Taipei international book exhibition

Feb 21, 2016

Taipei public library offers great services. I like the reservation system the most. I could check the book availability, reserve and retrieve the books from nearby libraries within a week. Everything is done on the internet and it's free.

But I still buy books because I would read those books again and again. That's why I suggest the Taipei international book exhibition. The price could be as low as 34% off the original price. And most important is the varieties during the exhibition. Not only of the varieties of Chinese books but also of the international ones.

Renai elementary school

Feb 16, 2016

Today is a normal school day for kids in Renai elementary school, located in Taipei city center.

The stereotype of Taiwanese kids are confined inside classrooms, heads lowered over a pile of books and notes. What I observed is quite different. Here are pupils playing in the school fields even though there are many cram schools around this school.  

Beimen

Feb 15, 2016

Will I enjoy the sightseeing if I could travel back time of 100 years? Average Taiwanese lived miserable life century ago. Would my ancestors expect modern Taipei today?

I have envisioned a much better Taipei in the near future. To tear down the viaducts around the Beimen gate could be a good start. 

Pork congee in Taipei

Feb 15, 2016

Traditional Taiwanese congee is not as thick as Cantonese congee. My favorite one is 周記肉粥 which is located at the old Taipei district.

The flavor matches my childhood memory. The price is pretty reasonable. The only thing might concern tourists is the surrounding noise and cleanliness. 

Taipei botanical park and the start of spring

Feb 14, 2016

There are plenty of plants and gorgeous view in Taipei botanical park. And it's free to enjoy.

Now it's the start of spring according to the Chinese 24 solar terms. The tradition is to beat water buffalo praying for a good harvest in the coming year. Now it became a fun fair for families with kids. Of course, there is a wood buffalo to replace real water buffalo nowadays. 

Xinyi district, where shopping malls meet mansions

Feb 13, 2016

People are flocking into Xinyi district during New Year holidays.

Ethical Chinese tend to spend more during Chinese New Year. And it's a perfect time to make extra money if you don't mind working during vacations. 

Muzha: You shouldn't count on google map all the time

Feb 12, 2016

During Chinese New Year holidays, there are always so many people flocking to so few places. But I decided to give gondola a try. After googling the address, I come out the direction.

But there is no road from the Muzha station to the gondola station!

Since I am in this area, I go back to the MRT and pay the ticket one more time. Finally, I got to the gondola station and find out there are so many people queuing for the ride. Since I was already in this area, I will go to the Taipei zoo. 

People come a long way to see animals, to watch robots dancing, or hiking a long distance to see monkeys enjoying the onsen.  We humans as highly intelligent species to watch low-level performances.