Day ~ 6 Research and Rahoe Street Night Market

The majority of day 6 was spent in the cancer research lab at Academia Sinica in Taipei.  The researchers and graduate students there: Leo, Archer, Victor, and Shelly, spent the day walking us through various experiments we will be doing later in our trip, as well as getting to know us.  After a hot pot lunch at a local restaurant with the group, we spent the afternoon in the lab learning different protocols.  We viewed cell culture, cell fixing and staining, as well as some tests and techniques involving lab mice.  The whole experience was very interesting, and gave the whole group a glimpse into the daily work and lab life of a researcher.  After, we spent the evening with the same people in the Rahoe St. night market.  Here, I spent the evening with Archer, Victor, Leo, and their friends trying different foods and exploring different alleys in the market.  I tried stinky tofu with honey mustard, fried squid, candied fruit on a stick, fried sweet potato balls, tapioca, and green milk bubble tea.  The market was stuffed with people, it was difficult to move around, and it was so noisy we had to communicate using gestures rather than words.  The whole place was loud, chaotic, and filled with bright lights and great food.  It was definitely a fun end to a great day.