Taipei: It's Like I Never Left...

Taipei: It's a city of contradictions. Trying to be forward thinking, but moving backwards at times. It strives for democracy but is stunted by corruption. Sure, it has great Taiwanese cuisine, but it's Japanese food is even better (from all the years of occupation, no less).

I didn't roll any video 'cause I didn't do as much touristy stuff there, but I did do the usual shutterbugging, so that's what's in the slideshow.

It's a place that has kinda stood still. It provides change in small moves, and looks like it's gonna stay that way for the foreseeable future. That is both comforting, and sad, at the same time.

Interesting things observed:

1. It's not uncommon to be riding in a taxi, and the taxi license picture doesn't quite match the driver who's operating the vehicle. It seems a bit shady, but then again, I don't have the complete story

2. Women there may look Japanese, but they have the hip swagger of a typical Chinese gal-on-the-town. Kinda plays with the idea of "Naughty and Nice"

3. Seriously, the Japanese food there is better than the Japanese food in Japan. I wonder if it's because of the special mayonnaise...

4. Though it gets crowded, no one shoves or yells (not counting the protesting that turns ugly). It makes for quite the quiet chaos.

5. Want the best Iced Milk Tea in the city? Try one at the Shangri La Hotel -- it'll blow your mind away...