A few random things about an American living in Hsinchu:

1. There is no need for baby seats on a scooter.  You just strap the baby to yourself and have two more kids hang on behind you.  You can also ride your scooter holding a dog.  We'll have to grab some photos of this to post!

2.  Doing dishes while showering is fun and efficient!  James says I need to see the Seinfeld episode where Kramer installs the garbage disposal in his shower.  That would be awesome!

3.  You are always sweaty and coated in road grime.  It reminds me of road cycling around Atlanta.

4.  If someone speaks English, they are immediately your new best friend.  I stare at foreigners too wondering if they will be my new friend.  Our dinner last night with two English teachers (one from Chicago and one from London) was great!

5.  Eating out is way cheaper than buying food at the markets.  Not very healthy but cheap!  We ate at a Japanese hibachi grill last night - $4 each for a full dinner and that was at a sit-down restaurant.

6.  You are always thirsty.  Everyone else drinks hot water even in the summer.  The main cold drinks are bubble teas.

7.  McDonald's has the same menu here as in the US and is the only place with clean restrooms.

8.  You start thinking using chopsticks is easier than using a fork.

We are heading down to the most southern tip of Taiwan tomorrow through at least Friday June 7th.  The area is called the Kenting National Park.  Hopefully we will be able to blog there from our hostels.

Here's a link to a blurb written by a cyclist about Taiwan someone sent me.  I thought the our cyclist friends would enjoy it and be more tempted to come visit us.  The pictures in the slideshow are amazing for anyone to enjoy!  We plan to visit all the places in the photos.  One photo is of Kenting National Park.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-turton/taiwan-cycling-paradise_b_807197.html#s222100title=Taroko_Gorge 

Zai Jain! (See you!)