Returning to Stable Expat Life
I have returned to Taipei to begin a new job and settle into a more stable expat life, which means a little less traveling.
Taipei
What Do Androids in Taipei Dream of?
“The electric things have their life too. Paltry as those lives are.” ― Philip K. Dick, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? On the final day of the Chinese New Year holiday, I headed to the main shopping area — ATT 4 Fun, which is the large mall that attracts locals and tourists with its …
Happy Year of the Sheep
新年快乐, dear readers! February 19 marked the beginning of the Chinese New Year (as well as other Asian nations’ lunar new year). This is the year of the sheep/goat/ram and it happens to be my year, so I should probably go out and buy some lucky red underwear (seriously, this is a thing in China/Taiwan). …
Discovering New Beer in Taiwan
Last time I was in Taipei, I lamented the lack of local beer. When I returned, I was introduced to more local brews that I had either missed or that had finally become available in bars nearby.
Lost at a Taiwanese Temple
The other day I headed out for an afternoon of art at the Kuandu Museum of Fine Art in northern Taipei’s Beitou District. I had some rough directions thanks to Google Maps, which still hasn’t fixed its maps here (MRT line 3 was on the map when I arrived back in late November, but it …
A Crowded View in Taipei
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity.” ― John Muir, Our National Parks On New Year’s Day, I headed to Xiangshan–Elephant Mountain–in southeastern Taipei. I’ve hiked this “mountain” before in much warmer weather. This time around it was …
Happy 2015!
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language And next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.” ― T.S. Eliot, Little Gidding I can’t say I’m sad to see 2014 go. I can’t say I’m happy about it either. 2014 started out with me on a boat …
Christmas Greetings from Taipei
East Asia loves Christmas–I witnessed this while living in China. My Christmas tradition didn’t change much when I moved to southern China years ago; the movies were on pirated DVDs and the Chinese food was better, but it was still more or less the same tradition. While walking around Taipei with my friends the other …
A Very Taipei Thanksgiving
“Turkey: A large bird whose flesh, when eaten on certain religious anniversaries has the peculiar property of attesting piety and gratitude.” – Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary I’m fortunate to have a few friends here in Taipei. Some of them were able to join me for my birthday last week. And my two American friends …
Taiwanese Election Tanks
“I’ve had enough of reading things By neurotic, psychotic, pig-headed politicians All I want is the truth Just gimme some truth” -John Lennon, Just Gimme Some Truth I arrived in time for the political campaigns in Taiwan. There are campaign offices everywhere around the city and trucks driving around with loudspeakers telling people to vote …
Another Birthday Abroad
“We all have our time machines, don’t we. Those that take us back are memories… And those that carry us forward, are dreams.” -H.G. Wells, from The Time Machine I’ve come up with a theory that birthdays while living abroad don’t count. That doesn’t matter, of course, as I’ve decided that I don’t feel like …
Mr. Chiang’s Taipei
Everyone recognizes one structure in Taiwan, but that’s not the structure I visited–Taipei 101 is beautiful skyscraper that can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. Instead of paying a small fortune to ride an elevator near the top of that huge building, I opted for hiking up Elephant Hill for a better view …
Protests and Police
“And the riot squad they’re restless They need somewhere to go” -Bob Dylan, Desolation Row On this Monday morning I’m still catching up on the chaos in Hong Kong. The Occupy Central and pro-democracy movements came together on September 28, marching through the business districts in Central. The peaceful protest even attempted to leave at …
We All Scream for Beer Ice Cream
I’ll confess, I didn’t actually order beer ice cream in Taiwan. I guarantee, however, that should I move back to Taipei, I will try it. At the time, I was just distracted by the variety of flavors that sounded more appealing. I ended up at 雪王冰淇淋 (literally: Snow King Ice Cream, not to be confused …
Staying Healthy on the Road
Healthy traveling isn’t always easy. After realizing I wasn’t living a healthy lifestyle, I changed habits to make the journey better.