taiwan

we visited taiwan over thanksgiving.  a whirlwind tour of sorts. we felt like royalty -- eating, getting gifts, and being shown around by parents & relatives:

- visited relatives.  went to each grandma's house. had lunch and dinner with each side of the family.  one grandma told us how she left her home in china when she was 16, during the japanese occupation of china.  before she left, her grandfather gave her some silver coins, their family's most precious possession.  she gave us a few of the coins.  made me think about hardship over generations, and how the things that i think are "hard" in life really aren't that big of a deal.

- banquet at grand hotel.  we had a small banquet dinner with both sides of the family and a few friends. michelle also came in from japan.  it was really great to be together with everyone!

- touristed. made the requisite trip to ding tai feng.  twice, actually.  taipei 101 with michelle & family (where's michelle?) night market wandering. checked out an old city, park with chiang kai shek statues & nearby dam.

felt super-loved.  a good, short trip.