The world’s greatest rest stop
Aaron and I drove in Taiwan for the first time last week. The freeways were easy peasy. City streets, however, requires video gamer alertness and agility, as scooters dart and weave with abandon and trucks merge in front of one’s Honda Fit, which is just a smidge larger than a Smart Car.
As we barreled south on the 3 freeway, one of the island’s 10 incredibly well-maintained highways, we came across nothing short of a revelation. The rest stop known as Lamungan (南投服務區) boggled the mind. Downstairs was a beautifully designed and tastefully lit food court featuring delicious shrimp and noodles and local delicacies like taro cakes and Assam black tea and free wi-fi and also bras for sale. Upstairs was a lovely gallery of indigenous crafts for display and sale, with information about Taiwan’s 14 aboriginal groups, plus some impressive art and a fountain. There was also a shady, leafy patio. And a playground. And a giant bathroom. With toilet paper. And sit-down toilets! Not to say I don’t squat like the locals, but a seat is a treat.
Take that, New Jersey Turnpike Dunkin Donuts!
As if that weren’t enough, they were piping in jazzy instrumental Christmas carols too. Taiwan=hospitality.
