Earplugs, guys and gals, you need them on flights. I cannot imagine how I used to fall asleep on airplanes without earplugs They kill 90% of the background noise and when you take them off you notice how the air is ROARING. I comfort myself in the thought that though the guy in first class (Eva only has business on the 777) has unlimited Dom Perignon and hot stewardesses to pour his drinks, I got ear plugs.

Touched down on time at 530AM local time. A driver was waiting with a swanky Mercedes; dad's corporate benefit, though after so many years I'm still not used to the royal treatment. One feels conspicuous riding in a black Mercedes in Taiwan. You're either rich or a mobster.

I came hot, ate a bit of oatmeal, then went out and ate some real food for breakfast. Onigiri from 7-11 and a breakfast-plate from one of the thousands of breakfast places in this city. Contents were pitiful compared to an American diner but that's not their thing. Came out to like 2 USD anyways.

Power napped for an hour and then went with dad to the hot springs in the mountains. Very refreshing; did things right this time and did not plunge myself in straight for 20 minutes, which usually results in a rush of blood to the head. The rejuvenating effects are evident in that it is now 8PM local time and I'm still going strong... for maybe another one-half hours. Taiwan beer after Onsen was delicious. A bit fruity, and contains more flavor than its American counterparts.

Lunch at the Shi-Lin Nightmarket (a few stalls are open for lunch): Stewed squid, oyster pancake, stinky tofu. No pics because I forgot my digicam. Google them if you'd like images, Fujiwara, or wait until I get back to my HDD in California so I can dig up food pics from previous Taiwan trips.

A family friend's kid recently opened a frozen yogurt shop a block from where we live. I was and still am skeptical of his chances of survival, but his product is excellent. Very good frozen yogurt, best original flavor frozen yogurt I've ever had and probably superior to Pink Berry. I also had the berry flavor; since this guy uses authentic yogurt and ingredients (the closest competition uses powder-formed yogurt) he loses money on the berry flavor (blueberries are expensive). I told him he should cease sales of the flavor but he seemed attached to it. A worrisome sign.

Dental appointment at 4PM, killed time looking up Japanese restaurants in Taipei (there are thousands). The Dentist is on the same floor as we are; we are neighbors actually, and their door is 8 feet from ours.

What followed is best described as mouth-rape: I went in expecting a routine cleaning but without a word the Doctor began drilling, no warning, no "Ooohhh I've found something here this may sting a little." Pretty soon I was tasting something powdery that used to be part of my teeth. Efficient, but rough, these Taiwanese dentists. It was all over soon. Like rough sex without foreplay, no courtesy at all. I felt violated and used. Still, it was a good job, but the experience made me miss my old CA dentist of a decade very much.

Went and got sushi for early dinner, a high-class revolving sushi place underneath a department store. They had some good stuff. On the way there dad and I grabbed three... umm, filled pastries with similar filling as Taiyaki, except their round and circular and roughly smaller than the size of my palm, which means they're big. This particular stand charged extra because they overfill on the filling. It was great.

Moms coming up from Taichung to join us in about 2 hours. I may be asleep by then, aided by the AC. Temperature today was actually tolerable by Taiwan standards; 25-27 C.

Until next time. Keep writing them fics, folks.