17:32: This morning we went to this e-science center. Basically, it sucked pretty bad, we were all dissapointed. But then we went to a 13-floor department store, the Shinguang Department Store, opened by some Japanese company. There was lots of stuff there, so that was cool. They had scale models of Imprezas! A 1:10 WRC model. Too bad it's department-store NT$ 2650 expensive. Even the 1:36 model is NT$ 1400. Doh. The keychain w/ a simple model is reasonable, though. I'll take a couple of those, thank you. The big models will wait till I find a cheaper venue.
19:16: You now how when nice classical songs get ruined into jingles? Add Für Elise to that list. Every day the trash truck drives by blaring what has become the national-time-to-take-out-the-trash song. It beeps away with resonance that has an annoying factor surpassing even the worst cell phone ringer songs.
23:28: We went to another night market, where I bought an expensive Swiss Army watch. $299. NT. Hehe, I love imitation.
Friday, 29th of June, 2001
Taipei is definitely awesome, they've built the subway, the MRT. It's quite extensive, and it's still being constructed, the oldest parts about 3 years old. Very nice.
The life here in Taipei is all night. This should be a fun few days.
19:22: We had an Asian version of a western dinner at the buffet under the National Theatre at the CKS memorial. First time I've used a fork in 9 days. There was still some interesting cuisine, like some paste made of turtle shells...
20:08: Woah! This National Percussion Ensemble concert I'm watching is soooo awesome! I've never seen percussion as amazing at this. The show is designed with such awesome appeal, glow in the dark effects, wow. I love this!
21:43: Add to that strobe lights, confetti, and a really cool Ricky Martin arrangement. Definitely an awesome pro show.
Thursday, 28th of June, 2001
14:33: We went to a mall to eat near the International Trade Center. There's a computer superstore there too, but the portable electronics section was closed for renovation. Argh! Of all sections. But from what I saw, wow. They probably at least a year ahead in the latest gadgets, it's so cool.
Wednesday, 27th of June, 2001
19:13: OMG, we hit a high of 36.7°C today. Woah, that's 98°F. So far, it's the 2001 high here. It didn't feel that bad out here. Heat tolerance, baby.
Tuesday, 26th of June, 2001
Monday, 25th of June, 2001
10:34: The driver left the Freeca's headlights on, so now the battery's run down and won't start. The power locks didn't work, but fortunately the remote car alarm responded, kinda weak and funnily. By chance, a military van was around to give us a jump.
11:29: Well now that I get to see the Pacific without the typhoon... Wow. The water is such a nice blue, different shades and all, against the rocky mountainous coast.
15:00: Omg (which, btw is the most popular superlative here - even the news uses it), I figured out what the blatant thing that's weird about these beaches is - nobody sunbathes! Woah, it makes the beaches seem so empty.
Sunday, 24th of June, 2001
The locals tell me this is a taste of seriously rural Taiwan. It obviously is. This city is surrounded completely by mountains, with about 30000 inhabitants. The buildings max out at 4 floors (quite rare in this country), and the roads are wide. With only 2 traffic lights (!!) the locals say everyone exceeds 100 km/hr (that's more like it - 1/1 too 21:23: We've done further sightseeing, and now we're back at Hua-lien being hosted for the night.
14:58: We are fortunate to have a church brother who works for the national park here. He just showed the lump of land where the Australian (!!) and Asia techtonic plates collide (!!) There's a bridge over of these faults, and they tell me the bridge shifts up half a centimeter each year.