typhoon!

i was in tainan when the typhoon hit.  the city got about 40cm of rain in a span of 12 hours.  which is not as bad as the 2 main cities further south, which got completely flooded.  both train systems closed.  so i tried getting a bus ticket.  at the bus counter, there was a taxi driver on his way back north who offered me a seat at a very good price, so i took it.  not only was it faster, but more comfortable, and i ended up closer to my aunt's place than by taking the bus.  not bad

wasabi & meat balls

a trip to southern tainan just before the sole typhoon of the season (so far) took me to a place that sells taiwanese meatballs.  it has a rice cake, glutinous skin, and is filled with pork inside.    a bowl costs just NT$50 (~US$1.60), has 3 of them, and comes with wasabi as the spicy kick.  unlike other meatballs, these are steamed, and not fried, so very good for you!