Twenty years ago our friend Mel connected us with one of her former Taiwanese students who needed a place to stay in Victoria. Bruce stayed with us for a month, and during that time he was game to join in on whatever we were doing. He even joined us at a protest where we all dressed up in costumes. We parted with the promise that one day we would come to visit him in Taiwan. 

Yesterday Bruce met us at our hotel in the morning and we spent a fantastic day together. After coffee and a walk down Dihua historic street we took a cab over to the Taipei 101 tower area to buy a special Taiwanese raisin, wine & nut bread. Then we continued to Bruce’s place to meet his mom, his two nieces and his daughter. His nieces weighed in on national and regional politics and shared with us their great pride in Taiwan’s democracy.

We then went for lunch to have hot pot at the restaurant where his daughter works. It was a great orientation on how to eat this elaborate meal that you cook right at your table. 

It was so great to see Bruce again after so many years. He was worried his English was no longer what it was, but he spoke well and we had a wonderful visit.  Bruce made us feel like extra special guests and generously bought us all sorts of special tasty treats. When our continuing jet lag got the better of us he accompanied us back to our hotel on the metro – making sure to explain the system and how to locate the right trains and exits.

Thank you for a truly memorable day, Bruce. Let’s not wait another 20 years to see each other again.