1. The Taiwanese seem to have a penchant for all kinds of games. There's this huge, sprawling section in the Shi Lin Night Market (士林夜市) where you will find all kinds of games possible. There's one that's like bingo, but it uses mahjong tiles and anybody can sit down and join the rest to play it at any time. There's another that involves trying to make an empty glass bottle, which is lying on the floor, stand. With the help of fishing rod thingie, that is.I was pulled in to play this game (above) where you choose 15 mahjong tiles that are placed face down. You then have to match them with the pictures on the chart in front of you. If you form a line vertically or horizontally, you win. And I won on the first try!!! Talk about beginner's luck. Heh. My prize: a xiao ding dang umbrella. Hahaha.
2. The Taiwanese' fav sport should be basketball. Everywhere you go in Taipei, as long as there's a semblance of game stalls around, you will see this basketball game (above). Slot some tokens in and you're ready to go. Shoot enough hoops within a certain time limit and you get to advance to the next stage. It's damn tiring.
3. The Taiwanese are either an innately curious bunch, or they are simply appreciative. People actually stay around long enough to watch free performances and that includes sitting down to listen to buskers sing and play. At 渔人码头, or Fisherman's Wharf (above), an elementary school's symphonic band was playing, while many onlookers hung around to watch. The band's teacher even introduced all the different instruments the kids were playing, by getting the various sections to perform a short piece each. Very educational one horkay! And I think you no need to drop any coins in for them!
4. People actually earn money by holding up signboards pointing the way to eateries! Like these chaps in 西门町, a place somewhat like Singapore's Bugis Village. Come rain or shine, they are there.
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