Captain's Log

Set 2: 23-29 July 2014

(23 July 103) For our second optics class Typhoon Matmo hit the east coast as a category-2 storm. Roosevelt Road was nearly deserted at rush hour. We held class in the hotel lobby rather than going to campus. Here's the professor's eye view of most of the class; Jimmy, Leane, Sam, Emily, Tristan, Kritch, Ethan, Adam, Nick, Paul. No chalkboard and no projector.

(24 July 2014) Do parents of ten have to count them when they get off the subway? If they only count nine, how long does it usually take to figure out who is missing?

There are many 5-story buildings in Taipei. There was a law that anything over 5 required an elevator, which discouraged buildings any higher.

Prof. Blundell led a tour of the Museum of Formosan Aborigines. The National Palace Museum we visited earlier in the week had nothing from Taiwan (The Emperor didn't think highly of this island, while this one is all about the people that have inhabited the island of Formosa for over 8000 years. Formosa is the name of the island, given by the Portuguese explorers. The last couple of decades have seen growth in interest in the culture of indigenous people of Taiwan. Taiwan has many such groups, each with its own language and customs.

(25 July 2014) This was one of our Free Fridays. A group of us got up early and climbed Elephant Mountain for some good exercise (early in the morning, before the heat of the day) and outstanding views of the city. From left to right, Nick, Joseph, Paul, and Adam enjoy the view. Taipei-101 dominates the skyline. It seems to be visible from all over Taipei, but these are the best views I've seen.

I was very happy to find out how easy it is to find coffee (the Family Mart next to the hotel), and we're not going to break the bank with our food budget; I spent $85 NT (less than $3 US) for lunch today, and a "nice" dinner is often around $300NT.

(26 July 2014) I forgot the camera today. Some of the group went to the electronics market in the Guang Hua area. There's a building a bit like B&H in New York, but with small vendors selling everything from high-end electronics to do-it-yourself components. There are lots of oscilloscopes, meters, and other test equipment for sale. The neighborhood is full of other electronics stores, a bit like Canal Street. Prices seem to be comparable to, or higher than in the US. I just bought my laptop for about $900US, and saw the same model here at $36,000NT (about $1100US).

I finished the day with some good yellow curry and a craft beer at Jolly, up by the NTU Hospital.

(27 July 2014) This was the first day I could say that the weather was great. The sky was clear and the humidity seemed a little lower. I didn't do much but work, eat, and enjoy a bit of sunshine.

(29 July 2014) Well into our second week, we're settling into the city and the basic rhythm of Our lives here. We had class out at NCCU (A beautiful mountain-side campus) this afternoon, and watched a film about Amis culture entitled Amis Hip-Hop. Emily and Ethan practiced a few steps in the hall during the break. Afterward, we all gathered down the hall in the CIEE office. In the back, April Wang, Christie Chang, David Blundell, Arnold, Ethan, Emily, Tristan, Paul, Nick, Leane, Adam. In front, Stephanie, Chuck, Sam, Jimmy.