The new Taipei.
It took me 3 weeks, but I found it. Reminds me of downtown Bellevue, just a tad bit grander. Polished marble and glass buildings rising out of the sugar cane fields of yesteryear (the 1980s). Too many to count, and some not willing to share a city block. Open space. Greenery. And a 16 theatre multi-plex. (I’m thinking of cutting class one day this week.) Not a single lane or alley so characteristic of this city. A youth group putting on a street fair promoting healthy living – balloons, speakers blaring, dancing and pavilion tents. Everything so clean and tidy.
The beacon is the 101 story, Taipei 101. Tallest building in the world, at least until the one in Dubai is christened. This one comes complete with an attached 6 story enclosed mall, that doesn’t open until a very fashionable 11:00 (I got there at 10:10). Pretty much all the stores were familiar. Would only know this was Asia by the scale and the food court. Shopping in a tux wouldn’t be overdressed. Headed to the food court with hopes of good ol’ American grub. But the pickings were slim. I couldn’t help myself, I went for Subway. And they make the exact same bad sandwich over here. Very unsatisfying.
Going back to the hotel, I walked through the area in which I got lost on my very first day. I remembered sweating profusely, map in hand and no landmark did I see. How could I miss it? 4 blocks away, spiring into the heavens like Jack’s Beanstalk was Taipei 101. Amazing what you see with different eyes.
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