Noah's Ark

it rains a lot in this past week. because the way houses are build here (lots of tin/fiberglass roof extenstion), the sound of rain is magnified. sometimes i fall asleep hearing the sound of rain and wake up hearing the sound of rain. sometimes it feels like i am in Noah's ark.

addictive

the sign says "Opium Tapioca Ice"

win your gelato

this is Asto Gelato. besides the more conventional flavour, they have gelati made from Taiwan local fruit in season. you can challenge the cashier to a game of rock paper sissors and if you win, you get a discount.

Gong Guan @ Nite

so i walked around Gong Guan, the area in front of the Taiwan University. this is the view from the square in front of the university gate.

a sign from god

amongst the coconut trees.

Stranded

An abandoned fighter plane on the Taiwan University campus. if i don't know any better, i'd said it's an installation piece. red stanciled on it "climbing forbidden".

Taipie People

My Home in the Tiger Woods

i live on the second floor, right hand side, towards the end there. the name of the street that i am on can be literally translated as Tiger Woods. I kid you not.

Stone Monkeys

They are the guardians of a tiny parklet.

Aroma Cafe

this is the cafe that i come to use the internet. it's closest wi-fi spot to my house, ran by a mid-age couple. they sometimes talk loudly or have friends over, which gives the cafe a homey feeling. they have about 20 different types of beans in the house, and they grind the beans and cook the coffee using the syphon method as you order. the husband would personally cook every single order of coffee. his enthousiam for coffee is infectious, making the likes of starbucks or tim horton seem soulless.

customized in 10 min

i went to the night market and bought 2 pairs of jeans. the owner hemmed the pantsleg to my length with no extra charge. the whole thing took less than 10 minutes. truly painless shopping experience.

Save me, Ambulance Boy!

This is a très kawaiiiiiii ambulance!

Free Pet Bird

Then I went to the computer market which is right beside the jade/antique maket. This woman has a pet bird on her table, not chained, not caged, just jumped around the table and peck at her tools.

it's really neat.

Doraemon!!

At the Warner ViewShow Cinema's Arcade there are a whole machine of Doraemons...

At the way to the MRT, an old couple is selling little cartoon cakes (illegally...!!!) Notice Doraemon second from the left, between Pikachu and and Hello Kitty.

The police is coming, and the old couple runs away with the cart and still tries to sell people the cakes on the run.

Brave business people. Hurrah capitalism.

(In case you're wondering, it's illegal to sell things on the street withou a permit. The cakes themselves are perfectly harmless...)

Mister Monkey Probed by the CBP

Mister Monkey was poked, prodded and probed by the US Custom and Border Protection a the airport.

"They squeezed all my monkey dignity out of me," said Mr. Monkey, "I feel naked."

Finally internet

So I finally got internet access! i am sitting in a cafe in the neighbourhood coffee house with wifi access.

Taipei is quite hot today. i am sweating in my cargo pants, i need shorts. or skirt.

Here is a sign that you would too encounter if you come to Taiwan. On the television yesterday, there was such a scandal about a group of entertainers smoked some pot in Thailand. One actor tearfully confessed at a press conference and his wife and daughter were being haunted by the paparazzi. It seems so over the top and melodramatic after living in Toronto where marajuana is almost legal. So my friends, if you would like visit Taiwan come clean...

cheers.