23 March 2014
Security
I often run into trouble with security guards or police or concerned citizens groups, so it came as no surprise that I might get lost and get followed out of a place by 3 security guards on radio.
I set out, and saw planes nearly landing on my head, and so headed towards the Songshan airport to take photos of that at dusk. It got dark too quickly.
So I headed north, finding my dinner at the old location of the flower expo (excellent spot see below), before heading towards where I thought the famous Shilin night market is.
Eventually I spotted the Grand Hotel, which is where a lot of foreigners stay as it looks like a Chinese temple, and I think was in fact the first foreigner hotel in Taiwan, whatever that means.
It is however terribly situated, seemingly the only way in or out is by taxi or their shuttle bus...unless you are me.
I wandered around it, and the only road pointed to some sort of club.
There were tennis courts and golf driving ranges and swimming pools and whatever, so like a country club.
A security guard challenged me where I was going, and I just pointed in the direction i was going, looking for a way out.
He said various things and then told me to get in a taxi, I said no, I walk, then I tried that in Chinese, I think I got it right! Zou Lu.
Anyway, hes on the radio now, and 2 more guys arrive on scooters, meanwhile I am just walking. They followed me for a good 5 minutes until I turned off down a set of stairs towards a road, at which point they stood at the top, on their radios, looking at me.
Job well done rent a cops, I did not blow up or steal anything, this time.
Best pic I could get of a plane descending into Songshan. Earlier I just about had to go back to my hotel and change my pants when a much larger plane flew between buildings right in front of me.
It was a trick of perspective, but looked amazing.
This is the cool food court, its actually kind of outdoors. I think the theme is its a farmers market food court, featuring only stuff grown locally.
So I had a mexican themed salad, because salad. It came with Chicken. I kind of wish the chicken was hotter. We will find out how that turns out a bit later.
This is the Grand Hotel, behind which I had my security guard slow speed chase scene.
20,000 ISO. Full Zoom.
The city, normal zoom, 800 ISO. Its amazing how much Taipei 101 stands out.
People just waiting to get into the hugely popular Shilin Night Market.
More of those things where you try and get something out of the cabinet with the grappling hook. The same stores are all over Taipei. This one even has a few people in it.
Just one of the many crowded streets of the market. I didnt spend much time here as I had eaten and I dont need to buy hello kitty panties.... or do I?
Years ago this market burnt down.
Last time I was here, post burn down and rebuild, I was fairly trapped in the basement food court eating a crushed cookie rolled in raw dough for some reason.
I see they now have this cool motion sensing system to work out how many people are in the basement at any one time.
The 1/3 full basement. I didnt have anything to eat this time, this is where many of the worlds foods are invented!