The Renaming - Part One

Depending upon your point of view, it was either long overdue, political grandstanding, justice finally observed or a complete sacrilege. Whatever you call it, the sun has finally and officially set on the former Chiang KaiShek Memorial Hall; now it is known, not just officially, but by the lettering on the entrance as the Taiwan Democracy Monument.

Taiwan being Taiwan, many were expecting a political clash upon the renaming. The truth is that organizers from both sides far far overestimated the movement on the grounds. The end result was that is was much ado over nothing, or at least very little. What started with a handful of protesters ended with a couple of handfuls of protesters and hundreds of police, soldiers and other crowd control folks. Without those there to keep order, nothing interesting would have come of it at all.

The protesters that showed up early were mostly there in singles or small groups; certainly there were not large mobs.

This guy seems quite put off that he is alone.
Maybe he was expecting his mates to be there to support him and their cause?

That's me in the corner.

Protesting is Lonely Business

Muddy Basin Ramblers CD Release Party

Taiwan's David Chen and the Muddy Basin Ramblers held their CD release party on Saturday November third at the Huashan Cultural Park in Taipei. I am happy I made it, as it was a completely enjoyable evening. The music was really well done and it is hard for me to imagine anyone who wouldn't enjoy listening to the live performance. Things were done in a really friendly, low key style and it just made for an enjoyable evening of jug band music and great socializing. Thanks to Michael Turton for letting me (and many others, I am sure) know about the show through his blog.

Here are some shots from the night:

*please click on the photos to be taken to a larger, better quality image.

The Band


David Chen

Tim Hogan



Will "Slim" Thelin



Connor Prunty



Sandy Murray






TC Lin

The UN Torch Relay

It was only by chance that I found out the UN For Taiwan Torch Rally was making its way back to Taipei. Although I had plans for later in the evening, a friend and I did make our way down to the area in front of the Presidential Building to see what was going on. Unfortunately, we had to hoof it before the torch arrived, so this post is not so much a documentary of the event as a collection of snapshots of things that caught my eye before going elsewhere.

Uniformed Security

Plainclothes Security

Interested Observer
(I have come across this guy multiple times at political events)

Say Yes to Taiwan
....you know the rest

Man in Tweed

There are always a lot of smokers at rallies. Dunno why.

Banners in the Background

As the Sun Goes Down

Holding Signs

Looking On

Part of the Crowd

Greens

Green With Glasses

Crowd Control

Happy

Not So Happy

Banner

Glowsticks

Watching and Waiting

November Breakfast Club Meeting

I meet most months with a very interesting group of English speakers here in Taipei. At these meetings, someone gives a speech or presentation to those assembled. This month it was Khedroob Thondup, who is an elected Member of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, the President of the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center and he is also the nephew of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.

Our Featured Speaker, Khendroob Thondup.

Mr. Thondup spoke with surprising (to me anyways) candor about his groups aims, experiences, negotiations with different governments and vision for the future. He spoke frankly about what Tibetans want, which is not quite the de facto independence from China that most Taiwanese desire, but autonomy and security within their region and their methods and goals for attainment. He also talked about direct negotiations with the Chinese government, as well as negotiations with the KMT and DPP governments here in Taiwan. He also spoke openly about the inevitability of succession of His Holiness and what affects that will have on his people.

I truly enjoyed listening and found Khedroob to be a gentlemanly, softspoken and

peaceful, while at the same time being absolutely resolute and firm within his vision. An impressive gentleman for sure.

Now, for some of the members of our breakfast club.

Dr. Jerome Keating
Author, university professor and commentator on Taiwan.
Jerome organizes the monthly meetings.



Michael Turton
University professor, PhD student and a very well known blogger in Taiwan.
Michael seems to fit 30 hours into his days.


Syd Goldsmith
Syd is an author (check out his book, Jade Phoenix) and ex diplomat,
along with many other accomplishments from his tenure in Taiwan.


Linda Arrigo
Linda is an icon in Taiwan; very well known and respected.


David Reid
Master's student, teacher and a well known blogger


Ryszard
Ryszard (Richard) is originally from Poland; a really bright and friendly guy

Typhoon Krosa

Typhoon Krosa hit Northern Taiwan pretty hard on October sixth, 2007. In my five years in Taiwan, it was by far the most intense storm I have seen. Actually, it was one of the only typhoons I have experienced where I think the decision to shut down schools, government buildings and many others was justified. Heavy winds and lots of rain made for a lot some excitement on the streets and lots of broken umbrellas.

*click on the photos for a bigger, better looking image.

On the run.


Fighting the wind.


Last moments of an umbrella.


See Through

About to stumble.

We go....NOW!

One less 'brella.