Waking up in the morning wasn't so bad. Sure I was a little tired but whatever, didn't have any time to waste to sleep more. I thought about ordering breakfast but after doing the exchange rate on the menu definately decided against it and had an egg McMuffin combo.

This morning I had to meet my friends way up north at Tamshui Station. Somebody online said it was really beautiful and completely away from the city craziness. I'm a big fan of not always being surrounded by concrete so I was totally up for it. The subway ride up was long but really nice.

Also a funny thing happened to me on the train. I had brought my McDonald's breakfast (always count on that universal taste) and this little kid was just staring at me. laughing with his grandmother. I thought maybe he's looking at me because I'm white (happens) or maybe he's looking at the two rollerblades straped to my backpack that he might have never seen before (happens). so whatever, I smiled at him. when it was his turn to get off. he and his grandmother came up to me and he read a sign behind me that said "no eating or drinking". I thought 'oh wow how cute, he can read english'. then transfered trains and started eating a sweet bun and everyone around me staring at me again. I didn't really think too much of it again. Some lady told me that I should stop eating right away! I said "um ok sure" not thinking it's really that much of a big deal. but I found out after that you get fined like 75bucks on the spot! yikes!

So anyhow, when I got the station and for my friends to show up, I just relaxed a bit. soaking in the many rays of sun baking my skin. I began to worry because I couldn't even reach them but they eventually showed up and it worked out perfectly fine. but dam was it a hot day! woah!! nice way to spend the end of the summer. this place was right on the waterfront. The fishing boats were cool and there was yet another market up there! haha. still just as crowded though. We also took a boat to another part of the waterfront. the boat ride was wicked! so nice to be riding on the water, been a while.

Getting on the other side was really beautiful, we passed by a bunch of fishermen on our way to a really gorgeous bridge! I forget the name of it now, some kanji stuff. but the area was called "fisherman's warf" or something. definately a nice area. but my friends were right that they should put more stuff to do there. Theres a couple restaurants, a 7/11 and that's about it. Definately worth a visit though.