I mentioned we went to Ilan, which is much more country-like than Taipei. Apparently, they grow food there. The green onion used in the Cong You Bing I tend to go on about only comes from Ilan, because it’s special. They also sell other vegetable matter and, whenever we’ve passed through Ilan in the past, … Read more
Get out your map of Taiwan and you’ll see one of the principal hard realities of the island: It’s really rough terrain. We once went to Taipingshan, which is near the city of Ilan. I took a GPS reading and was shocked to discover were were only about 50 miles from “home†in Taipei, and … Read more
Of course, we have no fireworks back home. One firecracker could set the entire state into one huge fireball. This general prohibition cuts both ways. Because of lack of exposure, I neither have much fascination for fireworks but at the same time they are enough of a rarity that it’s somewhat of a treat when … Read more
One of the things thats a bit of a problem when I’m in Taiwan, and I see it in a lot of other people’s flickr photos is the air. So often there’s a white haze in the air that makes all the pictures lifeless. We went to Taipei 101 today, during the day, because when … Read more
There’s apparently a saying in Taiwan – my guess it was said by advertising types and not Confucius – that goes like this, “There are no ugly women, just lazy ones.†To that end, last night the news was reporting that Taiwan’s women spend NT$ 320 yi (I may have the phonetic of that number … Read more
Even better than a pastrami sandwich… at the supermarket in the basement of the Breeze Center I found a Dr. Pepper! Plus a box of Scottish shortbread. This is why I don’t normally wear a hat, but it’s quite practical at this time in Taipei. Technorati Tags: Blog, Food, Taiwan, Travel
One of the things I love about Taipei at the plethora of bakeries. Maybe it’s because ovens aren’t as common in homes here, but you’re never very far from fresh bread in Taipei. Bakeries back home suck, to put it kindly. Most of them are just supermarket bakeries, the others make boring breads or worse, … Read more
We headed to MOS for breakfast. Last time we were here, MOS didn’t serve breakfast and, as with most burger places, I don’t really care for the breakfast menu. My stomach can’t tell time, I’d rather have a burger than an egg & bacon sandwich or something similar. Nonetheless, the serve breakfast now and Michelle … Read more
I’m pleased to see Taipei making upgrades to the public infrastructure. For example, they’re installing lighted, covered bus stops in many locations. Apparently, another one of the city’s quality-of-life improvements is the installation of new, very expensive, public garbage cans. I’ve already mention previously that Taipei used to have public garbage cans, then they instituted … Read more
Is there anything more instinctive than a revulsion to the creepy-crawlies? Nothing comes immediately to mind, especially when brutes like this can run out into the middle to the room at rodent-like speeds. I saw this guy out of the corner of my eye last night and nearly jumped out of my skin. He ran … Read more