Tuesday19thJune07

Today was the Dragon-boat Festival.

I was faced with two choices: to go stand in a packed place and hope to maybe catch the odd glimpse of the boat races, or, to go as a 'plus one' with a friend to a Taiwanese family's house she had been invited to in Taipei.

I chose the second. And I was so glad I did.

We joined them for lunch complete with the traditional Dragon-boat Festival food – sticky rice with either meat or red bean, wrapped in some kid of leaf in a triangle. I'm not overly fond of the rice, but the rest of the food was amazing! Everything from shrimp and sea cucumber casarole, to bamboo salid. There was loads of food, and all homemade traditional Chinese style.

I sat across the table from the Grandma who spent the whole time looking up at me and smilling or giggling. She was fascinated and seemingly impressed by my apparently 'perfect' hold and use of chopsticks (I guess it has something to do with being taught how to use them when I was little) which is possibly one of the best compliments I've had since I've been here. Then when I would go to try something new, taking only a little to taste first, she would lean across the table (completely ignoring my attempts to stop her) and fill up the rest of my bowl with whatever it was that I had just taken. I became very cautious of what I tried, unless I was willing to commit, it was avoided, or at least until she wasn't looking.

They also taught us one of the coolest things ever. Once a year, on this day, between 11am and 1pm it is possible (with a steady hand and a bit of luck) to balance an egg vertically on its fat end. Our hostess managed to do it, and it just sat there until around one o'clock when it fell over. I'd never have believed it if I hadn't seen it.

They welcomed us in like part of the family, teaching us how to play Chinese chess and then taking us out on a tour after lunch. It has to be one of the best afternoons I've had here, and a great opportunity to see some real Chinese culture.