As I sit at my computer and eat lunch I am reminded of last night . . . .
Fran and I went out yesterday after my language class (in the pouring rain) so that I could get my ears lowered and have a hamburger for dinner.
I got my hair cut off shorter than ever and I think I like it. We then went to a TGIFridays in an area that caters to foreigners. They have one of the best hamburgers in Taipei. We were not disappointed 
After that we went to a grocery store that has a little bit of “normal” western stuff looking for some “normal” salad dressing. If you like Thousand Island you can get it anywhere, but anything else requires a bit of searching. Anyway . . . .
After the grocery store we stopped at a McDonald’s for some ice cream. I know, I know, not exactly the best in town but at least it’s not $3 a scoop! While we were sitting at our table enjoying the ice cream and each other’s company I saw something I have never saw before.
There was a lady at a nearby table who had obviously settled in for the long haul. Dinner (fish sandwich, fries, and two bowls of soup), cell phone, notepad all laid out and ready for the evening. While she was on the phone chatting I watched her as she opened up 4 or 5 packets of pepper (ground black pepper) and pour them into a nice big pile. Then she started dipping her fries into the pepper (like I do with ketchup) and ate them. Yummy, huh?
jackie
