jalon q. zimmerman

I arrived in Taipei a couple of days ago. Business class makes a real difference when flying for 19 hours!

Taipei is great, and I was able to spend the past two days walking around checking out the city. It is Spring here and is cool and rainy. The city is remarkably safe, friendly and walkable. If they do speak any English, people are willing to stop and talk for a bit. Everywhere you go, you are overshadowed by Taipei 101, the tallest building in the world.

The Lantern Festival is in full swing and after dark (on the rare evening that it is not raining), families come out to walk along sidewalks overhung with tiny colored lights and large lanterns. The center of the festival is the Chiang Kai-shek Palace.

The Year of the Rat is everywhere, from the side of the TP 101 skyscraper to the tiny charms being sold in the Jade Market.

I spent some time at the Jade Market, the Flower Market and the Government Handi-crafts store. Taipei 101 is close to where I am staying and its basement food court is packed, both with good food and people. Next to it is the New York New York department store, whose basement is also a food court.

The people here have high standards for food and there are endless tiny noodle and food shops tucked into side streets and alleys. The Taiwanese love Japanese food, so many of the restaurants are Japanese.

The best part of the weekend was walking along the side streets of downtown among the aging condominiums and apartment buildings. Potted plants and trees create a green jungle covering entrances and tiny courtyards. The mass of vegetation often grows into a tunnel leading to the doors of the building. The sounds of the city are muted, except for the occasional kamikaze taxi, driving the wrong way down a one-way alley. From the apartment kitchens overhead, you can hear the chop of cleavers and smell frying garlic and chili peppers.

In a city dominated by scooters, the sidewalks are endless parking lots. Rather than gas stations, there is a 7-11 on every corner.

The 20 minute walk to and from the data center for work is the highlight of the day, offering the chance to look into an endless variety of shops.

The night market is the most fun for me. There are an endless variety of small shops and stalls selling clothes, food, shoes, more food, cell phones, teapots, and still more food.

I walk around watching people cook and, if they understand any English, asking questions. I get an amazing amount of free food samples along the way!