Cleaning Frenzy

We are settled back into our original flat.  It turns out the leak was due to heavy rains the night before we arrived.  We were a little sad to leave the immaculate replacement apartment, but I knew that I would be claustrophobic after a month without being able to see outside. The positive points of moving back are the big windows looking onto the alley, and the fact that we already know our neighbor.

Ted, our host, came to collect us and took us in a taxi back to the flat.  We took time to ask questions about the flat and to make a few requests. We asked for cleaning supplies to clean the kitchen. He pointed to a disgusting sponge and said, "There's the sponge, that will work, won't it?"  I decided not to press the point.  Then we asked for 2 more chairs, so when David and Chia visit we could all sit at the table together for a meal.  I also asked for cups and glasses.  He thought that was a good idea and asked if two of each would be good.  Once again I told him 4 of us would like a cup of tea at the same time.  So, Ted went shopping last night and will come over today with cups, glasses, chairs and a pot big enough to boil noodles. Sheesh.  By the way, Ted is a French 30 something, from Paris.

As soon as Ted left, Taylor and I went to the local supermarket and bought rubber gloves, sponges, dish cloths, scrubbers, etc.  Oddly enough, Ted has lots of Mr. Muscle under the kitchen sink.  Then we went to work scouring the kitchen.  I know it hasn't been cleaned in a very long time.  We worked up a serious sweat during two hours of work.  Ted's cleaning lady has been pulling the wool over his eyes for quite some time. Now, the kitchen is spotless and we can warm bottles for our precious Soup.

Now we are settled in, enjoying the view of our alley from our windows, and loving the presence of Soup when he comes to visit.

Last night, Chia took us to a traditional Taiwanese restaurant for dinner so we finally had real Taiwanese food.  These people sure know how to cook.  And the restaurant is right down the alley from our flat.

Chia selecting the fresh seafood and vegetables for our dinner.

The bin on to right is full of fresh, young bamboo shoots.  They are fabulous and do not resemble the ones we buy in cans in the US.

This fish was so tender and sweet.

Next to the restaurant is this temple:

And when we looked past the temple, we saw this fabulous view of Taipei 101.

Even though we've had a cleaning frenzy, and the disruption of moving back and forth to apartments, we love our neighborhood.  We also love living in the same city as Soup.