The Languages of Taiwan: An Introduction
On my travels outside Taiwan when I meet people and tell them where I spent more than a decade of my life, they sometimes ask what language is spoken in the country. The easiest answer…
Category: Living
World Cup 2014 in Taiwan
Whilst the World Cup is not actually in Taiwan, there is a high level of interest in the competition here. Consequently, pubs and clubs that would normally shun any kinds of sports coverage put in…
Getting a Driving Licence in Taiwan: Taking Lessons
If you live in Taiwan and you would like to drive, it is ultimately better to get a licence. Although you can drive with an international licence, they are only strictly valid for three months…
Shopping for Tailor Made Clothes
When you think of getting custom made shirts or suits, Hong Kong often springs to mind. However, there has also been a long tradition of tailoring here in Taiwan, with many shops in Taipei around…
How Easy Is the EasyCard?
It’s 8:20 AM on Monday and you’re late for work. You rush out of the house, wondering if you’ll make it to the office on time. Arriving at the MRT station, you discover that you’ve…
Shopping for Cameras
A shopping experience often depends on the store and the staff who serve you. This is especially true when buying a camera as the amount of money involved can be substantial (see below for a…
Typhoon Preparedness
The transition from spring into summer spells an end to long bouts of drizzle, and invites fierce downpours, usually in the evenings. But these sporadic storms cannot compare to the South Pacific’s fiercest natural phenomenon,…
Why (nearly) every English teacher is illegal
As an American, the terms “illegal workers” or “undocumented immigrants” are all too familiar. Every year the United States deports approximately 200,000 people for immigration-related offenses, so to me, the idea of moving to a foreign…