Them Taiwanese…They Got Style

很棒的老人

Garbage

One of the most unique things about Taiwan is its garbage.

Or rather, its garbage collection (although I’m sure you’d find some pretty funky stuff in its garbage too).

First, there is the Maiden Call (9:30pm on the button in my neighborhood):

(I take no credit for the production of that video, but it was masterfully executed )

…Then, the garbage minions duly arrive.

Garbage collection time is social time. People wait around with their bags of trash until the big yellow truck comes, chuck their blue bags in the back of the truck, and then go on their merry ways.

You must separate plastic bottles from other plastic, cardboard, paper, and your old rotting foodstuffs. This is all highly confusing to the wee foreigner even after a year’s time, but the friendly recyclables collection men are always there to help.

The compost bins.

I have to say, as annoying as it is in many ways (ie: the awful tinny music that is everywhere to be heard around the entire island of Taiwan; the mysterious dearth of public trash bins around the city; the fact that I’m roused out of my room on the 6th floor with no elevator at 9:30 at night; the fact that I *ewww* have to touch my trash), the system works and it really makes you conscious of the waste you produce every day. Back home in the US, it is very easy to be blind to all of the crap I throw out–and usually not separated in to the proper bin either; just throw it in the trash bag, put it on the side of the road and–like magic!–it’s gone! The recycling system Taiwan has managed to implement is really remarkable. When there is a trash bin to be found, there is usually a recycling bin right next to it. All of the waste bins on my university’s campus are separated into four different types, with only one actual “trash” bin. Taiwan also charges a small fee for every plastic bag used in grocery stores, convenient stores, etc. In addition, there are also special blue garbage bags I have to purchase in order to be able to throw out my trash (no charge on recyclable products).

I’m not sure if a similar system could work in the US, but small things–like a tax on plastic bags (which some places have already implemented) or a tax on garbage bags (but not recyclables) could perhaps go a long way.

***UPDATE: Taiwan’s garbage made it to the NYTimes!************

Mid-week Snacktime

Hello, ladies!

Lazy Wednesday

The Botanical Gardens near the Taiwan National Museum of History

Dumplings for the Revolution

First it was Hello Mao Tse-Tung Kitty…Now it’s Adolf Hitler steamed dumplings? I passed by the sign below on my way back home from campus today and had to do a double take…It really is a cartoon version of Adolf Hitler selling “German steamed dumplings”. Wow.

Hitler dumplings anyone? Sorry for the poor picture quality, I was on the bus when I snapped the picture.

By the way, have you ever played this game? (See below). It’s only kind of awesome.

Your next holiday wish-list item

Wordless Wednesday

Taiwanese people on a hot day on Fulong Beach...Can you spot the one in a bathing suit?

What’s Hotter than the Philippines?…Taipei

Just got back from a whirlwind trip to the Philippines. Taipei embraced me with sweaty armpits and a sunny smile–a 37°C (99°F) smile. I am now so longing to be back on the white sand beach, ice cold piñacolada and fresh turon in hand…if there is a fantasy land, it’s Boracay.

Put up your feet in Boracay. Mabuhay.

I was lucky to have the most wonderful tour guide there is to have in the Philippines–Miss Jackie, my friend from NCCU. She gave me and a couple other friends a real gift of a visit; how could we not decline, especially when Cebu Pacific’s promo fare was a mind-boggling $3000NT round trip?

Sigue. We began in Manila, a city I can only describe by two extremes: a shopping capital with rampant poverty. There are more shopping malls–beautiful ones too, at that–in that city than anywhere else (even Seoul!). But the poverty the country suffers from is everywhere to be seen, from the children sleeping on sidewalks of busy streets, to old men trying to sell anything they can while weaving through bowls of polluted bumper to bumper traffic–feather dusters, steering wheel covers, bananas…you name it. Which is also why crime is quite pervasive. Anastasia, the other friend I was traveling with, had the very unfortunate experience of having her purse stolen in a restaurant in broad daylight the second day we were there. Lesson learned the hard way, and after two full days spent in foreign embassies (not something I wish upon anyone), we were ready to begin the rest of our vacation…

Next stop was the northern provinces of Manila. We landed in Tuguegarao and then made our way up to the tiny village of Ballesteros, Jackie’s hometown. There you can find a very unusual black sand beach and sample ice cream sandwiches made with real bread buns. We also took our first tricycle ride, a must-do while in the country.

Local boys having fun on the black sand beach

Next day was spent on the white-sand Pagudpud beach in Cagayan. We had the place practically to ourselves, though Jackie mentioned it can get quite crowded during the summer (January-early June) and on holidays. After thanking her parents profusely for keeping us, we left Ballesteros and jaunted across the valley to Ilocos Norte and Laoag City. Laoag is a smaller city and still has some remnants of the country’s Spanish heritage left intact. We met up with Jackie’s aunt, Auntie Yollie, who generously showed us around. The day was basically spent eating a lot and sampling regional specialties, like empanadas and longanisa. Truly, the Philippines is a haven for carnivores.

Our next journey was to Vigan (about 1 1/2 hours from Laoag). Vigan is a heritage city, its Spanish cityscape amazingly kept intact after hundreds of years. We visited many old mansions (now converted to museums) and an old ceramics factory via riding a kalesa (a Filipino version of horse and buggy) through the cobblestone streets.

Typical street in Vigan

I feel very humbled by the hospitality I received by Jackie and her friends and family. They went out of their way to give us a real Filipino experience and treated us to the best parts of their hometowns and culture–I was stupendously spoiled. Whether luck or fate, meeting Jackie and having the opportunity to explore parts of her country that most people like me would never dream of receiving, was a real treat I will never forget. Maraming salamat po!!

Soon enough, we found ourselves on an airplane again; this time, Boracay–renowned for its pristine white sand beaches and thumping nightlife. A veritable paradise, again, if you have the unique ability to look past the poverty that dots the island. For me, it was a hard disparity to grapple with; but if it weren’t for the tourism that feeds the island I am at a loss to say what the locals’ lives would be like.

I recommend *at least* three full days there–we had about 2 1/2 and it was much too short. Let yourself fall into Eden. It’s vacation. Be pampered. Smile.

Take an island hopping tour so you can explore other parts you normally wouldn't see

Nothing rivals a Boracay sunset

All too soon, we are here again in Taipei. It marks the homestretch of my journey to the Far East.

Sound off: Twenty-eight days.

Time to turn up the heat, Taipei. This is it!

Mental Vacation

Signing off for two weeks. Will be here instead:

My brain on vacation