Crackers, School Buses and Laughter

I’ve discovered that crackers don’t have the same crunch here as they do in Utah. It’s sad really. I love the crunchy stuff the best. You sink your teeth in and feel it break apart and hear the satisfying “crunch” sound. Not so in Taiwan. I sink my teeth into my graham crackers shipped directly from Utah and my teeth sort of sink through. What is this? Almost like they’ve been soaked in milk for a few minutes. But they haven’t! I just pulled it out of the package.

And here is my theory about why crackers have no crunch (which totally goes against the definition of cracker, doesn’t it?!) – it’s too humid here. There is so much moisture in the air that it even affects the food. The poor little crackers are overwhelmed with moisture (2 H’s and 1 O) as they scream pitifully, “No, not moisture! We’re crackers and have to be dry.” (Alright, I’m getting carried away. I’ll blame the late hour, though it isn’t that late.)

Seriously, the food tastes different and I think I have a good reason to explain why the crackers are crunchless. Truly, I am saddened by this phenomenon. Must I wait 11 months before having another true cracker experience?? How sad.

I don’t think I’ve shared this tidbit about life in Taiwan, yet. The students here ride in style. No lame yellow school buses with cheap brown plasti-leather seats. Oh no. We have true tour buses with reclining seats and cup holders. Oh and padded, individual chairs. Are you American kids jealous?! I would be. Oh wait, I sort of am. They can probably watch movies and TV shows as they travel to and from school! How is this fair? Oh yeah, one thing my Dad taught me: life isn’t fair (and anyone who tries to tell you so is selling you something. Is that from a movie?)

Isn’t laughter a great thing? I know I’ve watched too many movies on the 5 English channels we have because I can tell you how the commercials go. I can even sing some of the jingles. Here’s a sad thing: the commercials aren’t in English! Anyway, there is this one commercial that makes me laugh every time it comes on. That’s why I like it so much. I know what is coming, but it’s still funny! I don’t think I could do it justice with merely words. Trust me, it’s funny. (But maybe in a silly way. Hm, maybe you wouldn’t find it funny.)

I went to the market again this evening. With my roommate. First of all, I love how she drives her scooter. Definitely a Taiwanese! She just weaves around people and I’m left in the dust. But it’s alright – the market isn’t too far and I could get home. SO, at the market today I decided pictures alone won’t do it justice. I’m sorry but you have to come here and experience. A true market experience touches all the senses!

Especially smell. If you can’t experience the smells, there isn’t much point. Thus I didn’t take any pictures tonight. It seemed wrong. You need to come yourself – see all the parts of the chicken and smell the “rawness” of it. Realize that you are staring at a fish head that was just lopped off with a knife. And walk on uneven ground through little puddles. (of what?) On a personal note (though this is all personal) I think chicken feet are very ugly things.

Oh yes! I saw something supremely interesting at the market. I believe it was a cooked duck head and neck. But I’m not certain on that. It sure looked like it, with the face and beak (or is it a bill?). Anywho, I got a treat at the market tonight. My roommate went for a steamed bun for dinner so she was explaining what all of them were. And the lady gave me one as a treat. For free! It was very nice, and tasty. They mix brown sugar with the flour and there was some brown sugar on the inside. (Is it odd that I think their brown sugar tastes different?) I bought 2 regular buns with green onions, my roommate’s favorite.

Tonight I discovered a new use for a rice cooker – a microwave. That is what my roommate uses to reheat the steam buns. Who would’ve thought?! She explained how she does it and I’ll have to give it a try.

Alright, final thing from my market experience. On the drive home I had an internal debate raging. Should I drive my scooter home, park and then walk back to the store for a jug of water? Yvonne had told me I could bring it home with my scooter, but I was nervous. I always just walk there and carry the thing home (and it’s heavy!). The final decision: try it! So I turned left and parked my scooter outside the store. I walked in and purchased my jug of water. And I walked back outside and put it in the middle of the, um, foot space. I was still nervous, but determined. And it worked!! I made it home with no problems. It actually wasn’t a big deal. I think it may have even inspired more laughter :D I’m feeling more and more Asian as the time passes.
This is the one picture I took. My roommate calls them "Buddha's head" and I have no idea of the true English name. It's a veggie. . . or a fruit.