A Quiet Day in the Neighborhood
July 19, 2010 (Monday)
Grandparents came to visit us at Uncle’s place for lunch, as dad had invited them over to showcase his new-found cooking skills. We spent some time chatting afterward – I showed my grandparents my website and Givology. My grandparents then slept while Grace and I played different games. We walked to Raohe Street together to shop and browse the vendors setting up for tonight’s market. Later on, grandparents joined us, and we took them to a venue specializing in foot massages. We ate dinner at Raohe Street, including my favorite black pepper buns and the stinky tofu adored by Grace and mom.
We returned home for a second dinner (I swear, I spend so much of my day just eating). Aunt Jennifer then took us to buy shoes for my dad, while Cousin Jessica brought bubble tea for us to enjoy!
August 1st, 2010 at 7:28 pm
People eat here not to fulfill hunger – they eat, actually nibble, nibble for entertainment! Yes, I finally get it: food does not go up as an art form unless we elevate it higher than just filling the tummy. No, nibblers in the night market go for something else: nibbling for entertainment
. I actually do not need to tour the island that much – simply staying home, sinking in what I have missed for all these years abroad draws some sanctification for me. Sure, we’d enjoy touring places, but basically, I find myself way beyond as a tourist here: a wayward youth returning to his village, and discovering many changes. My new-found western cooking cuisine and taste signifies our long years abroad and it finally sinks in when it changes our taste buds, sigh. A road of no return ?