[QUOTE]Originally posted by gabedude
[B]Oh and unlike the USA, there does not seem to be a drug problem or much violence at all.

 

I keep hearing that Taiwan spells like last months dog doo, but hey, so many nice women come from there. I hope to visit that booger sized island someday myself.

 

i don't know whether to be angry or sad.

booger sized island? if they had a choice do you think they would choose an island of that size? and may i remind you that the island is a wonder of the modern democracy. while unrecognized internationally, it is an economic powerhouse in asia, and one of the few places unscathed by the asian financial crisis in '97.

the "stench" you're referring to is probably caused by pollution. but you gotta remember (looks like you were in Taipei, according to the telephone number listed on the sign) that TPE is a valley with very little in the way of clearing through rain or wind (like San Francisco). go to downtown LA on a hot day, and you'll smell the same thing.

yeah, and if you don't know what the hell they're talking about, perhaps you can try and learn the language? most every child speak some english in Taiwan, can you say the same for us "spoiled americans"? se habla espanol? parlez vous francais? nihongo shaperu? sprechen sie deutsch? argh!!

 

I took a vacation there this summer, and while parts of the country seem like a 3rd world place, other parts have the most advanced techonology...a very odd clash. gabedude, which part of Taiwan are you in? I agree about the driving...it's absolutely insane over there! The death penalty thing is a pretty strong punishment, but like you said...it eliminates problems over there, and I agree with it.

 

well said, well said..





[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jay Li
[B]I took a vacation there this summer, and while parts of the country seem like a 3rd world place, other parts have the most advanced techonology...a very odd clash.

 

What was really cool is that when I was there, my brother and I would go to basketball courts, and I knew enough Chinese to get some pickup games going. It was pretty neat, actually being able to use my second language. They were asking me all kinds of questions too, and it really does open your eyes to how large the world is.

If you were in the Taipei area, then I agree with you on the smell...it's a horribly polluted area. However, mingster is right in that if you go to any major city, it's not going to have the best air quality. Be glad that you're fortunate enough to take a vacation halfway across the world!

 

I wish it was a vacation, I'm actually here on business. My second language is french, so chill out Ming. Its probably the fact that I'm in a foreign place totally alone. It would be ok if someone was here with me, but I'm alone. Sorry, I never learned Mandarin. Anyway, Its an interesting place, but really, I miss the USA.

BTW, the pollution I can handle. I've been to LA, so I know what its like there. In Taipei the sewers are connected directly to the storm drains, so you smell sh1t all the time. Especially when it rains.

 

God damn Civic Hatches everywhere! Still have not gotten a good pic of a Lancer or WRX STI. I saw an STI, but it was going the other way and I didn't have enough time to turn the camera on! Damnit.

 

Hmm...just out of curiosity, how do you get by without knowing how to speak Mandarin?

 

Gabedude,

LOL...looks like you stirred up a few bows of fried rice! As much as I hate to admit it though, what you said is mostly true. The polution is fairly bad in Taipei as well as many parts of Asia. You just can't compare the good O' US of A to *most* other parts of the world. Ever been to London, England??? well...it's almost as bad with the stentch and trash all over!!! You also made it to Taiwan at the worst time possible...SUMMER!!! I can not stand the heat, humidity and more humidity. The only time I will go back is durring winter when it's dry.

Do yourself a favor if you're in Taipei and check out the Hard Rock Cafe. They have a jamming night club down stairs in the evening. Also, check out that Warner Brothers mall megaplex....I can't remember the name. Enjoy while u can. Forget about the other craps!