Day Ten: Taiwan
From: Dandelion Snailrider To: Mr. A-- Subject: Day 10: In the Far East Again Date: December 19, 2002 Dear Mr. A--, I hope that this letter finds you well and comfortable at home, slippers and pipe adequately delivered to you by your fierce and loyal and brave haggis-defeating hounds. My goal draws ever nearer but my snail is so darn slow! I had hoped that I could surprise you by arriving early tomorrow morning, but alas! I didn't make it any further than Taiwan last night. I'm sure that if I had not stayed to visit with the Queen of England yesterday, I would be well on my way to Campbell already! But I am certain that Fate has more adventures yet in store for me! I do wish that you had been able to join me on my journey; I'm certain that you would have enjoyed tea and crumpets with the Queen and the Highland festival that we attended last night. I participated in the caber toss, but I'm afraid I only came in second place. Here in Taiwan, I've been having a lovely, very relaxing visit. The people here are very, very friendly and no one has looked oddly at the Dread Snail Roberts at all. However, it is difficult, as I am sure you can imagine, to find an Internet cafe here which meets my special requirements: a salt-free environment for my snail, a very tall stool, several pounds of popcorn for my dinner, and a freezer in which I can store the Alaskan haggis. I believe that it is made from salmon. I have been fortunate in that I have found such arrangements in most places. Here in Taiwan, I had to barter with an old rice farmer to let me into his barn to use his satellite Internet hookup, digital camera, and scanner; fortunately I happened to have among my supplies a spare ukelele which he seemed most happy to receive. Secure with the directions given to me by the elephant herder in Thailand and the new supplies of rice, I hope to arrive in Campbell tomorrow night. I would be there sooner, but my snail is, as you know, quite slow. I do hope that you are doing well. I shall keep the haggis safe for you! And make sure there is a friendly place for me on your lawn of subtle pleasure! Until tomorrow (hopefully) I remain, Your obedient and humble servant, Dandelion Snailrider