Day 1 - Taipei 101

We decided to not venture too far today since we are still getting familiar with our surroundings. Right across from our hotel is Taipe 101. It is currently the tallest building in the world with the fastest elevator in the world as well. It was really windy so it was weird to see the feel the building swaying. Damper Baby really helped out today (see pics below)This was absolutely amazing! We did an audio tour and learned so much about taipei and everything surrounding this area as well. We loved it! I've posted some pictures from the sights at 101.

This is Damper Baby - this is the mechanisms used to support Taipei 101 during high winds, typhoons and daily weather. It stablizes the building. It is a big deal at Taipei101, with all sorts of souviners with a little damper baby with a face on them and he even has a personality profile which I got a kick out of:

There were huge wall display like this descibing the telcommunications, the electric, the cost, timeline for building and the Top 10 tallest buildings in the world. FYI - Empire State Building is #8 :)

We also had our first dining experience and I was in HEAVEN - I swear I could eat Asian food everynight of the week and the beef noodle soup and pork dumplings we had were awesome. Chris and I literally decided we could eat this everyday - the food is amazing. Some things were different like seeing the whole chicken and fish and shrimp with everything including the eyes and also as we ventured to the Jason's at Taiwan 101 a lot of sandwiches and items like lobster salad or tuna salad sandwiches were all out deli style but were not refridgerated. It was little strange going through not being able to read a lot of the labels but it was such a nice grocery store and we got some taiwan snacks, teas and beer to try - they have some called "Essential Beer" and we got a kick out of that - and some food and rice crackers for Sophia. We headed to Watsons, which is like a drug store for the wipes and diapers (thanks for the tips Judy!) so we are all ready for her, we just need her! The crib was delivered as well so it is really surreal to have a crib in the room. I also realized I totally overpacked for her, but hey - c'est la vie at least she has anything she could ever need, fashions included - LOL

A note about Taipei 101, on the streets I did not get a lot of looks but in taipei 101 I was really stared at a lot. I guess being pale with big blonde hair totally makes one stand out but this is something I am going to have to get used too. By no means at all was anyone rude, mean or doing it purposely I am just not used to it so now that I've been through it today - - I should be good to go.

For all of you waiting to travel - take it from someone who hasn't traveled to Europe since high school and the farthest I've been since then is Mexico so I'm not a seasoned traveler at all - - this city is very easy to navigate. Tomorrow we are going to the Handicraft Market and the Jade and Flower Market for souviners. We are also going to try to go to a night market and hit Chiang Kai Shek or find the cable cars that take you up over the mountains. This city is really beautiful. I'll share anything I find out through travelling to these desitnations which are farther away from our hotel and such.

Its about 7:25 pm here and I've been up all day - YEAH! but I'm fading fast. I'm taking this opportunity to post long nice detailed posts as I'm sure once we get Sophia I may not have time...

It hit me today when Chris said - Tomorrow is our last day as a family of 2!!!!