Day 6

Our plan today was to find something for everyone. Tea- related activity for Bill, shopping for kids and a temple for me.

Again Jason's cousin made our day.
There are a few tea shops in Taiwan that are in a traditional style from a certain area in Mainland China. Only one is left in the city of Taipei and Jason 's Cousin was able to arrange a visit for us.
The experience began with the proprietor giving us a large earthen bowl with a mixture of ingredients including peanuts that we took turns pulverizing with a thick stick.  Then she prepared a soup -like tea from the powder. It was unlike any tea we had had before but was tasty . This was followed by a many course  meal of small plates made of typical Taiwanese food . This is everyday food as opposed to the fancy Chinese banquet food we had been eating. Very pleasant and very filling.  

We then headed to the  Ximending area that is a favorite of young people. Our young people seemed to enjoy the little shops and picked up some souvenirs.

Next stop was the Longshin temple . It was much more crowded and  more active than the Buddhist temples we have visited in Korea. Supplicants make offerings to specific deities depending on their need. There is one for people seeking a spouse , one for parents who want their kids to get into a good school and so forth. People burn incense and bring offerings of food and flowers . Today amidst  the exotic fruits and flowers we saw a box of Krispy  Cream  donuts, Something for all tastes I guess.

Now Jason is taking Joe to get a massage. ( I'm trying not to think about this too much)
Later Jason's friends here are taking Martha, Jason , Joe and Kevin  out to dinner Taiwanese place.
Bill , Patty and I plan a more sedate evening.