Lost in Taipei: Humidity, Chess, and a Whole Lotta Bubble Tea
okay, so. taipei. wow. i’m still pretty sure my hair hasn’t fully dried since i landed. i just checked and it’s…a damp hug from the air right now, hope you like that kind of thing. seriously, the humidity is real. like, you walk outside and immediately feel like you’re wrapped in a warm, slightly sticky towel. not unpleasant, just…present.
I’m here scouting locations for a potential indie film - think quirky, atmospheric, a little bit melancholic. you know, the usual. and taipei is dripping with that vibe. it’s a city of contrasts, right? ancient temples squeezed between towering skyscrapers, bustling night markets overflowing with smells and sounds, and these pockets of absolute tranquility where you can just…breathe.
I spent a good chunk of yesterday wandering around *Daan Forest Park. it was surprisingly peaceful, even with the scooters buzzing around on the perimeter. i saw a group of older men playing chess - seriously intense stuff. like, they were staring at the board. i almost asked if i could take a picture, but i didn’t want to interrupt their concentration.
Speaking of interruptions, the food. oh god, the food. i’ve eaten my weight in bubble tea. i’m pretty sure i’m 50% tapioca pearls at this point. and the night markets! Shilin Night Market is a sensory overload in the best possible way. Stinky tofu? Tried it. Regretted it slightly. Would I do it again? Probably.
I overheard some drunk tourists arguing about the best place to get xiao long bao. apparently, Din Tai Fung is a must, but someone else insisted that a tiny, hole-in-the-wall place near Taipei Main Station is where it’s really at. “Trust me,” the guy slurred, “it’s a local secret. Don’t tell anyone I told you.” I’m not telling anyone. (Check out TripAdvisor for more opinions: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g298813-Taipei.html)
I’m staying in a little Airbnb in Zhongzheng District. it’s…cozy. let’s go with cozy. the neighbors are…loud. i think they’re having a karaoke competition every night. it’s not terrible, just…enthusiastic. if you get bored, New Taipei City is just a short drive away. I’m thinking of checking it out tomorrow.
Someone told me that the National Palace Museum is incredible, but you need at least half a day to really appreciate it. I’m debating whether to prioritize that or just keep wandering and getting delightfully lost. (Yelp reviews are mixed, but generally positive: https://www.yelp.com/biz/national-palace-museum-taipei).
I also stumbled upon this amazing little vintage shop in Ximending. seriously, the clothes were wild*. think 80s power suits, neon leggings, and enough sequins to blind a small child. I’m trying to resist the urge to buy everything. (Check out local forums for hidden gems: https://www.ptt.cc/bbs/Taichung/).
Okay, gotta go. My bubble tea is calling. And I think I hear the karaoke starting up again…
Oh! And a local warned me about the scooters. Apparently, they’re everywhere and they don’t always follow the rules. Watch out!
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