Neiwan/Taipei, Taiwan

Yesterday morning I was getting settled in for a day of email, light nanotechnology reading and couchsurfing chat when my boss told me the department was going off site for a meeting and asked if I wanted to come. I like to see new places, I am in. As I pile into the van I am told we are going to a hot springs resort and would I should grab an (unnecessary) swimsuit. We head to this really nice hotel/spa in Neiwan about 20 km way where then I sit through the morning in a meeting in Mandarin to discuss the future of my department. I have a good lunch of lamb chop and then I am sent off to the resort.

I spent the afternoon sitting around a tub of hot water with a bunch of old naked Taiwanese dudes on my employer’s dime.

Other then the initial awkwardness and my attempts to avoid small talk and eye contact, it was very pleasant. The water was 41 C, didn't smell of sulfur and had minerals, vitamins, beta-carotene or something cause I was quite relaxed after soaking for a bit. The resort was tucked into the mountains by a river and the afternoon fog accentuated the green surroundings. This little island can be really pretty.

The weekend was spent in Taipei. We bused in to get a haircut. I so regret getting my hair chopped off in Palo Alto. Male hair here is out of control and I would love to rock the long spiked Asian mullet look right now. What is it about hindsight? We were then fed by my friend's aunt and uncle, got some sound gear and then went out. We tried to get some stuff at the Shilin night market, but the place was crazy packed. We then met up with some NYC kids to share a bottle at Kama (Karma?) and then around 3 or 4 hit up the KTV (Karaoke/TV). Off-key hilarity ensued.

Seriously, why can't all my jobs have required spa days?