So earlier this week, after six months of living the life in Korea, I moved to Taiwan.
Taipei is a whole lot different than Seoul. Buildings are much shorter, pollution is much more noticeable and people seem to be generally more friendly… and everyone looks at you. They even bang a big old gong when you enter fancy restaurants (which feeds my unsatiable ego of self-importance).
I’m teaching again, but this time in the southern part of the island in Kaohsiung, which is actually in the tropics and feels like it too.
Aside from the language changes (Chinese is distinctive to even my untrained, Korean-oriented ear), the one thing I noticed in this bright internet cafe is that the kids play normal looking MMORPGs (3D instead of 2D). I know in the scheme of things that is probably the most important thing outsiders want to know about this place.
Oh, tomorrow is election day in Taiwan. You would love to see how the politicians raise awareness of their campaign. They drive around in parade-like fashion (20+ cars and ATVs) with loudspeakers and fireworks.
It is really kinda cool, especially since you have no idea what their views are (thus making them a mere showcase/entertainment). In fact, I am typing this in an internet cafe and I can see some of the fireworks going off now.