I should bring the lip balm, sun block, lotion, and umbrella for sunshine next time. Keep water with me all the time, since it's easy to feel thirsty. Also bring some special snacks, like seaweeds to share next time. It's a lot of fun to see the reactions of the kids. People should like rice cookies(旺旺) and instant noodles.
If it's hot in the daytime, and freezing at night as this time, just bring one big coat and that's enough, since I wouldn't go out at night. It's warm in the house and car.
Friends who I met besides the family:
1. Scott Moore-
I saw one guy look like Mr. Moore in military uniform, as soon as I got off the airplane at Sky Harbor airport. Not sure though, since I didn't have a chance to check.
2. Miss Bahe-
Met Miss Bahe at Walmart on 6/2. She said she was still teaching in Alchesay.
3. Lance-
Met in front of a store in Whiterive on 6/9. There were lots of tattoos around him. Didn't talk much, because we were about leaving.
Flights/Packages:
From Kaohsiung, Taipei, LAX(Los Angeles), to PHX(Phoenix)
Picked up my packages at LAX. I wrote $0 for question 15 on customs declaration form about
"Visitors -- the total value of all articles that will remain in the U.S., including commercial merchandises is:" I passed the customs with no problem, even with 2 large comforters. However, I pronounced "comforters" wrong, so the customs staff didn't understand what I say at first, and I needed to bring my packages through X-ray scanner again. Took the airport shuttle to terminal 1 to check my package again, but the staff said my packages were already checked to Phoenix, so I just brought the packages to where they loaded the packages on the plane. By the way, there was one more checkpoint before getting to the gate. It's more strict than in Taiwan, and I even needed to take off the shoes. Hard to believe Americans need to get through all of these even for domestic flights. People in Taiwan should already overthrow the government, if the government puts all of these on us.
On the way home:
Checked at the ticket counter, instead of the airport kiosks for self-service check-in at the airport, which couldn't find my reservation. I didn't know my packages were transferred to my flight directly, standing there for more than half an hour, before asking a staff to know this. Still required to change my tickets at China Airlines before boarding. There were so many people, even at midnight. Felt like waiting more than 30 minutes to get that done. It's the security checkpoint again. XD
By the way, the public phones suck at Sky Harbor airport, either broken, or volume too low to hear clearly.
Greyhound Bus:
Took city bus, route 13, outside door 22 or 21 on ticketing level at terminal 4 to Greyhound bus station, which cost $1.75. Got off at the first stop, 24th St, and the station was across the street. Seating is on a first-come, first- served basis, which sucks! People need to line up before the bus comes, and the east-bound or west-bound passengers can board the bus first. Almost couldn't get on the bus, because I didn't know that, and was thinking I should be the 6th or 7th on board and should have many seats left. There were many poor guys who couldn't get on the bus, because there was no seat. U-bus is much better and more comforatable.
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