observations

Here are some general observations we have made thus far in our stay.

*We reserver the right to retract our comments/opinions at any time in the event we find out we are wrong or change our minds.

1. On average, Taiwanese are taller than we thought they would be. I have found that I am pretty average height compared to the rest of the females here. Brian is tall but, only by a few inches. However, Brian's size 15 feet are still very impressive to the locals.
2. The "good" weather we were fortunate to experience our first few days here, is not normal. Our first few days here were clear and sunny skies. Coming from California, we didn't think anything of it. Brian even started to comment on the humidity. We learned from the local english radio on Monday that the great weather we experienced over the weekend was some of the best weather in Taipei, ever. The last two days have been overcast with light showers and pretty humid. I suspect this type of weather is what we can come to expect.
3. There is not high demand for early morning coffee drinking. Over the weekend I was still adjusting to the time change. I was waking up at 2:30am and 3:00am. I would hang around the apartment trying to sleep until about 6:00am when I figured some stuff would be open. However, the coffee shops do not open until later in the morning (7:30am, 8am or later). The only thing that I have found on my walks from the apartment to be open that early are.... McDonalds. They even have a doughnut shop here (Mister Doughnut) but, it does not open unil 11am daily.
4. Symbolic value trumps monetary value. Our bus tour included a stop to the National Palace Museum, NPM. You can see some of the featured items displayed at the following website, www.npm.gov.tw. One of the most important items there was a jade carving of a cabbage. This is one of the favorite pieces because it took so long to carve, three generations, and is symbolic of purity and offers blessings for bearing many children. Lions are pretty popular because they are the guardians, they will fend off evil spirits. The two most common lions are a male lion with a ball under his front paw, which represents the male lion as the protector of the world. The other is the female lion with a baby cub on its back which represents the female lion protecting the children.
5. You're nobody unless you have a scooter. It seems like everyone has a scooter here. Some people will pack themselves on, such as three to a scooter. This seems like the most preferred way to travel, regardless of rain, because you can move up to the front of the line in traffic.
6. Taiwanese are not big fans of salad. So far, I have not seen a salad on any menu. I get the feeling it would be hard to be a vegetarian here. I have seen some fruit salads but not a lettuce/green salad. On the other hand, if you a fan of waffles and tuna salad, you're in luck! I have seen it in several places now, when you order waffles you have the options of getting with whip cream or tuna.