A green, corrugated iron fence masks building sites all over Taiwan. It's no coincidence all the fences are green: there is some building code that requires this. There has been a green fence erected in our most proximate section of Chung Shan North Road for well over two years but narry a sign of building or even preparatory works until this last weekend when one old shop was stripped of cladding to reveal its cold cement skeleton (see first photo).
Cassy's cobbler and an enterprising fresh fish restaurateur have resisted the green fence in this large , derelict block, but all the other businesses succumbed long ago. Cassy's "lady", the seamstress, has moved to the other side of the suburb and my scooter man was also displaced along with a tiny antique shop. Most disappointing though, considering the subsequent lack of progress on building the next great glass and steel residential tower, is the demise of three great little bars here! The Bund 18 was slick and new and had a bright atmosphere, the Woo Soo Bar was dark and alley-like with a grungy appeal and the heavy liquor local bar, Bottom's Up, was for hard core Gaoliang drinkers only! I don't resist progress but a green fence for over two years......come on!
Cass had a delightful time with her good friend, Kristin on Friday. They went to the very slick cafe section of the signature restaurant Il Mercato to have an early dinner and a few wines and a good, long catch-up. Kristin had plenty of wonder to relate from nearly two months in Europe over the summer holidays and they wined and dined in spectacular style and quality. The mirror image of this was no doubt Wol and me scoffing German sausages at Uli's over a few sweet as honey Northern Taiwan lagers, talking about upcoming footy finals and his sick kiddies..... We still had a rip-roaring time, though!
We scootered down to various shopping outlets for the groceries before settling in at Eat Burger for an early dinner on Saturday. It was as fresh and delicious as usual, especially as we lashed out and got various sets which included drinks, appetizers and salads to accompany the main course of burgers.
I managed to watch a few NRL final round matches and Cass even joined in on a couple, as the games were quite fascinating and high stakes as points for and against changed throughout the matches, affecting where teams would finish and ultimately, who they would end up playing in the first week of the finals. It was a real roller-coaster of excitement, disappointment and acceptance.....I don't know how the players coped with it all!
I always forget to take a photo of my classes, so today I actually wrote it on the board as part of my schedule: if I forget, they're sure to remind me! Other photos are of a skeletal building in the green zone, Carrefour shopping help, Cass getting the bread and an interesting set of alley front doors opposite Eat Burger.