So off we went, through the turnstiles to the escalator that took us up to platform 1A to await our train. Train 2191, a "local" (0:21) which would stop at every station on the Mountain Line to 彰化 (we'd be getting off long before then), was due to depart at 2:44. We got on board an empty car around 2:40 and waited just a couple of minutes before it pulled out of the 豐原 station.

Around 3:00, after passing the 栗林, 潭子, and 頭家厝 stations, stopping just momentarily at each one, we arrived at our desination, 松竹. I was hoping to take some pictures from the train as it barreled down the line passing small towns and racing through the countryside, but so much of the scenery was blocked by barriers like this.

We got off the train and swiped our 悠遊卡 (EasyCards) so we could be charged for the distance we traveled. Next we headed over to the 捷運松竹站 (the Songzhu MRT Station) and took the escalator up to our platform and an awaiting train.

We boarded the train and left the station (0:41) heading for a stop near our hotel and Meihui's house, about 7 minutes away. Here's a video as we pulled into the 四維國小 (Siwei Elementary School) MRT Station (0:19, not our stop). Around 3:15, we arrived at our stop, the 文心崇德 station (at the intersection of 文心 and 崇德 streets.) We made our way through the turnstiles, scanning our EasyCards so the proper charges would be applied, then made our way out to the street. We were almost home now. Just a straight walk a few blocks up 崇德路 would get us to our hotel.

As this would be our final day in Taichung, we waited back at the hotel for Wenshuang to come over to say goodbye. She had been so helpful during our visit. With her baby due in October (to be born in the Year of the Horse), we really wanted to thank her and wish her the best of luck. When she and her mom left, as I hugged her, I told her "Have a good life." and she smiled and nodded back. We're hoping to come back and see her and her new baby next year.

So the day ended as it began up in Room 802 on the last night of our trip. I spent a lot of time looking out the window at and taking pictures of the park (well into the night) and the city and the mountains (as long as I could see them), wishing we could stay longer. After we were pretty sure everything was packed up and ready to go for tomorrow morning's early departure, we would go to bed.

Good night 民俗公園. Good night Taichung. Good night all until next time....

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