Surprise, Surprise: Taipei, Taiwan!

Taipei's government mandated 'Typhoon Day' had to be, I left my hotel room with the weather everchanging. I wanted to carry on with my content creation, my blogs would still be published with places clocked in Taipei! I stayed with it, keeping to whatever route was open to me. The wind was ferocious but that kept many more people from venturing outside! Taipei served still! 

All I wanted to do was get some breakfast! Usually, I spend the first morning in a new destination getting some breakfast for my 'Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner' blog series. Was I able to do that in Taipei? No, I was only able to find the building where that local food spot was located but it was shut closed. I counted my blessings that I was even in Taiwan, keeping on with my day was crucial as I made my way over to Taipei's 'Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall'. The inside of the memorial hall was closed due to the current restrictions but the 'Memorial Hall Square' wasn't closed. I wasn't taking no for an answer, I had things to see! I managed to take some really nice photos of this monument, it was a full circle moment because it linked 'Sun Yat-Sen' from my second year in China when I went to Sun's 'Memorial Hall' in Nanjing. Now, I had to educate myself because 'Chiang Kai-shek' wasn't the same person as 'Zhongshan'. 'Chiang Kai-shek' did join 'Zhongshan's' political party, merely sharing the same political beliefs. Taiwan is amazing! 

Yes! Celebrating a former leader and president of the 'Republic of China' made sense, 'Chiang Kai-shek' had been a controversial leader as he promoted Chinese culture during the same time as different approaches were being applied in 'Mainland China' by a former leader I don't need to name. I have unearthed after reading that 'Chiang' had saved relics from the Forbidden City, saving them from their possible disposal during a certain 'creative movement' in the Mainland. I knew that Taiwan shared elements of 'Mainland China' but a certain relaxed version of their disputed older relative could be felt in and around Taipei. To be honest, I felt content that I was able to see that Taipei landmark without much disruption. My next move would be over to 'Taipei 101' because even though the tower observatory would be closed, I still wanted to see that icon close-up. Leaving 'Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall' was fun because the exits to the Taipei Metro played with my time. After all, I was able to access those 'operational' subway trains. Go!

Observatory or not, I was hellbent on seeing the world's former tallest building in Taipei, Taiwan! Taipei was teaching me a lesson or three, after reading I unearthed that 'Taipei 101' was formerly the tallest skyscraper in the world before Dubai's 'Burj Khalifa' was opened in 2004! Taking the metro from 'Chiang Kai-shek Memorial' over to 'Taipei 101' didn't take long. I was prepared for a quieter and closed version of this Taiwanese landmark, I felt half relieved that I wasn't able to see the view from the top because I don't usually do heights. Looking up at that Taipei icon into those blue skies was a mood, I was able to check another prime landmark off my list! Now, I wasn't playing because I needed to eat something, breakfast never happened and it was getting stupid that lunch time had practically arrived! Was everywhere closed? Finished with 'Taipei 101', I managed to find the first of many open and rather busy shopping centres. That skyscraper was an accessory, serving looks and standing strong in such Typhoon winds! 

Those shopping centre lights didn't fool me, I wanted to see some life! 'Breeze Nan Shan' took things to a new level with items way out of my price range. Nevertheless, I did have a walk around the Japanese import supermarket, I saw 'Brookside' chocolates! If you know, you know! Like magic, I saw an elevated bridge creating a walkway to a more realistically priced shopping centre with a food court rather than over budget restaurants. 'Shin Kong Mitsukoshi' next to 'Taipei 101' was a god-send! I dined on a bowl of delicious beef noodles, washing them down with two super-size cans of 'Kirin Ichiban' Japanese beer. I noticed instantly that the kids around me were behaved so well, they spoke to their parents with respect and sat calmly. The parents in-turn also kept their side of the bargain, they put their phones away and actually held conversations with their partners and children! The Taiwanese parent a lot better! Cookies? You know I treated myself to three soft baked cookies, it was sublime! Sure, Typhoon Days are fun! 

Was Taipei one in a million? The rain kept on pouring down as the Typhoon made its way closer to the island of Taiwan, quite like that weather front I kept on moving also. I left behind the shelter of those shopping centres because I wanted to catch a glimpse of '象山/Elephant Mountain'. Taking the MRT from 'Taipei 101' to the station named after that hill felt correct, the rain made everything look mysteriously humid, I actually wasn't bothered by the rain because it gave things an atmospheric feeling. I was doing good, I had no choice to stop for a beer, I knew what I needed to do. I got lost in those streets but it was all good because tracks were being made closer to 'Elephant Mountain'. The empty streets allowed me to appreciate that calm, I wanted to make the most of every moment whilst I was in Taiwan. Usually I hate the rain, I knew that a covered bar would be waiting for me in Ximen later on! I wasn't about to recreate an Instagram reel, who do you think I am? I'm not a content creator posting for clout! TT, I kept on walking! 

I was living my jungle/rainforest fantasy! Now, if you thought that I was about to climb one thousand or something steps in order to take a misty photo of the Taipei 101 from Elephant Mountain then you'd be sorely mistaken! I didn't want to put my back out nor break a sweat because those steps were steep, slippery and not worth hurting myself! I travelled smart, taking my one and only photo within the lush surroundings of '象山' because I had my click bait worthy image but no it wasn't for clicks because it was genuinely a beautiful photo! Descending back down to street level felt like a military operation because those stone steps weren't easy to walk down! The walk back to the train allowed me to catch a mysterious view of that said skyscraper, one way or another I was able to see Taipei 101 from many viewpoints regardless of the weather conditions. I headed back towards Ximen because I figured some of the Gay bar would be open as the day had pushed on, I wanted to sample a late afternoon tipple. Was I the problem? No, T!

Even though I had not refuelled with some food, I didn't care! Heading back to Ximen was a whole mood! I ordered a 'Toxic Fairy' at 'G+ Paradise' because I wanted to day drink a little in the heart of Taipei's Gaybourhood! I was able to talk to some local American Taiwanese brothers who were spending sometime at the bar before they went for their evening meal. One of the brothers had relocated from the United States of America after he felt that going back to his parents homeland would be a better fit for me. It was an eye-opening conversation because he explained how he had gotten tired experiencing the micro-aggressions in a land that his parents had fought hard to achieve a 'better life'. I didn't know how to act, sipping on those strong cocktails felt correct, it was what dreams were made of! I wanted another 'Toxic Fairy!' I knew when it was time to eat and get refreshed for the evening ahead. I was not going to be messy, yet! I enjoyed the finest cuisine that evening, 'FamilyMart' came through for me! It was all a blur, T! 

I wasn't content with those afternoon into early evening drinks because I found a little bar around the corner from my hotel. The rain did not bother me one bit, I craved another libation! The pint was poured poorly, I was politely spoken when I brought this up with the guy who had poured it. I knew that spot wouldn't be the only one for the night as I headed back over to those Ximen Gay bars once again. Heading upstairs, I found a quiet bar that had been designed in a most extravagant way, it was kitsch and then some! Ordering a chocolate milk cocktail, I got talking to a local Taiwanese guy who spoke English very well. He told me about Taiwan's emphasis regarding English speaking, it seemed like another word compared to somewhere else I knew. The night didn't end late but I made sure I hydrated with a drink from 'FamilyMart' and popped a few ibuprofen and paracetamol because my early 30's are doing me dirty! Bedding down after a mammoth day out, I had proved that 'Typhoon Day' very wrong! Now, who's toxic?

A Toxic Fairy? I Do Think! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure