Taipei, a Lovely City

Click pics to enlarge. Above, Chiang Kai Shek Memorial (which the current governing party had tried hard to remove).

Letter from Taiwan (23-1): A Lovely City

Article initiated at the JFK Airport (en route to Manchester) and finished in Chester, UK.

Prior to departing for NYC, I visited my uncle's family in Taipei for 4 days. I was last there in 2016, an absence too long.

I rode the Airport Metro Line (new to me) for half an hour to 新庄, in 新台北. Amazingly my Taipei Metrocard was still valid and I just topped it up. The rail is elevated and it passed by rolling green hills, very nice ride. As soon as I exited the train station, I was greeted by loud percussive noises. My, it was a festival procession, for some God of the Earth (地藏王). FYI, the Taiwanese, especially the elder generation, love to worship various mythological deities 拜拜. The procession was amazingly long and colorful.

The next day I went to the local bank and delightedly found out my ATM card is still valid! Never expires! No new card needed. I also went to the government office to take care of some matters. Unlike the US (most of the time), staff were courteous and efficient.

Time was spent mostly with my uncle's family and his friends. I only had time to meet up with two friends, but it was quality time. Lots of eating, as documented below in pics. My relatives' home is adjacent to the industrial area of 三重, and there is a large population of imported Vietnamese and Thai workers. Many small and cheap restaurants have sprung up serving South East Asian fare. I just LOVE it!

Another thing that I LOVE about Taipei are the convenient stores. The largest chains are 711 and the Japanese Family Mart. I patronize the former only. Except for a few, most of them are large and well stocked. But the greatest feature is they all have nice seating area (unthinkable for HK), where one can enjoy a drink or snack. Even in most places in the center of town. On a hot day, it's very refreshing to walk in and enjoy a refreshment! In fact, many years ago I met a friend at a bar which I did not like; I proposed moving to the 711 and we drank there happily for a couple of hours!

Taipei is a lovely city. Partly due to Japanese occupation, it was laid out much like a large city during the Tang Dynasty (as were Japan's cities). It's metropolitan and sophisticated, yet one can always find some place quiet inside an alley (there is a thriving coffee culture). I wish I could have stayed longer.

Mediterranean Food  for lunch with a friend

 

Afternoon Tea with another friend

at the Japanese restaurant of an old hotel 老爷酒店

Motocycles Galore, but neatly parked
I
Humble and cheap Vietnamese Restaurant in nearby 三重

Very good Pho and Steamed Rice Rolls

Classic Taiwan breakfast (after Northern style)

 Fried Oil Stick, oven baked bread 烧饼油条 and baozi

 

Disciplined motorcycle riders. Note that in Taiwan,

unlike China, they are not electric.

Taipei Station in the heart of city, major transportation hub

Iconic Noodle with Beef 牛肉面 and superb Fried Dumplng

阿給, Fried Bean Pocket stuffed with Rice Vermicelli 冬粉/粉丝

steamed and topped with a sweet and sour and hot sauce,

a local delicacy in Danshui 淡水，with Fish Ball Soup. The name

likely derived from Japanese.

Classic Pork Chop Rice 排骨饭 and Noodles with thick soup, 打卤面

711 can be an oasis of respite