On Saturday I met up with a friend from the summer camp I joined for foreign-born Taiwanese kids back in 2010! I can't believe it's been 15 years since we've seen each other! We still follow each other on Instagram (shifted over from facebook) and were able to arrange a time to see each other and catch up~
KC: Alice and the Pirates
JSK: Angelic Pretty
Socks: BABY THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT
Shoes: Sheep Puff
We went to 永康街/YongKang Street and had a lovely mala hotpot! The soup base actually contains chicken bones, but it wasn't too overpowering and overall tasted nice. I can be flexible with my dietary restrictions sometimes!! 😹
I got knife-shaved noodles in mine!
It was so nice to meet her husband, reminisce about summer camp, and catch up on what we've all been doing these years! I asked my friend about the magazine she works on, Provencho, as I'd seen her post about it on IG before and I do love learning about food from other cultures and how it ties to daily life and culture! They're on issue 03 right now, so it's pretty new, but if you're a foodie, check out the side or their Instagram! (Promise I'm not affiliated; I just like food! 😹)
We then went to a little tea leaf shop so they could buy tea as gifts for friends. The shop owner was VERY into tea, how it's grown naturally and organically, how the fertilizer and earthworms and dirt affect the flavor, and so much more detail I can't even remember!! We got to sample one of the teas and it was so clean and nice. Each pour had a slightly different aroma, and the scent cups held the smell like a light perfume.
Afterwards, we went to a craft brewery called 掌門/ZhangMen and had some drinks! I got a honey beer because I am scared of bitterness in beer 😹 It also wasn't too fizzy (something else I dislike about beer) so that was pleasant!
Fortunately, there was no damage in my area, but I saw some people posted about items falling down or falling over.
Ah, yes, I met with a senior high school friend that I had to see for 13 years & truly, I though I would not know what to talk about as I truly don't remember what we were talking about back in the days. Turns out we both felt the same, no awkwardness, just more mature & could sympathize with each other even more.
ReplyDelete7.0? gee... Your comment though was truly epic haha
@MεΛ
DeleteI think following each other on social media helps as you can see if this person has grown into somebody that you can get along with. It also gives you something to ask about! Like I asked about my friend's birding adventures as she'd gotten very into birding.
Earthquakes are quite common here, but the big ones can be scary!! They are rather unpredictable
That's amazing and such a long time! Unfortunately I have lost contact with almost everyone I met years ago lol. Then again I also moved away from NY which a lot of them still live in. I think the only friends I mostly have now are online from blogs, social media and forums/games. Which is fine I think. At least I know that everyone's interests are similar whereas with the others, I would have felt shameful about my own life compared to theirs lol
ReplyDeleteThat tea shop sounds amazing~ And you just reminded me to ask - do you have any recommends for teas that they usually sell in cafes and dim sum places? I live in Arizona and don't have as much access to anything beyond "sleepy time tea" XD
@キーリん♡
DeleteIt can be difficult to keep in touch! The last couple times she came to Taiwan we didn't meet up, but this time we did and I'm glad!
No need to feel shameful about your life~ We are all on our own journeys after all. As long as you are not taking advantage of others, I think it's ok.
Having similar interests helps, of course!
HM I'm not sure what teas would be available in your area! Usually high mountain teas will be nicer as the elevation helps with the growth and flavors. I personally enjoy oolong teas, and Tieguanyin. I also like the fermented tea PuEr tea, though it has a strong flavor and can get oversteeped quickly, so do be mindful if you try it! In Taiwan the Sun Moon Lake black tea is also popular. If you can find that one, can also give it a try!
Earl Grey is likely more readily available to you. That one was an acquired taste for me! I used to really dislike it, but now I can enjoy it if it's not too strong.