I noticed a store near my house today that I hadn't seen before, perhaps because it's often closed -- with the metal gate pulled down over the front -- when I'm out and about in the neighborhood. I mentioned to my friend Fann Meeiyuan that sometimes a place takes on an entirely different look depending on the time of day. So, naturally, she took me to just such a place. … [Read more...] about The Many Faces of Taiwan
Street Views
Eric Layman: Fulbrighter Extraordinaire
My friends Annie and Jeanne visited from the US and we spent a few days touring the southern and eastern parts of Taiwan, including two days in Hualien. Our host in Hualien was fellow Fulbrighter Eric Layman. He spent an entire day driving us through the incredible Taroko Gorge and educating us about Taiwan's indigenous peoples. … [Read more...] about Eric Layman: Fulbrighter Extraordinaire
Puppet Serendipity
After we descending Elephant Mountain on Sunday afternoon, Jeanne, Annie, Fann Meeiyuan and I passed a small temple in the park outside the subway station. There was a puppet stage set up outside, and when we learned the performance was only minutes away, we stepped inside to watch the show. … [Read more...] about Puppet Serendipity
Climbing the Elephant
Two friends -- Jeanne Neumann and Annie Merrill -- arrived from Davidson for a visit. Fann Meeiyuan and I decided to wake them up by marching them up Elephant Mountain in eastern Taipei. According to my phone's pedometer, we climbed 57 flights of stairs on the ascent. … [Read more...] about Climbing the Elephant
Celebrating 45 Years of Jazz at the Blue Note
Last night I had the good fortune to be in Taipei's legendary Blue Note jazz club for its 45th anniversary celebration. The club was founded in 1974 by Tsai Hui-yang 蔡輝陽 , a jazz lover who has kept the club going through massive changes in Taiwan's politics, society, and economy. At 73, he is still every bit the ultra-cool jazz man. … [Read more...] about Celebrating 45 Years of Jazz at the Blue Note
