaurant was called East West--I'm not sure. But names are irrelevant here. Food is important. My family likes to take us to buffets whenever we come to Taiwan. Maybe its a Taiwanese thing (we like to eat a lot), but buffets in Taiwan are definitely not like the ones in America. Places like this usually serve Japanese and Chinese food dotted with some Western dishes (like chicken nuggets). They're also nic
er in the sense that buffets in Taiwan aren't like Hometown buffet; there's fine china and glassware on tables that are often clothed or with marble tops. Everything is upscale, and prices usually match that, often ranging between $20-$30 just for lunch. The only thing that really stood out at this place was the pork chop I got from a carving station. Dessert was pretty good, but not so good that anything stood out. I love fruit tarts, and these were ok. Note the piece of fruit that's white with black spots. Wait till I show the outside of the fruit--it's gnarly.

Later that day we went to a fruit stand that's open for 24 hours. Fruit is a pretty big deal in Taiwan. It's delicious here. I had mango that was sweeter than any that I've had in the states. Speaking of which, mangos are probably the least tropical fruits in Taiwan. I have no idea was these beasts are called, but they look unearthly.

The pink and green octupus is the one that's black and white on the inside.