I'll take you in my backpack

8/5/15 Today started off, well, slowly. I'm exhausted. Like my eyes are swollen and refusing to open fully, that kind of exhausted.  I woke up got myself ready and headed to the hotel breakfast. Holy spread. Seriously amazing. It was actually overwhelming and took me probably 5 minutes to put a single item on my plate because there were so many choices. And the fresh fruits and juices, I could get used to this! Yeah yeah that's bread pudding on there too. Judge away. It was amazing (once I picked the raisins out!) I thought that I would get a nice 2 hour nap on the drive out to the floating market. I actually had to laugh when I got picked up at my hotel on the large van that was exceeding capacity. So much so that I was crammed in between the driver and the tour guide in the front (you know on that seat that isn't actually a seat) oh and the motor is right under it so my ass was on fire for 2 hours and my legs were on the dash. I literally laughed out l...

8/4/15 I was a bit morose leaving Taipei this morning. Something I didn't anticipate. What I have realized with each trip here is that this magnificent city has more and more to explore! I would love to come back with the intent of doing some hiking and seeing the more mountainous sides (there are a lot)! Here is a shot I took from my cab ride to the airport, just as the sun was coming up... I practice the (at least) 2 hours early rule for flights. It cuts down on the anxiety and leaves a lot of wiggle room when it comes to potential mishaps with checking in, immigration, and potentially having to get miles across an airport to a gate. Of course that means I'm always left with plenty of time, but I'd rather sit in an airport with no stress than be freaking out about being late or missing my flight. That's what they made my elite status and airport lounges for right?! The EVA Star Lounge in Taipei doesn't disappoint. Lots of food choices, beverages of...