Jade and I made a break for the border and jumped on a train to visit the delights of Ilan, on the East coast of Taiwan. Actually, it was the train ride I was more looking forward to – just getting away from Taipei is enough to give yourself some space from the stresses and strains.
Jade and I reflect for a moment
Tour guide
After all the textures in Japan, I thought it only fair that I give Ilan the same treatment
Taiwan Beer launches the new ‘Super’ can
I just learnt my 3000th word in Chinese! Kind of a magic number for me to reach, because they say I should be able to start reading basic newspapers now. We shall see.
I know this because I tap every word I learn into my trusty Palm, and use Supermemo software to give me daily tests. Strictly speaking, I guess I know 3000 English words; I am not sure exactly how that transposes into discrete Chinese characters but it is probably about the same when you average it out.
Out of interest, you can see when I passed the 2000 mark at the end of last September, here: 2000 Chinese Characters
So, over this 6 month period, that is over 40 new words per week going into my head! I just wonder what must be being shoved aside to make space. My French, that is for sure.
The new new hot new hot thing is Twitter. Not quite sure what it does yet, or if it is important, but all I know it is the hottest site on the internet and I have to have it set up before anyone else I know!
Uh Oh, 100 buses in Taipei…
Know that I got some very strange looks when I was taking these photos!
Advertising in Banciao – BIG (see me below) – I had to talk my way into the top floor. The security guard said ‘no’ but then I showed him a poster of me behind him and he had to say yes! Authority?
Joanne has a healthy 6.1 lb baby called Jessica (a great name I think). I am still kind of processing it all!
Hello World!