Day 4: Taipei, Taiwan
This was supposed to be Jinha’s last day but I convinced him to stay just one more =)
After another late start we saw the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. It is a famous monument erected in the memory of Chiang Kai-shek, former President of the Republic of China. We were just in time to see the changing of the guards, too. Inside there is a gallery.
Next, we rushed over to the National Palace Museum but we were too late to look around. Strike one.
Instead, we picked up some street food, Chinese pizza which was fantastic, and went over to the Longshan Temple and night market. Inside the temple we got some help on praying the Chinese way. Here’s what we learned:
1) get some free incense, seven to be exact
2) mix the red sticks around and pull one one out to read your number
3) toss two wooden pieces on the ground and make sure one is up and the other down (it will only work if that is the correct number for you, so if not then grab a new stick)
4) pray to God for the one thing you wish
5) grab your card from the box matching your number and read your “fortune” (for lack of a better word)
6) light your seven incense sticks and pray
Then we found Din Tai Fung, which is one of the most famous dumpling spots but it was already closed. Strike two.
Last, we stopped at the Shilin night market. We tried all kinds of treats and snacks like a biscuit with pork and veggies inside, milk bubble tea, pancakes with red beans and giant fried chicken. Everything was really yummy. We even got to fish for shrimp. They gave us a little hook and if you could get one into the bucket they would grill it up for you right there. I got one and Jinha got three! It was pretty tough.
