When Ba gets on the subway system, someone inevitably gets up to offer him their seat. My dad always laughs and makes them sit back down again. He told me that school children in Taiwan are taught to offer their seats to elderly people on the train. There are also designated seats by the door, like the ones on the Vancouver skytrain, and they're almost always available for my dad.
As you can see, the passenger sitting beside my dad looks like she's got some infectious disease. There are many people who wear these surgical masks, and I'm not sure if it's because they're carrying a virus or if they are trying to avoid catching a virus, or if the air quality is bad, but after a week here, I've gotten used to seeing them.
Other things I've gotten used to:
1. Scooters, scooters everywhere.
2. Chinese faces all around me, so much so, that when I see a "white" person, they really stand out.
3. stir fried meat and vegetables at the breakfast table.
4. greasy food stands on the sidewalk selling anything from noodles to soups to cooked buns, to chicken feet.
5. lunch or supper for $3-$4.
6. firm beds.
7. not knowing any of the streets or how to get anywhere.
Hi Wendy
ReplyDeleteAll the white folk back here at South Shore are counting down the days until your return. When I went over to your place this morning to check on the boys, Gio was busy vacuuming.... T minus 4 days :) Your blog has become part of my daily ritual. Although I'll be glad you'll be home soon, I'll miss reading about your daily adventures and observations. Make sure you pass your camera to some of those ever-helpful Taiwanese people so you can get some pictures of you with your dad... or at the very least - get your Dad to take some of you.
Luca is off to piano and Michael and Nate are down in the rumpus room. Outside it's a mix of snow and rain. Weather looks good for your return though.
Keep on bloggin
Carol