Looks like we got an answer to our big question!
Yes. I do!
There has been more than a little controversy over this proposal… which surprise surprise turned out to be a fake, and an attempt to drum up business for the world’s (maybe) tallest building.
The cost for proposing in this way? About 300,000 US$, so you better be sure he/she says yes! (I wonder, is the reply included in the price?).
I have visited dozens of factories in my time, but I never lose my enthusiasm for seeing new ones. We were visiting a client’s supplier to ascertain their capabilities, and I was just fascinated by the machinery. I never knew how fabric tubes were made before, but I do now – anything from about 10mm wide, up to over a metre wide … though I am not quite sure what for.
Squared circle
The machinery was a funny mix of new kit and apparently reconditioned Japanese aparatus. There were alarmingly few safety barriers or guards, and for a gangly Westerner this proved to be quite hazardous – especially when dealing with rows of spinning needles and winding fabric.
In-house temple
Ta Ting Tumbler
I really liked their storage system, which reminded me a bit of some libraries that store books on mobile shelves. And their colour scheme was rad!
It has been raining non stop for about one and a half weeks now. Not ‘shower’. None of your English ‘drizzles’. And ‘precipitation’ seems a bit polite for what we are getting here. No, this is angry rain that seems to bounce when it hits the ground ensuring that everything gets wet, no matter what you wear. It’s depressing, and wearing constantly damp clothes really gets you down.
Still, when the sun does eventually come out we can be sure that the humidity will go through the roof and I will begin complaining about the inability to breathe instead. Luckily, I suppose, there is little chance of that problem next week – just check the seven-day forecast!
Michael Fish would be proud…
Taipei 101 – now available for rent … I wonder if she said yes?
… Quite a trend of using the world’s tallest buildings to propose, eh Ele?! 🙂
Marks & Spencer comes to Taiwan!
I was surprised to see the advertising panels covering what used to be Armani Exchange on Zhongxiao East Rd. They are moving in between Diesel, Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren, so they are clearly targeting a premium market in clothing, though sadly I do not expect any of the sandwiches or ready meals this time round.
I am really interested to see how they do, not least because buying ‘normal’ clothes here is such a pain. It’s all either night market rags or Louis Vuitton riches, with not a whole lot in between. Those times you just need a nice shirt, or some trousers.. forget it.
Marks & Sparks
What better for your Taiwanese political stomach problems?!
“If you have troubles stomaching Taiwanese politics, perhaps you should try KMT tablets!”
Thursdays has become a regular eating session amongst my friends and I. In tribute to Nick’s very particular stomaxh problem, where he cannot eat cooked food, we have labelled these weekly feasts ‘Raw Thursdays’. Just a bunch of guys eating raw food, basically.
It’s quite interesting and a challenge to find food that Nick can partake in. Sashimi figures highly in our menu, and this week we headed to one of my favourite little laneside eateries near 101. Excellent ambience at night time, topped off as it is by 101 poking up at the end of the street.
Sadly, the raw food extended into a raw head the next morning, the result of rather too much sake. But that’s just a demonstration of the lengths we go to to appease Nick’s belly.
Toby dishes out the goods
Nick sheds some light on the subject
Okay, stop now
Lane 101
300 posts! – that makes almost 100 posts on the dot per year, which is quite good, I think!
Speaking of which…
Jade and I went for a quick day trip to get out of Taipei, and with no particular direction in mind we headed towards Beipu, near Hsinchu. I was semi-expecting another Taiwanese tourist honeypot, but I was pleasantly surprised by some frankly excellent food and charming pre-Japanese architecture. I didn’t even mind the drizzle – it cooled the place down (apparently we hit 37 degrees C last week, which is insane) and dispersed the hungry tourists.
At the bus stop in one of the local towns
Take a seat
I am forever charmed by the little logos and emblems of Taiwanese municipal services – here’s the Hsinchu bus service
Positive Thinking – An old guy checks the scene in Beipu
Windows
Shutters on a garage
A water well – ‘shui jing’ – with the symbol for water above and well below
Tomorrow is my third year anniversary in Taiwan, which is simply insane. Three years!
One year was ‘experience’, two years was ‘proving a point’… but what does three mean? Maybe I am just a glutton for punishment.
Still, coming to this stage, it does allow me to pause and reflect on what I have achieved and what is possible in the future. I have certainly seen and done some pretty amazing things. Just looking at my first blog posting from the first day fills me with a feeling of vertigo.
I think I need a beer.
Rich is back in town, and he has not ridden a scooter since December. It is such a fantastic reminder of just how much fun piloting these things is – especially when the daily routine of getting to work in the rain takes its toll.
A great weekend was certainly had by all – road trip, big night out and long exhaustive conversations well into the night with earth-shakingly important conclusions – if you could just rememember what the question was.
Steve at speed
Top Gun