Taipei, the modern city

20 August 2010 - Taipei 101

Taipei 101, by itself, is a nice mall to hang out. If you aren't prepared to pay NT$400 to take the view from the 101th floor, you will be delighted to spend an afternoon in the cozy coffee houses, restaurants and bookstore that surround the open square on the 4th floor.

Looking up, I discovered the lovely transparent roof structure that's letting the natural light bathe the activities here.

While I was happily snapping away at whatever catches my eye, I heard a voice saying, "Where are you from?". Hmm... oh an elderly grandfather calling out to me. Out of respect, I responded.

"People who love to take photos never have a photo with them inside." he said, kindly offering to take a picture of me with my camera.

When I was reviewing the photos back home, I understood why he said that...

The old man invited me to sit down for a chat. Not rushing anywhere, I obliged. He asked where I was heading to for the next few days. I fished out my notebook and rattled some names which I had copied from the travelguides in the bookstores.

"四四南村, 剥皮寮, 林安泰古厝..."
(translate: 44th South Village, Bo Pi Liao Street, Lin An Tai Mansion... etc) I said.

"你怎么选的都是台北最老最旧最脏的地方啊?你应该去那些好一点的地方才对!"
(translate: Why do you choose the oldest, dirtiest and most tattered places to visit? You should visit the better places!)

Hahaha... I burst out laughing...

My reply? See last paragraph of this entry.

Browsing through the photos, I realised that I had unknowingly taken him as part of the landscape here. Hmm, how careless I was not to notice him staring straight into my camera... :{

Freedom to choose where to go is the best thing of an F&E trip.  I'm really glad to have the luxury of time and independence to explore this beautiful city.