A quick few extra fotos from Tanja… Ele in Taipei, during the moon festival (and hey Ele, if you have more photos please send them to me!)
Author: Jonathan Biddle
-
We Reach for the Sky. Neither Does Civilisation.
One of the most distinctive aspects of life out here is the transport. A day never passes without seeing something head-shaking strange. It could be a fork lift truck on the motorway, glass being transported by bike, food vending machines on the back of motorbikes… I have an ever-growing list of strange observations, but for now this is a wee summary.
So above, we have 1. heavily modified scooter for disabled access, 2. & 3. ingenious parking methods and 4. SCOOTER ENGLISH which is a great hobby to have in Taipei as the tag lines on the sides of scooters make you stumble for superlatives.
-
Taipei Tourist – The Return
I am at the 6 month point out here, and have reached a transition point somewhat. Work has felt like a drag of late, I am getting a bit tired of not being able to meet people so easily (what with my 4 year old’s Chinese skills) and in general I am at the bit between knowing the place and feeling comfortable, but not having the infrastructure of friends and scenes to be part of.
This weekend and the last I have lurched from some slightly irresponsible behaviour and have come back down to earth. I have started looking things with curious eyes again, have some of my more typical vim back (and vigour at work I hope too!) and overall am a bit more happy. So that’s nice, for all you folks back home. Anyway, I took some photos this weekend of things that interested and amused me – esp. while looking for art museums with my friend Luisa. The Taipei Artist’s Village was a bit of a let-down (no exhibits) we lost the Chang Foundation of Fine Arts (it must have been really fine) and wandered to the Hua Shan Arts District to see some slightly mediocre environmental art. Next week I will check out the more controversial Bienniel and hopefully walk away more impressed.
Near to Main Station there was frantic activity where they had recently finished building an attractive small temple. What I did not understand was why they were preparing to wrap this in steel (see the frame). Will it be in glass? Bricks? Concrete (most likely).
Bored on the job – an enthusiastic policeman near Sogo + laser sword
Some cool stripes that caught my eye in an underground car park near to the Breeze Centre (another over-priced shopping mall)
-
The Bright Lights of Taipei
This week I have made a concerted effort to get back into exercise – it is too easy on this island to slip into a routine of staying until ever more impossible hours at the office.
Tonight, while riding on my way home from the gym at work I spotted an old man selling disco lights by the side of the freeway. I had to stop, and to make it extra-Taiwanese the Lau Ban got on the phone as soon as I turned up.
Disco FeverIt also reminds me of a couple of other recent photos, or at least June! These are from near my house where a guy was selling lamps on the street.
‘Ave you got a light, boy?And finally, a rather nice effect outide on of my local bars along Jhongshan N Road (Bat 75).
Happy trees
-
Sing…
“…I feel the earth move under my feet
I feel the sky tumblin’ down, tumblin’ down…”… join in when you want to
Last night it was recorded at an initial 5.9, but has since been upgraded to a more exciting 6.3 As a result, the map on the below shows a larger blob than the one I posted.
-
Oh that was a big one
Earthquake report at the USGS click for info
I was just on the phone to Jo in London. I started brushing my teeth when the whole world started spinning and shaking. That felt like a nasty one! Why does the earth insist on moving?!
(sorry the maps do not fit the window! it is too late at night to sort it out properly)
I almost shat myself…
-
God is Love
This is one of the strangest places in Taipei. Christianity has a long history of ‘travelling’ around the world destroying other cultures, and it would seem the Las Vegas sect has rolled into town with this one. I really need to go in and check this out, since it must be pretty cool inside to match the over-blown exterior.
I have actually spoken to a couple of people about Christianity – people who grew up as Buddhists. It is always fascinating to hear their views, and their perception of it. The thing that people seem to be looking for is answers, and in my opinion Christianity does not give them. Further, they see it as a benign, safe religion – and all I see is torture, war and destruction.
Still, people are entitled to their views.
Jesus saves lives …. (props to Lars for the pic)
-
Sun Yat Sen
Lorenzo and I caught some rays near Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall – one of Taiwan’s most precious national monuments and most ugly of buildings. Lots of kites and families (and not the free single women we hoped for). Still, the ridiculous hedges made us question humanity itself.
Hideous Taiwanese Fire-Spitting Thunder Donkey of the southern mountains
Lorenzo arrives in Style (with SYS building behind)
The very nice grounds of the National Taiwan University (NTU) – and still no girls to be seen
Later, we went to eat Stinky Tofu with Ji-Ru … it smells like camel sweat, but actually tastes quite good
-
ADSL & Skype
I now have supa speedy ADSL in the apartment. I’ll be on MSN Messenger and also Skype for free voice calls (user name: jhbiddle). That’s all.
