Far from being on their last legs, the idea of which seemed to be firmly planted in our minds, Virg'n Mary not only survived their latest general anesthetic, but seem to be positively radiant with health! It was with a generous dose of trepidation that we decided to continue our bi-annual tooth checkup for the girls. We know the complications from gingivitis could kill them, so we're keen to get this procedure done, despite the angst it brings to the patients and, more keenly, us!
Every two years we try to spirit the baskets into our small bathroom a few days prior and then prepare for the "operation" proper. Classes covered by colleagues if need be, we sprint for the car, navigate back home and then creep into the house. Stealthily breaching the girls' room, we manage to grab them and wrestle them into the baskets secreted away, before motoring over to Dr Yang's vet surgery for the all important blood tests. We race back to school while the little patients are tucked into their cages awaiting the injection.
Finally, the text comes through that the blood tests are fine and they can go ahead with the anesthetic. Cass then dropped in after work to see that they had survived their ordeal and were sitting milky eyed and doped out ready to spend the night under lock and key before being picked up the following morning. Not only did they survive, but as 13 year old seniors, their blood markers indicate they are in raging good health: these girls might live for a good few years yet!
Excited by this news, we wandered over in gorgeous sunshine early Saturday morning to collect the furry survivors with spring in the air and in our step. After a minimum of hissing and spitting at one another, they settled in to sleep the entire weekend away, lolling around on laps or cushions or beds or various other cozy nooks that were created for them wherever they chose to collapse! Cass was unsure about leaving the little lurching drunkards home alone, so we did a quick trip to the grocery shops before I went to Burger Ray's to source some takeaway: it was delicious! In fact, Cassy has gone right out there by declaring it the best veggie burger she has ever had! (see menu above for the Quinoa Mushroom Veggie Burger)
Sunday, impossibly, was even more exquisite than the day before. The temperature was mild, the sun beamed and the air crisp and cool. The combination meant t-shirts and shorts on the motor scooter, without even the hint of a chill. We doubled up on the European summery vibe by visiting one of our favourite suburban corners close by to soak up the day al fresco. Wide streets and footpaths, tree-lined and paved with cafes on three of the four corners, we chose a new one and "Ruelle" was quite a revelation. We each had a brain-bustingly strong coffee along with salads of smoked salmon and honey chicken respectively while sitting at a bar height metal strip table facing the street and the human passing parade. We could have stayed there all day!
Reluctantly, we scootered onward, motors zinging and traffic whumphing along huge multi-laned roadways before pelting through the long, noisy Dazhi Tunnel through to Dazhi and Neihu. Emerging again into the sunshine on the other side of the mountains, a little like a quiescent pupa emerging into a bright new world, this one full of glass and steel, towering and gleaming architectural marvels housing slick restaurants, shops and galleries. We headed for Double Square Gallery for their latest exhibition.
Chen Wan-Jen's take on the world seems deceptively simple, yet cleverly delineated. We took in his mesmerizing video installations, two of which filled the cavernous spaces in which they were housed. There was an entree of a video wall that was interesting (see video above, or here) as well. Suitably stimulated, we motored on towards Tiding Interchange and the back blocks of Neihu en-route to the gigantic flea market called Aphrodite, housed in a huge space in section 6 of MinQuan East Road. We'd been here quite recently and Cass had spotted some old, etched glass wine glasses that she wanted to get. Luckily for us, they were still sitting in the same spot on the shelf, so we scooped up all seven available and made our little purchase. The shop guy did a beautiful job individually wrapping each piece then boxing them up, so the bumpy scooter ride all the way back to Tienmu could be attempted without the risk of a shattering experience!
Arriving back in the melted butter glow of the early evening, still so lovely, we felt relaxed and satisfied. Our cats were soundly sleeping, luxuriating in the still warm but waning sun, and we were all set to settle in for a relaxing evening and prepare for the week ahead. Photos: curious sights at the temple close by (why are these puppets' eyes covered?), Youbikes, blossom, coin machines, Burger Ray menu and Sunday outing shots.