Just because I make my living as a freelance writer does not mean that I am bound to my computer desk all year long. I am called upon to attend various trade shows and other events, providing coverage for my clients in the form of written articles, as well as photos and videos. And so here I am back in Taiwan for Computex Taipei 2011.
This isn’t my first time here. I’ve been here twice before, covering the exact same trade show. As a quick refresher, Computex is one of the world’s largest technology and computer expo. It focuses largely on procurement, but there is a good deal of consumer electronics to consider here as well. It was here that we saw the unveiling of several new Eee PC netbooks from Asus, for example.
The language barrier is still an issue for me when I visit Taipei, as I don’t speak Taiwanese, but I can usually get by with some well-intentioned gesturing, charades, and some form of Chinglish. The good news is that most of the bigger companies have at least one English-speaking rep, so that’s usually who shows me around. Managing life outside of the trade show floor, however, can be a bit more challenging. More charades. More broken Chinglish (on both sides of the conversation).
While the first week in Taipei certainly won’t be a vacation, since I have lots of work to do while here, the second week will hopefully be a little more laid back. The trade show will have come and gone, and I can try to partake in more tourist-y activities. If you have any recommendations in that regard, I’m all ears. I’ve already been to Shilin Night Market before, as well as Taipei 101, but I do want to visit the Taipei Zoo this time.
On the downside, I won’t be in Vancouver for the Stanley Cup Finals, so I’ll have to rely on some online streaming to get my hockey fix. Go Canucks Go!
I hope that you don’t start an international incident with your gestures and Chinglish. But do have fun while we are watching the Canucks and Bruins on live TV.
It’s rather peculiar that you would want to visit the Taipei Zoo, are there any special reasons?
It seems like you will have the 2nd week for some R&R. Take the newly built High Speed Rail and tour other parts of Taiwan. Visit some hot springs resorts, or go to Kenting National Park.
Or maybe, put your stomach to the challenge of the extra spicy Tawiwanese hot pot.
Even though I’m aware that the living conditions for the animals are anything but optimal most of the time, I do enjoy visiting zoos. I’ve been to the ones in Vancouver, Seattle, and San Diego, but I haven’t been to one in Asia. That and the admission is very cheap compared to North America.
Yes, the goal is to get some R&R during that second week, but I’m sure I’ll still be getting some work done now and then. I want to visit other parts of Taiwan, but don’t really know where to start. Is Kenting a day trip from Taipei?
As far as food, I’ll eat almost anything, but I’m not big on extra spicy food particularly.
Kenting National Park is located at an area covering the southernmost area of the Taiwan island. From Taipei by HSR, the journey will take a good 4hrs (one way). I don’t think a day-trip will suffice.
Besides Kenting, I believe there are many scenic nature sites to explore. Since this is your 3rd time in Taipei, try to do something exciting outside urbanized Taipei.
Do you happen to know a way to stream the games for free? As I am here for the whole finals and would love to watch
jwf, I always watch games on justin tv, it depends what game it is though some are not able to be broadcast.
-Jean
You can also get your hockey fix at some of the pubs in Taipei. Brass Monkey actually broadcasts the canucks game live at 8am Taiwan time. http://www.brassmonkeytaipei.com/
I doubt the atmosphere will be anything close to the real deal in Vancouver
would have loved if you could add more pics
I posted several in my Flickr photostream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beyondtherhetoric/tags/taiwan/