Nothing spells “Welcome to Germany!” as forcefully as three (3) scenic breaks on open fields, forty-three (43) minutes of accumulated delay, and one (1) non-functional wifi on a high-speed Intercity-Express train from Frankfurt Airport to Düsseldorf. No wonder Switzerland pulled the plug on Deutsche Bahn trains entering the country! Likewise, people distance-shouting into their phones is another thing I utterly didn’t miss. (In East and South-East Asia, that’s an absolute no-no on trains and subways, where even hushed-voice phone calls are frowned upon and generally avoided.)
Now, how great is Taipei (and Hualien, for that matter)? Terrifically great! And while the friends I made insisted that Taiwanese, who are among the most friendly, helpful, and patient people I ever met, would turn into raging brutes once inside their cars, I felt much safer driving a motorbike or heavier (Class 1/M1) scooter there than in Europe or the U.S. (not to mention Singapore), thanks to how urban traffic is organized. And it put the fun back into driving on two wheels with a vengeance! Taipei, eventually, became the third city—along Tōkyō and Singapore—where I’d go if suitable work came along. Sure, I’d have to learn Standard Mandarin, or at least some of it, but that’s a price I’d gladly pay. And while the Taiwanese university system lacks positions for subjects comparable to those I teach in Europe, Taiwan has—in stark contrast to Japan or Singapore—a vibrant and successful indie developer scene. To connect with them was the awesomest and most inspiring thing! And it really drove home how much I miss developing games and our (long defunct) indie studio in Hong Kong. But one can dream.
For reasons of mental hygiene and general sanity, I’m not going to comment on the state of the world, where everything seems to become more depressing by the minute. Furthermore, no freshly published photos or blog posts as yet. I kept myself out of the (social) media loop for the entire time I was away, dedicating as much time as possible instead to exploring, making new friends, motorbiking in good company through steam from volcano vents in the mountains, breathtakingly gorgeous gorges, and Taipei city traffic, and eating exciting new things with the constant challenge of avoiding pork (which isn’t easy in Taiwan, let me tell you). And while I did do some remote work, of course, including answering students’ questions and administering term project advice, all my activities there were way too exciting and enjoyable to spend more time on the interwebs than necessary!
Cheers
J.
Now, how great is Taipei (and Hualien, for that matter)? Terrifically great! And while the friends I made insisted that Taiwanese, who are among the most friendly, helpful, and patient people I ever met, would turn into raging brutes once inside their cars, I felt much safer driving a motorbike or heavier (Class 1/M1) scooter there than in Europe or the U.S. (not to mention Singapore), thanks to how urban traffic is organized. And it put the fun back into driving on two wheels with a vengeance! Taipei, eventually, became the third city—along Tōkyō and Singapore—where I’d go if suitable work came along. Sure, I’d have to learn Standard Mandarin, or at least some of it, but that’s a price I’d gladly pay. And while the Taiwanese university system lacks positions for subjects comparable to those I teach in Europe, Taiwan has—in stark contrast to Japan or Singapore—a vibrant and successful indie developer scene. To connect with them was the awesomest and most inspiring thing! And it really drove home how much I miss developing games and our (long defunct) indie studio in Hong Kong. But one can dream.
For reasons of mental hygiene and general sanity, I’m not going to comment on the state of the world, where everything seems to become more depressing by the minute. Furthermore, no freshly published photos or blog posts as yet. I kept myself out of the (social) media loop for the entire time I was away, dedicating as much time as possible instead to exploring, making new friends, motorbiking in good company through steam from volcano vents in the mountains, breathtakingly gorgeous gorges, and Taipei city traffic, and eating exciting new things with the constant challenge of avoiding pork (which isn’t easy in Taiwan, let me tell you). And while I did do some remote work, of course, including answering students’ questions and administering term project advice, all my activities there were way too exciting and enjoyable to spend more time on the interwebs than necessary!
Cheers
J.