More uncanny horoscopes, if you believe in that thing

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): I trust you've traveled all over creation in 2009 -- or have at least exposed yourself to a wide range of novel sights and sounds near your home turf. I pray that you've escaped one shrunken niche, two narrow perspectives, and three low expectations. I'm also hoping that in these last 12 months, you have regularly sought out pleasant jolts and breathtaking vistas that have inspired you to see the big picture of your unfolding destiny. If you haven't been doing these things with the eager abandon you should have, please take the next flight to the other side of the world. Eat unfamiliar food, meet people who are very different from you, listen to strange music, climb a mountain, and get your mind blown.


I think I passed.

In the twelve months of this year, 2009 gave to me:
12 visited countries;
11 months of homelessness;
10 separate flights;
9 different renters;
8 new pairs of shoes;
7 started phone numbers;
6 tubes of mascara;
5 bouts of montezuma's;
4 summer reunions;
3 different jobs;
2 alternators go out while driving;
and 1 new god niece.

Leaving Taiwan

Again, I'm in the airport killing time. Luckily someone has taken pity on us poor souls and installed free internet terminals that actually work.How much duty free shopping can a person do in one day, really? I find when you have one small bag, it's not very fulfilling. (However, one pair of my pants already has see-through patches and I've repaired one t-shirt and my swimming suit, so I'll have to break down and shop one of these days.)

A two-minute synopsis for you:
Taiwan is where...
You are greeted with "morning!" or "good morning!" regardless the time of day when entering a store.
About a third of the population wears face masks to protect against pollution and reduce disease spread.
They have the most extensive recycling sytem in a McDonald's that I've ever seen.
When you hear the ice cream man, it's actually the garbage truck!
The people are exceptionally friendly and genuinely want to help.
The center of the island is filled with mountains and hiking trails are abundant.
You can get food anytime of the day at one of their glorious night markets. (Just watch out for the "stinky tofu"- it is just as it sounds.)

The next journey begins when Carrie arrives in Bangkok in the wee hours of January 9th. I'll be waiting with bells on at the airport. For the new year, I'll continue spreading peace and gaining knowledge. I'll also clean up the skeletons in my closet and get home to see my loved ones.