Day 3

Day 3:
Our AIT( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Institute_in_Taiwan )appointment did not go well at all! This is an American agency that issues the visas. The AIT informed our guide that we did not have an appointment and to come back tomorrow! Our guide was very upset and made several phone calls. She told us we may not get to leave until Tuesday. Andrew said “I don’t want to stay here till then!” We had to go back to the hotel to fax several documents and made plans to go shopping and to the Martyrs Shine at 1:00.
We stopped at a store and bought several small things to give to Brooke when she is older. Then we went to the Grand Hotel. It is very beautiful and large. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Hotel_(Taipei_City) Later we went to the Martyrs Shine ( http://www.taiwan.com.au/Envtra/Taipei/report37.html) to see the changing of the guards. See video (not ours) http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=2jCuZ7UAIsE . Our guide was helpful in explaining the importance of this place. While there a group of school girls came up and ask to take our photo. They were about 10 or 11 years old. They continued to come up and say HI and Bye! Later we ask if we could take their photo. This made them very happy. We had noticed several people taking our photo while we have been here in Taiwan. Andrew finds this very strange. One of the students spoke some English and she would tell the “brave” girl to say something to us. At one point she said to Andrew “You are very handsome”! Brooke did really well during the outing. We were all tired and went to the hotel room. On the way back Mei-Ru received a call and informed us that AIT was going to issue the Visa tomorrow. She said she was going to have to apologize to AIT, even though it was their fault. That’s our government for you!! Mr. Ru from AIT called to apologize stating “My boss said for me to call and say I am sorry” I’m sure this will be how Mei-Ru will apologize tomorrow. Andrew and I did not eat lunch, so we were starving!! So we decided to try another restaurant in our neighborhood…..Pizza Hut. We made Byron take the first bite! Andrew and I are afraid to eat anything. Byron made a face that said it was not good. Andrew and I said “Oh no what are we going to eat!” Luckily he was just kidding. The pizza was great, just like it is in the U.S.!!!
I went to bed at 6:00pm and woke up at 8:00 pm to hear Brooke screaming. She cried for about 2 hours and finally went to sleep. Andrew slept thought the entire melt-down. Brooke maybe getting sicker. She seemed better yesterday, but last night began coughing and sounded congested.
Here is a video of the Temple we went to the first day: http://www.mefeedia.com/entry/998921/
Day four:
Just like clock work, Andrew and I are up at 3:00 am.! Today we will be going to Taipei 101