Starting Off (Taipei)
(Note: this first blog is a little delayed because ive had problems getting onto the site.)
My journey begins in Taiwan, and
after an 8 hour flight, 6 hour stopover, 4 hour flight, hour bus ride and half
hour walk through the backstreets in the rain, I got to my accommodation in
Taipei.
A bit of background on this
country; it claims independence from China after the Capitalist businessmen,
professionals and intellects fled the mainland in the 50’s. They didn’t believe
in Communism so they’d thought they would go start their own nation, along with
the native Taiwanese people. Because they feel like mainland China is still
there identity and place of belonging, they took most of China’s famous
cultural and heritage artefacts and
treasures with them on their way out, which they have securely stored in a
mountain near Taipei. China still
considers Taiwan as a rogue state, and has threatened to invade (and get their
treasures back), but USA has vowed to defend Taiwan. It’s kind of like a mini
cold war, to the point that there are Taiwanese spies being found and actually killed
in China, and vice versa.
Taipei is the capital and where I
begin. Despite its reputation for dodgy wares and cheap labour of years gone by
(‘Made in Taiwan’), the country has become a technological hub (following in
the footsteps of Japan) and Taipei’s great metro infrastructure, healthcare,
crime rates, etc, show they have got their shit together. Nonetheless, it’s a
dingy looking city that has come into its developed status more quickly than
the buildings can be gentrified.
 |
| Taipei 101 |
Except for Taipei 101, which four
years ago was the tallest building in the world (now bested by a towers in
Mecca and Dubai). It’s so much taller
than anything else around it an can be seen from all over the city. The most
impressive building, however, is a big memorial hall in the middle of town (above). It
was erected for the first president of Taiwan, who went against Mao and the
communists. There are also many temples,
but after Japan/Korea (12 weeks ago) and Thailand/ Malaysia (12 months ago) I
am a little templed out.
The best thing to do in this city
is eat. There is heaps of delicious and cheap street food all over the place.
First meal in town I sat down and had a beef noodle soup and it was so big I
couldn’t quite finish it and it cost me$1.80. Also, pork buns, dumplings, meat
and rice, Taiwanese sausage and egg pancakes are cheap and common, but there is
so much variety.
The city comes alive at night.
There are plenty of night markets around town to just wander around, get some
hawker food and buy things on the cheap. I get the impression that most people
eat out in this town, and there are certain vendors with massive lines. It’s
exciting and easy to spend hours here. I could easily live in this city and
come to the night markets every night. It was four days into the trip before I
went to an actual restaurant.
I’m glad I came to Taipei first. I am used to these types of cities and can handle the food, get around, and communicate with locals alright. It’s my kind of city, and it eased me into the groove of the trip quickly. Also, it feels like a natural progression from Korea.
It’s such a fun and interesting town
that a week here just isn’t enough – good thing I’ve got another four days here
after I’m done with the east coast!
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