Walk it

-You never really know a part of town until you've had (or chosen) to walk through it.

-Today, for the first time in my year-and-a-half here, somebody answered with a definite "yes" when I timidly (yes, it _is_ possible for me to be timid, thankyouverymuch) asked "do you speak English?" For those who don't know, the usual answer -- even when it turns out they speak pretty well -- is "ooohhh... [mumble] a liiitle..." (it's surprising how many Taiwanese people actually speak even "a little" English -- compared to, say, Texas; haha; I mean, Brasil :] ; or even Thailand). Or an assertive "no". Maybe it was the part of town...

-Mari and I nearly managed to flag down two trash trucks, in an attempt to make sure we didn't miss a late-night bus. It was dark... we were silly... aherm...

-Bank clerk: ... the card needs to be activated... oh, you're not the company owner... ...
--Ange: It's okay, I'll get my boss on the phone and he can get it activated...
-Bank clerk: Okay, we'll need to... ...
--Ange: [Phone conversation to sort out card activation]
---Both: [Waiting for call confirming activation of card; somebody's "Bad Romance" ring tone starts, well, ringing; nobody answers, so a good portion of the song plays]
--Ange: Haha, Lady Gaga... in a bank... that's funny... in a bank... how weird... [only in Taiwan; and maybe South Korea; and Japan]
-Bank clerk: Giggle-giggle.
---Both: [Sort out card-related business]
-Bank clerk: Goodbye. Maybe you come back again... to hear Lady Gaga... Giggle-giggle...
--Ange: Haha! Okay!!