This time a city adventure

Saturday we decided to explore the Metro system, an underground subway that was the first in this region. There is just one line; so it is good that you do not have to worry about transferring, but bad because you will most likely have to take another form of transportation after your stop.

I really liked the Metro. It was air-conditioned in the terminal and had fans on the cars themselves. Plus, it was REALLY CHEAP! It cost only 10 cents to get to our destination. I think the farthest stop would have been 30 cents. We saw this sign

I did not take offense to the lumping of females with the aged and disabled because it meant a higher likelihood that I would get a seat. (I will take my small comforts wherever I can!) However, when we got on, all the seats were taken by able-bodied men.

It was really really packed, especially on the way home. The people here are gearing up for a festival of sorts and it means LOTS of shopping. The last time I was that crowded was not in Hong Kong, but in Washington D.C. on Inauguration Day. In D.C., the people waiting to get on the Metro wait for those who are exiting. Here, there is a big crush as people are simultaneously trying to get on AND off.

We arrived at our stop and explored for a while and then went to a bookstore to find a guidebook to look up a good place to eat. We went to a place called B-B-Q, but it was nothing like BBQ in Texas. In fact, they did not even serve BBQ. But, it had great A/C and good food including the best fried chicken wings we have found so far. It also had green Chinese veggies, another best.

We explored some more and then I had to use the bathroom! I am not averse to going on the side of the road, but we were in the city. The next day I read an article in the paper about the lack of restroom facilities in the city. I could certainly attest to the dearth. I walked into a cemetery and they directed me to a church. Hooray for the church! I used the bathroom there. See, the church can meets all kinds of needs!

Back to the “female amenities” article… It also said that some women have to resort to going “anywhere” and using their umbrellas to shield them. I later read an article about a movie star who basically said he was too handsome to be in politics. When asked what he would do if he were president for a day, he said that he’d build lots and lots of female amenities so women could have some privacy. Hooray for him!

We explored some more and went to a dessert placed called Flurry’s. I ordered a chocolate milkshake. Have you ever had a watery, kinda lukewarm milkshake? That is what they have here. I have seen Americans portrayed as spoiled brats when traveling abroad and complaining that their drinks are not served chilled. I am fine with unchilled water, juice, soda, etc. But a milkshake? I long for the ones at Chick-fil-A.

The best part of the day was exploring a market. Because of the festivities coming up, leis of flowers can be seen in the markets. The leis are meant to adorn the idols. I bought a couple of ginger leis (at 30 cents each!) and was tempted to put in on like in Hawaii, but decided that I better not portray myself as an idol. I am using my leis as an air-freshener in the hotel. Smells good!


We literally stumbled into this building that was kinda far off the street, but the 3 lit-up doorways leading into the building tempted us. Other than the doorways, everything was completely dark. It turned out to be a huge indoor market and in the very back was a seafood, live chicken and meat market. It was quite the mosaic of sights and smells. We left with 2 crabs, that look like Dungeness but smaller and paid $1.30 for each one. Then we paid 25 cents for them to cut them for us. I had a great dinner that night. We boiled the crabs in ramen broth and then I ate to my heart’s content. Delicious! That day was a good day of transition.