"Chung" Up close

Funny how some Taiwanese people in some establishments would avoid to help/serve foreigners. They are afraid to speak english. If they know you're calling them, they would avoid you and turn to another direction. That's typical of Taiwanese.  After all these experiences, I started to admire/appreciate those  who are brave enough to speak up and do their best to be of help. I decided to write this to give out some info for my friends and relatives who are planning to come over for a visit. The following are probably some of the reasons why I never get enough of Taiwan.

Do let me know if you have other things to add.

Temples, temples and lots of temples

You’ll find temples almost everywhere just like chapels is almost everywhere in the Philippines. Most of the Taiwanese are Buddhist, Taoist, and worst Atheist. Once, I took a tour bus with a Taichung-Taipei route and in one of our stopovers I witnessed a man possessed by an evil spirit just outside the temple. He spoke in different tone/voice with a fierce look in his eyes.

I can't believe how people can be so decieved. You see, everyone still thought it was a god that possessed him.

Ghost Month

So I went to Lugang and as my friend and I were walking we came a across a temple with a group of gods placed on top of a table. One of the gods as I've noticed seemed burned. I looked and wonder why they put that image altogether with the gods. My friend/guide said it was a ghost god. Nye..what??? a ghost god????

I also found out about the fact that people in Taiwan observed ghost month that usually start from July to August. During this month, it’s a bad luck to move house,  whistle, get a surgery or operation, even get married, etc.

During this time it was said that the gates of hell were opened and that hungry spirits will be roaming around, so people would have to prepare food and drinks for them to feast on.

In the Philippines, we do observe All soul's Day and All Saint's Day that falls on Nov. 1st and 2nd respectively. During this time, people would spend time with their love ones who were gone ahead of them.             

Squat Toilets

Funny how some foreigners make fun of the squat toilets in Taiwan. Most of the newly built establishments in Taiwan prefer to have squat toilets for health reasons. I even read in a magazine regarding the steps on how to use it.

Scooter-Fix

Where can one find a country that will help you fix some problems on your car/scooter and won’t charge you anything at all. Sometimes I have my scooter changed oil for free too. Only in Taiwan I guess.  

Parks

Me and my dog just love the parks esp.  the one in Jinguo Blvd. 

Every Sunday 9-5pm you’ll find people with their pets ( cats & dogs) of every breed spending time right at this park. Taiwan is a country of animal lovers. Here you’ll find dogs with sunglasses riding on top of their master’s scooter, or you’ll see dogs face instead of people in the car windows.

Some would even tag along their dogs whenever they do grocery.

I spent hours in the park reading book while my dog fellowship with others.

Hotpot

Where else can one enjoy a hotpot worth NT$100 with bottomless black tea and unlimited scoop of ice cream?  Only in Taiwan, guys.

Jazz Festival

I enjoy going to Jazz Festival. Not only its free but performers came from abroad to perform for a week or two at Jinguo Blvd.

Apartment, House, and dormitories

Most of the houses are open during the daytime which is for me unbelievable. They are so trusting and never thought of anyone might trespass their property.

Shoes outside their room. I remember a Taiwanese dormitory in Manila where the students put their shoes outside their doorway and found them all gone the next day

711 

Where else can you find a 7-11 with all its convenience, a snackbar, salad bar, coffee bar, a cafe, atm, train tickets and a toilet.

People can sit down, have a snack or sip coffee  while waiting for friends to come.

Reliable Insurance Company   




 A friend of mine had an unexpected surgery, with ample money in her pocket, she was broke and wonder how to settle her hospital bills. The insurance company helped her arranged how she can pay by installment. They even asked if she can pay it this year, and if not, they can help arranged the payment for next year's.


       

          Isn't that amazing? Where else but only in Taiwan.

Pretty Betel-Nut Girls

Betel nut girls are becoming one of the country's attraction. More and more foreigners in Taiwan noticed how they are introduced/exposed in the society.

I saw one comment that stated that if you want to sell betel nut in Taiwan, "you have to take off some clothes," he said. "If you wear too much, you won't make any money."

Unfortunately, I feel they they exploited especially those younger ones.