the sweetest little potato on this island

Unfortunately, Taiwan has a terrible stray animal problem--there are thousands upon thousands of homeless dogs and cats all over the island. The ones who aren't sick or injured spend their days foraging for food and looking for safe harbor, and many simply die in the streets. Some are lucky enough to find their way to volunteers for organizations like Animals Taiwan, who are doing everything they can to improve the situation through fostering and providing medical attention to furry friends in need. Yesterday afternoon I went down to the City Hall area to attend "Love Animal Day" celebrations. Many worthy organizations came out to raise awareness of the challenges facing homeless domestic animals in Taiwan and I met the little lady pictured above. She was lovely and sweet and fell asleep in my arms. Like so many others, she's looking for a forever home.

Although it's always heartbreaking to come face to face with so many homeless dogs and cats who I can't possibly stick in my pocket and keep with me forever, the festival was still a whole lot of fun. The best part of the whole thing? Perhaps the fact that the Taipei City government blocked off a major roadway just so this terrier dressed as Superman could attempt to catch frisbees, accompanied by the soothing sounds of the Village People.

I love Taiwan!

see food

It's hardly a secret that Taiwan is a seafood playground, but I never cease to be amazed when I'm out and about at just how abundant all that deliciousness is. Piles of fish everywhere! Lobsters? Take one for the road! I took this photo of a vendor in Kending, swimming in a veritable sea of shrimp. (She gave me permission to take her photo, by the way, although I know the scowl suggests otherwise. I think she was just very focused on not drowning in her insane pile of shrimp.)

I have consumed sea creatures prepared in every conceivable fashion in Taiwan--raw, fried, steamed, boiled, poached,etc. But I must admit I always take pause when it's time to try the dried stuff. The vendor above touted fabulous wares but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Why? Do I lack a sense of adventure? I love dried squid and those little tiny crunchy shrimp that find their way into vegetable dishes...what's my deal? Also, can anyone identify the fish-object on the left? It's round and flat and sort of flounderish-but-flounder-seems-too-obvious? I suppose if I were really a thrill-seeker, I would have ordered the shark I saw outside one restaurant...

They were indeed the definition of fresh--blood was still dripping from their teeth. You know, the BLOOD OF THE LAST PERSON WHO TRIED TO EAT THEM. Maybe I'll stick to the dried stuff after all.

you are only coming through in waves

This past weekend I fled to beautiful Kending for a few days with my friend Grace to take in the Peninsula Music Festival. After all was said and done, I plopped down on a towel on the beach to listen to the waves. Having spent most of the last eight months steeped in the din of the city, it was lovely to hear the sound of the water going in and out, and little else.