Streetside vendors - Taiwan's cash economy

The cash economy in Taiwan is huge. Almost every street (and under bridges as here) have vendors selling wares -- often produced in Taiwan's (or China's) factories.

Taiwanese food court redux

A food court in Taiwan - still bustling!

Fun with outdoor electrical wiring

Boing Boing had a post on creative, ad hoc (can you say "poor urban planning?") electrical cables in Hanoi, Vietnam. One finds such wacky (and dangerous?) cabling all over Asia -- even Taipei County, Taiwan as these photos I took show.

Driving with lights off - saving gas or bad drivers?

A rant here. Please don't misconstrue this as racism or as anti-Taiwanese or anti-Chinese. I am just concerned for the road safety of all who drive (including me) in this part of the world.

Why do about 1 in 20 drivers in "Greater China" (Taiwan and China) drive with their lights off at night? Saving on petrol (gas) -- is this scientifically valid? Or the bumper-to-bumper traffic congestion makes it seem that lights are unnecessary? Are are these drivers just bad drivers?

Civic Boulevard temple

A temple on Civic Boulevard (市民大道) in Taipei. Near the intersection of FuXing South Road. Close to the Breeze Center shopping mall.

Scooters galore

For those new to or visiting Taiwan, beware of the scooters: