The Girl Who Took Off Work to Help Two Strangers

This is our angel, Danny. 

Danny and Dan. =).  I hope this post doesn't confuse anybody.
 For the record I never refer to Daniel as Danny. haha.

S:  One of Dan's friends at law school gave us her contact info.  After emailing back and forth we finally met her.  We couldn't be more grateful for someone so kind to show us around the city and teach us how to get to some important places.  I couldn't speak Chinese with Danny but oddly enough I've never felt a communication barrier with her.   She has a way of making you feel comfortable and loved just by her gentleness.  And, she has a great laugh!    

We rode around on the metro a lot.

The metros here are very clean.  There is a minimum $50(US) fine for eating or drinking while aboard.  People are asked to keep their phone calls brief and I've noticed if they do use their phone they cup their hand over their mouth.

I love the little look in her eyes.  

She copied him all on her own.  

The best part of all:

Michelle needed to be changed after one of our MRT rides.  So, after spotting a "family bathroom" sign in the station we hustled inside these doors.

And to our surprise we found something that looked like this:

...a toilet for BABIES!

HA!  Could this really be?  This was the moment I knew Asia and I were going to get along really well.  You have to understand that Dan and I have been doing this crazy thing with Michelle. Our awesome neighbor taught us about this thing called "EC" (elimination communication)  which is basically where you teach your baby to be aware of bathroom cues right away. Michelle's been sitting on a her own little seat since she was able to sit up. (Yeah I know it sounds weird.  BUT, this really works!!  And come to find out a majority of Asians start potty training at 6 months. )  

She knew just what to do.  Bahah.  I'm sorry but this makes me laugh so much.  We were dying!

There is a seat to strap your baby to the wall as well.  

The MRT's even have breastfeeding rooms.  It's really quite a family friendly place.

Back to Danny...

Danny helped us get to several districts to look at potential housing.  We found many options but few places would rent for only 2 months. Some places made my eyes water from cigarette smoke.  Other places were so tiny I would have felt like I was living in a shoebox.  I mean, I would be fine with a small place, but some places didn't even have a place for our luggage.

This is the Neihu district.

Danny treated us to chocolate milk from the Bubble Tea shop.  Those dark things are chewy jelly balls and when I asked what they were Daniel told me that they were fish eyes!  I nearly choked to death.  He told me his trainer did that to him when he was a missionary.  (He went to Toronto, mandarin speaking)

I was watching Daniel literally glow as he spoke Chinese on this day.  He looked so so happy. 

She spotted a dog.  Whenever this happens she flaps her arms like a bird and squeals, "DAW! DAW!"

 After an afternoon of meeting and visiting with Danny's family (who are also wonderful) and some more housing hunting she took us to see where the church was for Sunday (which happens to be directly next to the temple), and out for some dinner at a local hotspot.

On a bus.  Michelle's face! 

It was pouring rain and I took this under my umbrella.  This sight made my heart sing!

To be honest, I was a little afraid to eat this dinner.

But it shocked me how delicious it was!  This is a Japanese pork soup noodle dish.

Daniel's dish was amazing too.  (Pork and egg)

We tried to pay for this meal but Danny insisted that it would be rude because it is Taiwanese custom to take us out as we are new here.  I just can't get over how she gave up so much to help us when she never had even met us before.  What wonderful people there are in this world!  We won't be new for long.  And that means Danny has somethin comin!