What Hat Are You Wearing Today 1?

[Alive'n'Amplified]

And I stuck with my 20 all day. I tried to get a pic of my dog, but she wouldn't cooperate.

 

[jlee562]

went stingy today in my Resistol Gotham I, kitten finish felt, for a walk on the beach with my puppy.

 

[scooter]

Wearing my Pilgrim Featherlite Aqua-pruf and just back from watching my beloved Packers lose a heartbreaker to San Fran. The refs sucked to high heaven, but to be fair, the Pack did not play as well as the 49'ers. Don't be fooled by the smile, inside my heart is breaking! LOL

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

went stingy today in my Resistol Gotham I, kitten finish felt, for a walk on the beach with my puppy.

Puppies and kittens go great together!! Nice hat, Jared! That felt looks good in the sunshine. Smooooooth...

 

[tealseal]

Looking good gents!
@JLee I like that stingy. Is there a hat you cannot wear?
@Alive'n'Amplified: Nice 20! Looks comfortable. Shame the dog is camera shy!
@scooter: I saw the game...huge bummer. Nice hat! You wear it well, in happiness and heartbreak.

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

Out sipping coffee by the lake this morning. Wearing my chocolate Stetson Whippet (50's).

Best, Eric -

I commend you on such a killer purchase, Eric!!! Wow. That hat is stunning. And in your size! Wish I had that kind of fortune here in Atlanta. It's all about timing.

 

[tomb1013]

A little cooler today my VS Hitchhiker. Tom-

 

[scooter]

Nice, Tom, very nice!

SBG, killer whippet, I have one very similar.

Jared, I'm not much of a stingy guy, but you rock that look!

 

[Alive'n'Amplified]

Wow, Tom! Awesome! I like the subtle pinch. :thumb:

 

[Neophyte]

The Hitchhiker looks great, first time I've seen one head-on.

Scooter, that Pilgrim's got a great color. Looks good on you.

 

[delectans]

Notes On Our Summer Travels Across Longitude And Time Zones (Part 4)


Morning rush hour traffic along Zhongxiao East Road, August 9th.



After struggling for several days with jet-lag, Ryan and Lydia are finally up to speed and we head further afield. Walking to the Taipei Metro. OPTIMO Montecristi.



Scanning my MRT Easy Card.



Chinese actress Liu Xiaoqing. Alas, we would return to the U.S. just prior to opening night of her play.



Heavy-capacity train arriving at the station. Taipei's MRT is among the cleanest and most civil mass transit systems we have encountered.







The heavy-capacity trains are built by Siemens A.G. of Germany. Ryan and his OPTIMO Montecristi. Center creased Classic Fedora.



Up and out.



Passing by the rear of the Presidential Office Building

 

[delectans]

Patriotic relief mural on the side of a military building.



The Republic Of China Armed Forces Museum. Fascinating museum documenting the birth and history of the Republic Of China and her armed forces.



Traditional carved stone lions guarding the entrance. Male lion with its right paw upon the world, in the background.



Military Police caps from the 45th year of the Republic Of China(1956), left, and 1968.



Footlocker from the Second Sino-Japanese War. Well worn fedora full of character, among its contents.



Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek's cape and visor cap, ca. 1940s, as worn during the Sino-Japanese conflict.






Tactical planning at Kuomintang field headquarters.

 

[delectans]

T65K2 assault rifle. The museum is an overlooked gem, and the interactive exhibits were a real joy. We shared the museum with only the affable military staff and a few school-children on a field trip.



There is an astonishing array of small eateries everywhere you walk in Taipei. This steamed-bun shop caught our eye...



...and so we stopped for a quick bite.



The large billboard advertising "Egg Custard Factory" was difficult to ignore...



...and downright irresistible when we saw the custard being poured...



...and caught the aroma wafting from the oven.



Gone within a block.



We explore the Ximen district on foot, at a leisurely pace.



The allure of back alley lighting is hard to resist for a few photos.

 

[delectans]

Taipei is a mecca for the Otaku, with countless small shops catering to their obsession. Expensive model kits can be purchased for a fraction of their retail prices in these tiny stalls packed to the rafters.



Ximending is known for its shopping and the merchandise spill out from the stores to completely envelop the sidewalks.



The pedestrian malls of Ximending are a vibrant and dynamic gathering place for young people.



Stingy straws and fabric caps were popular this Summer in Taipei.



We leave Ximending before being overrun by the massive crowds, which begin to gather around noon. Most businesses and many restaurants do not begin their day until late morning, but stay open until very late into the evening, catering to the throngs who enjoy the night-life every day of the week.



The MRT station at Ximending has a gathering point for friends to meet up before hitting the shops and restaurants.



We take the MRT to the SOGO(Fuxing) Department Store in the early afternoon, and are immediately drawn to the excellent food court conveniently connected directly to the MRT station. Oyster omelette, a traditional Taiwanese staple, and one of our favorites.



We work on our oyster omelettes while waiting for a table at Din Tai Fung, one of the New York Times World's Top 10 Restaurants in 1993. Michelin star-rated, as well.



A tireless platoon of workers wrapping their famous Xiaolongbao.

 

[delectans]

Wonderful, cheerful service, and attention to detail: Elusive in many metropolises but experienced everywhere we went in Taiwan. The super efficient and friendly waitresses bring a little hamper tableside for patrons to deposit their purses and other items, then place a cloth over it to protect the contents from accidental food splatter.



Proper hat etiquette aside, I decided it was safer to keep my hat on my noggin.



Ah, our order arrives from the kitchen.



A new offering: Truffle Xiaolongbao.



Ryan examining his xialongbao.



Exquisite little morsels.



At roughly $3USD apiece, an expensive menu item, but a real bargain.



Incredibly, each xialongbao is filled with several slices of real, White Truffle, and not just truffle oil. Indescribably delicious!

 

[delectans]

As the rain came down in the early evening rush hour, we changed into more formal attire(but same hat), and head for supper. Waiting to a hail a cab.



Lights of Xinyi Road reflected in the evening rain.



We are about to eat yet again! Rong Rong Yuan, probably the best restaurant in Taipei serving Zhejiang and Jiangsu cuisine. One of our favorites in Taipei, and frequented by many of the Kuomintang old guard.

 

[Flick]

Al, I just wanted to thank you for the incredibly informative photo essay you are developing within this thread. Your pictures are excellent. And the food pics are, shall I say it...delectable...

Thank you.

 

[alanfgag]

Really marvelous set of pictures, AL, thanks for taking the time to share them.

I want the full story on your time with the Kuomintang.

 

[seabass]

Knox Milan

The Kid is sporting a BrooksBrothers Featherweight made in England weighs equal to a feather almost.

 

[alanfgag]

Fabulous shots, Grampa. :eusa_clap