I woke up this morning with the full expectation of going to the famous Jianguo Holiday Jade Market. It’s only held on the weekends and some Mondays and Tuesdays if they fall on a holiday. Since this would be my last weekend in Taiwan, it was imperative that I went. My dad is still feeling a bit under the weather so he was unfortunately out of the picture for the day. That didn’t stop laoshi from ambushing me shortly after I took my morning shower with the proclamation that we would be going to the 12th Taipei International Bird watching Fair. The brochure he pushed into my hands promised a “Taiwan ecosystem exhibition, international exhibits, guided walks, games with ecological themes, and saes of field guides and bird watching equipment. I can’t imagine why the admission would be free. Stripped of my dad’s translation abilities I stood stunned trying to formulate the words that would politely excuse me from the pending ordeal. Unfortunately, I couldn’t invoke the proper words and off to the Bird watching Fair we went.
Everything I feared about the trip manifested itself within the first 30 feet of exiting the apartment building. I can’t fault the guy for walking at a shuffling pace, he is pretty old after all. That fact doesn’t make it any more bearable. Instead of stopping to talk with my absent dad, he encountered a friend of his walking in the other direction and consumed ten minutes conversing with him. I was too miserable to take pictures of breakfast. Although it was similar to ones I’ve had before, it tasted like ash served to a condemned prisoner. After eating, we boarded the train that would lead me to my doom. Would this event take all day? It was only 8:00 so maybe at most, it would only take four or five hours, then I could split and make a break for the Jade Market. He’s actually pretty well known for his knowledge, and photography of birds. After considering this factor, this would probably take all day. After mulling these condemning thoughts over in my depressed mind we arrived at the station that would transfer us to a bus to take us to the Guandu Nature Park.
A twist of fate. We sat at the station, apparently waiting for bus, but it became apparent that we were waiting for his friends. One by one a group bird nerds formulated, all dressed in semi-concealing greens and tans, sporting patches that proclaimed various birding societies. Camera bags, tripods, spotting scopes, raincoats; I was not going to fit in, in my white and orange polo shirt and blue jeans, another miscommunication as I can go as subdued as the next guy. Another twist of fate: was that a pain in my stomach? Was it dread, psychosomatic pain, or did I really not feel well? It started to increase. Eureka! My way out. I formulated the words for my escape plan an adequately pulled it off. “You go and look. I’m going back to the house. My stomach doesn’t feel good.” He nodded in acknowledgement and happily lead his group off to the bus. I think I was an anchor for him anyways. But this anchor now had freedom!
I made the trip home, really feeling a little sick in my stomach, but some “rest and relaxation” cured that right up and, after checking on my dad, I was out the door to the Jade market.
To call this place a market is an understatement. It’s more like a “jade Costco” or “jade football field”. To make a point, the place was huge, and it was filled with various vendors selling different kinds of jade, bone or ivory, and semi-precious gems and crystals. Prices ranged from frighteningly cheap to terrifyingly expensive. The one variance that this market had from the others was that the vendors weren’t very aggressive in their sales pitch. I was free to wander around and take a look over the table without being accosted to take a longer look. If I had interest in an item, they were more than willing to help, and a good number of them spoke enough English to dictate prices and haggle. Those that couldn’t would punch out a price, and if you waited long enough, they would say “discount” and punch out another price. I read a bit about picking out jade before I swam with the sharks, but the amount of knowledge I gleaned was more of a life preserver rather than a chainmail suit. Regardless, I found a few nice items to bring back and disperse to friends and family, although a few of the items I really desired were set well beyond my comfort level. Shopping with my Dad’s friends and relatives is a double edged sword. Twice I’ve been blocked from purchasing something because they knew a better place or had a better connection, both unfruitful so far. However, I have no doubt that I could have used their assistance in purchasing items today… if I got to purchase anything.
Lunch was McDonalds, easily ordered in English. The night was completed with a well needed workout at the local community center. The facilities have a large swimming pool, squash and badminton courts, basketball/volley ball courts, a spinning area, climbing walls, and a workout room. The workout room is well equipped enough and use of the machines and free-weights are about a U.S. dollar an hour. They run kind of funny here with very short strides. It’s also ironic that in the lobby, there’s a “Mos Burger”, which I’ve never heard of before coming to Taiwan, but it appears fairly successful.
Not many pictures, but here’s today’s album.
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