Day one - travel

Flight was at 1:30pm on Friday afternoon. Crazy week, no sleep, so I should have not expected things to go perfectly smoothly at DFW. Checking in usually a slight hassle, easier than usual this time, but I have never seen such a huge line for screening. Ever. It took around 25 minutes standing in line, then when we both refused to go through the body scanner, waited some more. Travis was patted down pretty quick, I stood and waited for nearly twenty minutes before someone was able to help me. Meanwhile, TSA has finally discovered that they are poorly managing their area. After telling me the “normal” metal scanner was not being used anymore, the TSA man I was waiting near started letting people through from the body scanner line. Then, it proceeded to break and the entire line went through, me still waiting. Waiting, waiting, waiting until I finally made it. Phew. I really wish they would get rid of those machines. They didn't go through any bags, which is pretty nice too. I'm usually the suspected terrorist. I carry too many art supplies. Suspicious, of course.

The flight to Tokyo was honestly the best flight I have ever had. Also the coldest AC, which took two blankets and a hoodie to fix-almost. I took something to help me sleep, and it worked for once...which was great, as I am never able to sleep longer than about thirty minutes on the plane. I woke up on the flight once or twice, bombarded by food, and then twenty minutes before we landed. Ultimately a fourteen hour flight seemed to be just as easy as traveling for two hours. Awesome! I was too tired to remember what we were fed, but it was Asian, and it tasted good. In America, economy class gets disregarded. Today, I was given food twice, a pillow and blanket, and was treated kindly. Excellent. The flight to Tokyo ended up being a bit late, so we headed straight for the gate. Awesome snack food. I've never been into this part of Narita Airport before... but as always, everything looked wonderful. Even for an airport. But it is Japan, so it is still expensive.

The flight from Tokyo to Taipei was around four hours. Again, we were given a meal in economy. too bad Travis missed out, he was sleeping. Sticky rice with a chunk of mackerel, a few little dishes of assorted pickled things, sashimi, macha, and an ice cream. The flight attendants are super nice. I really hate flying in the states, these guys have got it down.

So, we finally made it. The airport in Taipei has lots of plants and really cool electronics coming off of the walls and ceiling. Took a picture of this cool screen that displays on some glass and looks like it goes through thousands of pieces, making all the reflections. There was also the awesome bottle of alcohol at one of the duty free shops. It has a dragon in it as well as gold flakes, so I assume it was vodka. Whatever the case, it's pretty and I want to put it on my mantle and never drink it.

The plane was a little late, and it rained for a while so we didn't make it to the night market. But, we were able to get a bobba- peach green tea. I'm so excited right now I can't even explain it. It feels like home. There are dogs everywhere riding on mopeds, 24 hour fish stores, and open garages with a ton of guys catching fish and shrimp in an indoor pool to grill. Remember, it’s around 11:30pm. Tons of stuff is open, food is cooking, this is awesome.

Walked around until 3am or so. Plenty of food. Had a delicious taro rice cake. Can’t wait for breakfast! Windows open, fragrant flowers just outside, dogs howling- great! :)