Finally, after 13 hours and 40 minutes cooped up in small airplane seat, I emerged on the other side of Pacific with an achy knee in Taiwan. And for the first time in all my traveling, my luggage did not show up on the carrasel. After filling out the necessary forms, I had to leave the airport without any clothing and necessities. I guess that’s a good thing to add to my repertoire.
At the exit I asked someone who’s just passing by (maybe intentionally?) where I can get a taxi. He siad, you found the right person, I can take you. After bargaining for a bit, he agreed to take NT $1200. On our way to his van, I started to have second thought remembering the advices I was given about getting a taxi at the airport taxi line. They told me the police will take down the destination and the license number to ensure safety. But I just met this guy at the exit, how do I know I am not walking into a trap. With the doubt in my mind, nevertheless, we got to his van and started off. It turned out that we had a good conversation all the way to the hotel. He may even provide the service if Leo and I want to take a trip next time to visit some tourism spots in Taiwan.
The same receptionist was at the counter, and she gave me a room right away rather than making me wait like the last time and didn’t ask me to pay the fees for the extra few hours. I was able to have breakfast, take a shower before I go to mom’s nursing home. When I got to my room, it is familiar, the same layout as last time, but I felt utterly alone even a bit at a loss. Weird. I am only 5 mintues away from mom’s place, I am in the country I was born and raised. My relatives are only a phone call away. But I felt utterly alone. I guess I don’t identify with this place any more.
Mom was very happy to see me, the helpers said that she was not willing to walk normally, but she did a bit when I was there. And she ate extra food that I brought for her. We talked for a few hours. She didn’t seem to be in a very upbeat mood but nevertheless glad to see me and talk to me.
I was really exhausted after lunch and went back to the hotel and took a few hours nap to get some enregy back. Got dinner and went back to the nuring home to be with mom and talked for another couple of hours. By 8:30, I was tired again. so I cam back and went to bed around 10:30. But then woke up at 2:30 and have been up since then. I guess the jet lag is still going to take a few days to work off. But I don’t feel like walking in the fog as I did yesterday at least.
On to some legal stuff this morning and will get back to see mom again later.