Taiwan travels

We left the house on the 4th and headed to the train station, our most important possessions strapped to our backs and the not so important but seeming essential things stuffed into one medium sized suitcase. We trekked though Union Station and met my cousins at the curb. For the next few hours , we enjoyed Thai food and "milk" along with good conversation and fun.
When we arrived at the check in counter, got our stuff checked through and turned to face the huge security test, the line had almost completely disappeared. We shot through, only to wait at the gate for a couple hours. The airport is a great place to do homework--I studied for a test and JE slept.
After we boarded I had this surreal moment when I recognized the song drifting in my head. "Doesn't speak the language, holds no currency, he is a foreign man, he is surrounded by the sound, sound. Angels in the market place, spinning in infinity. We flew 7,491 miles today in a 747 in 14.5 hours into 140 mile an hour headwinds. We were 1.5 hours late to our destination because of those headwinds.
At the Taipei airport we took the green bus to Chao Ma. Here is where our luggage seemed a hindrance. I wanted to abandon some of our luggage and go off into the great unknown. Taipei looks like a fun place to explore.
The green bus is a hoot. I don't understand the logic of the curtains in these buses. Each bus has elaborate window dressings--with ruffles included. Everything on the bus is green, upholstery, carpet, curtains, walls, ceilings. At the airport we saw an animatronic "guy" waving down traffic with light sticks.
We barely slept (this entry may be a bit scattered--I am very sleepy!).
As we traveled down to Taichung we saw many rice fields and gardens. There were Giant Screaming Gold Budahs set up next to the road, and tiny quiet wayside temples.
I love the flora of different countries. Things are blooming right now.
We arrived at the bus station and April pulled up with 2 year old George, on her scooter. Traffic here is crazy, but it works because people are all on the same page. Generally traffic is slow, meandering, and lawless. Laws are suggestions.
We went to lunch with Matt, JE and I doubling on April's scooter. I have a pinch of video, which I am debating putting on the web. If someone were to send this to my mom, we would be flying up to attend her funeral! Hair raising!!! But fun!
People here are so friendly to foreigners and try their darnedest to speak with us in English. Signage is a bit wild. I will soon add some pics to this entry.
After lunch April, George, JE and I took a nice long walk around the industrial park and rice fields. There is such a mingling of nature, manufacturing, and farming here. Egrets on the beanpoles of vegetable gardens between manufacturing plants.
We crashed around 4pm and slept for couple hours, then walked around the city and found stuff to eat.
Now it is time for bed and a much needed time for bed!