Back in Taipei, I took a walk around the market today. These markets are pretty common around Taiwan; they sell mostly fresh meats and vegetables. Of course there are real supermarkets too but these street markets are what the older generations are used to and like for their daily trip to the market. But if you’re looking to go get a fish for dinner, you’ll have to go in the morning, because the market is closed in the afternoon.

As you walk down the aisle you hear the vendors calling out to you trying to promote their fresh meats and lowest prices. It’s quite an experience to see and smell the fish and meats sitting out in the open on ice. It does give the impression that it’s fresher than the prepackaged meats found in the supermarkets tho….although I don’t know if that would be true.

Ten Ren Shop

We went to visit one of my mom’s friends from elementary school.  She took us for lunch at the Ten Ren Café because she heard from my mom my interest in flower teas.  I found it to be a lot of fun.  The café had little rooms upstairs with doors covered in rice paper. 

After we ate, we dropped by another department store.  This one was less expensive, I ended up buying a clear glass tea pot with a glass candle holder on the bottom to keep the contents warm.  My mom’s friend saw my great interest in teas and gave me two tea sets she had at home.  She said she got them as gifts with purchase and was just sitting in storage.