Mark's house

11/9/2010

Let me tell you about Mark's house. He lives in a gated community just outside of Taipei. The high school where he teaches is in Neihu nearby. The homes here are in twos with a parking garage undeneath. He drives into the garage and backs into his space which also contains a motor scooter. You open the door and climb 4 short flights of stairs to his door. The other home door is one flight down. If you climb one more flight, you will come to a door that opens to the front, but it is not his front door. I think it just gives access for mail and services.

When you come in the door, there are more stairs, up and down. The top floor is his bedroom and bath. The next is a study and and a small extra bedroom. The next floor down is the main floor: living room, his son's room (18 and in college), big bath and laundry. Then down another floor to the guest room and kitchen.

Our bedroom is Japanese style with tatami mats and futons. There is an armoire on one side and a low table beside it. On the table is a shelf unit with a Buddha, teapot, and several things that are probably special to him. There is a low lamp in one corner. One wall is a closet with large, deep drawers for storage of the bedding and other things. The room is a step up and closed off with sliding screens. It is very comfortable.

Doors to guest room
Futons

There is a living area outside the guest room. He has a big screen TV and an audio setup with a CD player, vacuum tube receiver and a radio. The sound is very nice. We can watch children's programs, CNN in English, National Geographic also in English with Chinese subtitles, and other channels in Chinese.

Armoire and chest with display shelves

I am sitting in the dining area, divided from the rest of the room by an antique carving about 4' high and 5' long. It is gorgeous and interesting. The table looks to be made of walnut and has a lazy Susan and 6 chairs. Behind me are 2 small tables with the hot water pot and some other things.

Dining table with lazy Susan

Through the door behind me at the table is the bathroom. It includes a large lavatory, a shower stall, and the toilet area. The shower has a a spigot, a rain showerhead, and one on a hose you can hold in your hand.

The kitchen is through the other door in the dining area. It has a sink, dishwashing apparatus, fridge, microwave, convection oven, and a stove top with 2 burners. There is a door to a storage area.

The carvings are remarkable. There are 3 of them, all about the same size 4' x 5', made of a wood I cannot identify. It is about the color of walnut, but with a a different grain, and must have come from huge trees. I can't say what the carvings are about. They are probably Chinese legends. Mark says they are old.

We are going to the floral exposition today wih Ian's parents, so I need to get ready. We had a full day yesterday with Joyce and Aileen.