Been a while since I had a Sunday to myself.... two months actually, two months that Johnny was staying up here from Kaohsiung.... Since he is now doing his obligatory, one year, duties for his country - we are back to normal scheduling with Juju Duties... meaning Mom & Dad taking care of her on the weekends... and with no other getaway schedule on the calendar - I am on my own for a while... and am HAPPY.... gives me a chance to tend to my own things, catch up on personal matters and even get some rests in between... and most of all, I have a chance again to go out and about, do my own thing - walk about, window shop and people watching - on my own, on my own schedule.
Started the day like I do almost every Sunday... Get Up, have a cup of Coffee n Get ready for Church... After the Sunday Mass, I head on down to the Filipino Building for some Pinoy Food Special for lunch... Always a YUMMY Treat..... NOTE: It still surprises me to see so many Ates carrying LVs, GUCCIs, and other desingner brands - not to mention using iPhones to call their love ones abroad.... hmmmmmm, Taiwan must be paying them well.... am in the wrong business....
Then I hopped on the 310 bus to the ever changing and very hip Xiemending Area for some window shopping and people watching - still, and always will be a FAVE pastime of mine....
This being Halloween Weekend, I knew there will be something happening in Ximending... well, there is always something happening there but for sure this weekend would be so much more.... and I was right... happened upon a few things: Jolin Tsai, Taiwan's Pop Princess, promoting her new CD..... Ghouls and Monsters abound walking the streets (see above photo).... and even popular food joints like, TGI Fridays (see photo below), celebrates with their workers all dressed up and very happy to oblige for photo snaps - with both customers and passers by...
And as always, a trip to the Ximending Area is not complete without a visit to the Red House: Home for some of Taiwan's creative talents - both well known and upcoming - showing off their creativity and showcasing their products.... always a feast for the eyes to see the things they have to offer.....
And unbeknown to me, the day just happen to be Taiwan's Gay Pride Weekend... sadly I missed the Parade that happened in the morning.... left are just some booths and celebrants hanging in the back of the Red House Building - which is pretty much the Gay Mecca in Taipei... here you can see clothing and accessory shops, cafes, restaurants and bars, Skin Care and Hair Parlors - all serving the Rainbow market.... So I just walked about a bit and took in what I could, what is left.....
I saw a crown gathering taking snaps so I headed on down there... to see who and what is all the fuzz about.... everyone seems to be taking turns taking a photo with this hunky guy... did not really know who he was but what the heck - took my turn in a photo opt with him.... Later I found out he was a celebrity guest - he is Jason Chee, a Singaporean Fitness and Underwear Model.... and he took part in the parade plus walked the catwalk in his skivvies to promote the NUM undie and swim wear lines... Oh yeah, he was also a runner up a couple of years back in the Manhunt International Contest... that one was won by a Filipino.
Then it was time to go.... so I headed on down to the bus stop and came across another great and fun new addition to the Ximen area - the TROP PENSER CAFE!!! Looking cool and fun with all the colors and characters adorning the walls.... all by a local Taiwan artists, already big in the toy and art scene. I can tell this will be a FAVE hang out of mine.... For Sure!!!
Stopped by the SOGO area to pick up a couple of things... and for the first time ever, I was in time to see the department stores, famous mechanical version of "It's a Small World" in action. This mini version, still trills and delights all viewers. It was obvious that young and old alike were enjoying this.... very much... myself included... LOL...
Capped off my night with a viewing of Moulin Rouge - been a while since I ahve seen it and it still is, as good as ever... the music, the sets, the costumes, and of course, Nicole Kidman.... already a Classic in my book!
Just got home from seeing this film.... been waiting for NINE with bated breath ever since I so the first PREVIEWS a few months back.... what a cast and helmed by the same director of CHICAGO -- so right away one has HIGH HOPES... not to mention, the fact that I had seen the play many years ago with Mr Antonio Banderas in it and loved it... so am a bit familiar with the songs....
An instant CLASSIC, if you ask me... just like one of the classics from the Golden Years of Hollywood. Just as uber talented director, Baz Luhrmann revived the musical with Moulin Rouge, he does so the romantic-epic of yesteryear with this movie, Australia.
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