The other thing I find interesting about Taipei is how quiet and calm it is for such a big city. 95% of the population of Taiwan practices a mixture of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. Maybe that accounts for why they insist on respectful silence in public places, they don’t honk, or push or shout. There is minimal traffic noise during the day and after 10 at night the streets are absolutely silent. Well, no one trained the bullfrogs or cicadas to keep their voices down at night…but on the mountain or in the city, the same Zen tranquility permeates life here.
The Taiwanese people also pride themselves on their honesty and integrity. It is safe here. When I caught a ride down the mountain with that woman in Ping Deng Li, it didn’t even occur to her that it might be dangerous to get in a car with a strange man to hitch a ride. And same thing is true in the city. If I want to go for a run down by the river at 2am, or stay out late in the city and have to make my way home alone in the middle of the night, it’s safe. There are designated ‘safe’ areas on the MRT platforms that are monitored by video at night for women traveling alone, but they really aren’t used. It’s safe here for everyone, everywhere. And they are proud of it. I think I can get used to this…
Going native. I leave some incense burning at a temple near Jintan.
This city is huge. Even out here in Beitou where people go to relax at the hot springs, there are 3-story tall McDonalds and KFCs!
Home in the country.
At the end of the brown line on the MRT there are gondolas that go up over the mountains. We finally found a sunny day and went up to the top, just before sunset to try and get a better view of the city.
High rises blending into the jungle.
Taipei City.
Some little shops and tea houses at the last gondola stop up in the mountains. Nothing in English though.
To give you an idea of scale, that is huge Buddhist temple in the foreground on the hill nearest to us. then beyond the next mountain ridge that is the Taipei 101 in downtown Taipei city. It was the tallest building in the world for about 6 months when it was trumped by that building in Dubai. You can see it over the top of 2 mountains!
I thought this was a pretty shot. The city is massive. And you can still see the 101 in the far distance.
Taipei at sunset.
There are some massive roads here, but you hardly ever see much traffic. Most people use the public transportation because it's by far the quickest way to get across town. You can see the large square at the front of the intersection is for scooters. And the far right lane, I believe is the turn lane....
Another small pleasure in Taiwan. Delectably good chocolates. This place makes the most amazing tea and lavender truffles that are definitely on par with Lillie Belle.
On certain holidays like a saint's birthday, you don't even have to go into the city to worship. They will haul the shrines all over the city, and up the mountains and collect your incense or gifts of fruit and flowers as the trucks go past.
Better watch out for these suspicious characters...
Cycling is a really popular sport here. There's a nearly constant string of bicyclists coming up our road at Ping Deng Li, and it's an intensely steep winding road. It takes 40 minutes by bus! I can't imagine these people biking up and down.
This is me just having fun with Hipstimatic on my new iPhone 4! Yes we have technology here too. The phone itself was spendy, but cell service is about 1/2 the price! Tranquil shot of a little alley way by Shilin Sta.
Hush! No loud phone calls (or birds) on the bus.
Most calm and orderly protest, ever. This anti-nuke protest we witnessed (soon after the quake in Japan) was proceeded by a police escort to help keep the peace.
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