Current events in Taiwan.

D · #1 (**permalink**) Sep 16, 06

As some of you may know, I'm moving to Taipei on Monday.

I just found out that there is some crazy political stuff happening there right now. Hundreds of thousands of people have been taking to the streets in protest of the government. Does anyone know the full details on this? Should I take any special precautions, or avoid any specific areas?? Needless to say I'm a bit in the dark here, any advice or comments would be much apreciated.

neoh · #2 (**permalink**) Sep 16, 06

learn kung-fu!

D · #3 (**permalink**) Sep 16, 06

Quote:

Originally Posted by neoh

learn kung-fu!

Brilliant! :D

In all seriousness that might be a good idea. I will have to find something to help pass the times during the week!

neoh · #4 (**permalink**) Sep 16, 06

learn mandarin!

or go work in a factory or something.

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications...k/geos/tw.html
:D

Senior · #5 (**permalink**) Sep 16, 06

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5351368.stm

It seems the president (Democratic Progressive Party) has been caught in a corruption scndal. His oppents have demanded he resign over it. It would seem though that his opponents are pro communism and just being oppurtunistic. A pro government rally is planned for today.

D · #6 (**permalink**) Sep 16, 06

Quote:

Originally Posted by neoh

learn mandarin!

or go work in a factory or something.

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications...k/geos/tw.html
:D

Haha :)

In 5 years I have learned a grand total of a few sentences and words in chinese. Most of them bad/rude :D

D · #7 (**permalink**) Sep 16, 06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senior

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5351368.stm

It seems the president (Democratic Progressive Party) has been caught in a corruption scndal. His oppents have demanded he resign over it. It would seem though that his opponents are pro communism and just being oppurtunistic. A pro government rally is planned for today.

Yeah sounds pretty crazy. Just some people were telling me to be careful down there, comparing it to something crazy that happened in china during the late 80's.

*shrugs*

Senior · #8 (**permalink**) Sep 16, 06

Quote:

Originally Posted by D

Yeah sounds pretty crazy. Just some people were telling me to be careful down there, comparing it to something crazy that happened in china during the late 80's.

*shrugs*

Tiananmen Square?

If so I think this is a little different.

mapleleaf4ever · #9 (**permalink**) Sep 16, 06

CS Tear Gas smells like Cherry Blasters Candy... if you smell Cherries and there's no Candy around, get a Rag and cover your face quickly. It's not a pleasing feeling.

D · #10 (**permalink**) Sep 16, 06

Hehe maybe I'm getting worked up for nothing. If I'm not back in 2007... send a search party.

omega_image · #11 (**permalink**) Sep 16, 06

your white, nothing much to really worry about from the protestors. its more the cops you should be concerned with.

try and stay away from the hot spots, as you'll stick out like a sore thumb lol. plus with playing all night you shouldnt have much problems if your sleeping most of the day.

im sure the promoters/staff there will take great care of you. congrats danny!

D · #12 (**permalink**) Sep 16, 06

Thanks man :)

lildonkey · #13 (**permalink**) Sep 16, 06

tell everyone that you are from the USA and be really loud and obnoxious in quiet settings... i.e. restaurants... museums.... hospitals... etc etc

then tell everyone you meet to learn how to speak english

project.one · #14 (**permalink**) Sep 16, 06

Learn to scuba dive! Youll love it!
Ive got some solid gear for sale. (Even if you dont use it you can sell it :P)

But some excellent diving out there for sure!
I can hook you up!

stephen_c · #15 (**permalink**) Sep 16, 06

Quote:

Originally Posted by D

Haha :)

In 5 years I have learned a grand total of a few sentences and words in chinese. Most of them bad/rude :D

tell us a real bad/rude one.

vaporize · #16 (**permalink**) Sep 17, 06

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephen_c

tell us a real bad/rude one.

http://www.insultmonger.com/swearing/mandarin.htm

fable · #17 (**permalink**) Sep 17, 06

Quote:

I just found out that there is some crazy political stuff happening there right now

Hmmm, how about since well before dutch colonialism in the mid 1600's? Perhaps Imperial Chinese Occupation? Perhaps a little dash of Japanese Occupation? The Sanfrancisco Treaty? "One Nationalist China?" US intervention (as usual), and the ongoing attempts of specific demographics of Taiwan wanting to be their own republic..... give or take volumes of contextual history and contemporary events.

I think its par for the course, when travelling to any location to stay for an extended period - do a little reading on research, a little on contemporary politics through any number of domestic resources, ask around here (freinds and such) and when you get over there, hook up with as many locals as you can, and get some of their perspective, and put everything together, and you have the start to what could amount to a reletively decent grasp of the going-ons within a foreign area.

This can be accelerated by hanging out a few bars early, getting hammered with some locals, and getting them to argue politics, while you despertly try to translate, and then have them wheel around on you, laugh at your silly round-eye ass, and proceed to get you so shitfaced that you wake up in a village 20 miles away butt naked and sleeping with a goat.