Taiwaneers

Tonight is a perfect example of the random wonderfulness that is the “expat-lifestyle.”

One of our roommates, Phil, recently went to Hong Kong on a visa run. While there he met a Hong Kongese dude named Jacky. Jacky showed Phil a good time and took him around and stuff. Earlier this week Jacky called Phil and told him, “hey, I’m coming to Taiwan for the weekend.” So Thursday night Jacky showed up at our house and Phil has been taking him out and showing him around Taipei with Jacky sleeping on our couch in between.

Earlier this evening Jacky cooked us dinner…he used to be a chef, but the head chef in the posh restaurant he worked at didn’t allow the use of any machines – so Jacky hurt his arm whisking egg whites all day, every day…now he works at some internet company or something (actually I’m not exactly sure). So anyways it wasn’t only us at dinner. Phil invited this girl he’s been out with a few times. Jacky invited this other Taiwanese girl he had met in Hong Kong (him being the out-going, fun-loving guy he is) and she brought along her sister. Plus, Jacky invited these three South African guys he had also met and shown good times to in Hong Kong, but who live here in Taiwan. Rachel, our friend, also happened to be here this evening as well.

So now the scene is set. A Hong Kongese guy, who happens to be here at our house for the weekend and used to be a professional chef is cooking dinner for us: an American couple (Emily and I), Rachel our American friend, Phil our American roommate, three Taiwanese girls, and three South African guys here at our house in Taipei. He cooked us Foie Gras on top of vinegar-pickled apple slices as the main course alongside a Greek salad. Next came scallops and sea bass covered in garlic mayonnaise sauce, followed by pasta with white sauce and bacon. And lastly, eaten slowly and with savor, a cheese platter of bleu, brie, and camenbert cheeses eaten on top of slightly fried french bread slices. Can anyone say yum?

I wasn’t sure how I’d like duck liver but now I have to say I have drank the cool-aid and am a big Foie Gras fan. Thank you Jacky!

What a great life it is to be a foreigner. Where else do I get to be a minority and reap the benefits of minority fellowship with a whole bunch of other foreigners displaced and in need of community?