week 68_the Oklahomans in Taipei_DAY 3

On the third day, the ladies were finally forced to venture out on their own, as the hubby and I were both scheduled to work.

As a moderately easy adventure we decided to send them to the nearby town of Yingge - a mecca for ceramists and all things pottery. From Taipei City, it is easy to take the blue MRT line to the last station (West) Yongning. From there you can take a taxi ride to Yingge Old Ceramics Street, and it's only about 15 minutes drive if I remember correctly. The night before their mini-trip I made sure to write down the names of Yingge and the MRT station in Chinese for the girls so that there would be no confusion.

AND, luckily it seems that they really enjoyed their day in Yingge!

And they're off! Down the escalator into the MRT station!
[The Taipei blue MRT line runs almost entirely underground]

Guess the toilet in the floor was part of their adventure? These are common in older
Asian construction and still considered more sanitary than a Western toilet, as you
never sit down on a surface that others have sat on - you just squat.
Ladies, for those of you who've never tried it, imagine holding your purse and toilet
while squatting over a hole in the ground with your clothes down, trying not to touch
the floor.... challenging!

Ah! They made it to Yingge Old Ceramics Street. Love the cobblestones.

Some pottery on display. 

Art and ceramics are everywhere there! It's a fun place to visit :)

And the ladies even enjoyed a nice afternoon tea.

I'm especially pleased that my Mom & Sis enjoyed their day trip to Yingge... not only because both Jason and I were unable to entertain that one day, but also because it was probably a real adventure for these two Okie girls, exploring a small town in Asia on their own with no tour guide and no Mandarin Chinese ability!