Waiting to board the flight out of Taiwan.
After breakfast, I was able to visit my friend in the hospital and get my medical records before checking out of the Fullerton South ( love that hotel!) and being driven (no traffic, uneventful ride) to the airport.
It occurs to me how much more civilized many processes are here, especially those where you have to spend money! At the hotel, check-in was a breeze and they gave me express check out. The room contained a lovely fruit plate (kiwi, banana, asian pear), water, coffee and tea. Breakfast was delicious and as I pulled away from the Fullerton, I felt I’d come full circle: this is where I stayed my first month in Taiwan.
At the airport, check in/security/immigration processes are much friendlier. The Asiana agent that checked my luggage in was gracious about the slight overweightness. Luckily I’d planned for my carry on to be overweight and pulled enough stuff out and into my extra satchel that I was able to proceed to security.
I’d forgotten that I had an aerosol can in my carry-on but the agents were kind and actually let me use the hairspray again before confiscating it and LOGGING it. TSA, take note!
They did, however, miss my 3-plus ounce can of Mr. Brown coffee, oops!
The immigration officer seemed genuinely sad that I would not be returning to Taiwan.
The only thing keeping me from crying my eyes out is hearing the happiness in my Dad’s voice when I talked to him yesterday. His final chapter is starting, as is my next one.
Goodbye for now, Taiwan.
Asia's best kept secret... 