Saturday afternoon, we 3 ladies took a taxi to the week-end flower market and jade market. The Kreilings had not been since we went two Christmases ago. It is a place that I could stay and touch all day, but we were on a mission. We had seen painted lanterns from our taxi window a couple of weeks ago, and we wanted to get some spring lanterns. We started in the Jade market, which I may say is just overwhelming. C bought a long turquoise necklace, and C & A bought glass rings. I bought nothing, although I certainly touched alot! C bought some antique dishes. I fought off the urge, as once again, I'm just not sure how I could get them home. The flower market is still my favorite place, and I am in awe at all the varieties of orchids that are offered...large, small, miniatures, all colors... offered at such reasonable prices, I want one of everything. Then, of course, there are spring flowers in planters and garden starters and cut flowers for vases....on and on and on....C bought a bright pink hydrangea for her coffee table. We found the lanterns, and watched as the artist was painting the one I bought. C bought a large round one painted with peonies (you can see it in the picture) and another rectangle lantern with orange and yellow flowers.
The men joined us after their golf lessons and we headed for a downtown Ikat store, a decorator store we found in Tian Mu. We wanted to see if the downtown branch held more goodies, but found it just "OK." We may jump on the fast train to Kaohsiung next week to go to a couple of flagship stores...the high speed train AND shopping!
We ended up having a lunch of wontons in chili oil, beef noodle soup, and a small plate of chilled vegetables...all just outstanding. Next door we found Lulu's Bakery, where I bought small custards for dessert...custards that tasted just like cheesecake...YUM! Saturday night the kids and I watched "The Proposal," while K & C went downtown to their favorite sushi bar for daddy date night. We had a great chat with the Whitleys, and got caught up on the dances, baseball games, and college choices. GO RED AND BLACK!..a quote from A for her cousin Kara!
I took the noon train home to my dorm room...where it is getting chillier and chillier. I was able to go to the Tian Mu Pharmacy where I helped myself to new allergy meds, cough medicine, and two different kinds of antibiotics...and they are not fakes! No prescriptions required!
Pineapple season has started here, and they are to die for. K says mango season is even better! A short week here, and I will be headed back to the Ks for my "spring break" and Easter holiday. Everyone else will be sweeping the tombs, cleaning the burial plots, and paying respects to their deceased family members for the "Sweeping Tombs" holiday. Ch says many families have already started the process.
Enjoy the flowers!
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