So we are back in Kaohsiung. Back to the crowds. Back to the noise. Back to the smog. And yet.... There are wonders to discover, even here.

We went for a walk to pay our electric and phone bills at the 7-11 and take a stroll around the turtle pond at Aozhidi Park. By the way, how cool is that, being able to pay your bills at the convenience store. No postage, no figuring out the Chinese websites, and there's a 7-11 on nearly every corner. Talk about a convenience store!

After the bills were paid we headed across the street but a flash of brilliant blue caught our attention and we went to investigate. There's a meadow next to the park and there were a couple dozen people with the most beautiful birds I've ever seen, all out getting their macaws and parrots a little exercise and social time. Unfortunately, we didn't bring our cameras but it turns out this group of bird owners comes out every Sunday afternoon to fly their birds. We'll be out of town next Sunday, on a hike along the eastern coast, but we'll be back at the bird meadow in two weeks, cameras in hand.