Basically, due to the structure of my current vacation, Taipei was limited to two days.
And what fast days they were: I arrived in Taipei late Saturday night, getting to my hotel at about 11pm. Sleep followed shortly thereafter.
Sunday I wandered the city in the morning – starting with the impressive Chiang Kai-shek Memorial. The approach from the subway station is impressive – with a huge plaza before a huge memorial – and I managed to arrive just in time for the changing of the guard.
Two things about the changing of the guard amused me: first, this is the first time I’ve ever seen so many selfie-sticks in action. Secondly, after the new guards had marched into place, there was another man who came along and made sure their uniforms were perfect.
I’ll admit that when it comes to Taiwan’s history (and China, for that matter), I only know the broad brush strokes, so much of what I learned in the accompanying museum was new to me – Chiang Kai-shek is a name I know, but that’s it. However, I felt that the exhibits went a bit too far – there’s a sense of hero worship that made me a bit uncomfortable. We do not need to know that he sent a telegram to Neil Armstrong after Neil walked on the moon: lots of people did, and the fact that Chiang sent a telegram didn’t really affect Taiwan’s history – other than the fact that I was made aware of it.
Beyond that, I wandered the city, ate a hot cream filled pastry, and hit up two other tourist attractions: A paper museum and Taipei 101.
The Suho Memorial Paper Museum is a hokey place – with exhibits about the history of paper, how paper is made, and the different uses of paper. For an extra fee, one can also make a sheet of paper – which I have. I’d show it to you, but it’s rolled up in my poster tube in my suitcase and I’m feeling lazy.
Taipei 101 is a very tall, bamboo-like looking, building – the views from the top are very nice, although I will admit that photography was crap because it was cloudy – and the sunset I hoped for did not materialize.
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