Edward Carter's TRAVELS: A Postcard from Taipei, Taiwan

Ted in Taipei 2.JPG

Dateline: Taipei

I am a frequent visitor to Taipei. I think the Taiwanese people are some of the most polite, best brought-up, and sincerely friendly people in the world.

Taipei seems to have more youth than any other city in the world, and all are cramming for high marks in school. They also have an amazing respect for their parents and, unlike many, pay them back for all the expenses incurred in raising and educating them, and usually live at home until married.

My favorite hotel is the YMCA International Guest House near the main train station and behind what used to be The Hilton. The spotless rooms are just over $US50 per night and the service is very friendly. May, one of the reception staff, is especially nice.

I came here for the first time in the spring of 2002, having stayed in different hotels on each previous trip. As a member of the Board of the Vanderbilt YMCA in New York City (and the Volunteer of the Year for 2001), I was given a warm welcome and shown to a large room in the back; very quiet and dark.

The next morning, I asked if I could be moved to a room with more light as I was going to be in and out for almost two months. When I came back from lunch, I was handed the key to my new room--911!

I live one block from New York's World Trade Center site and was there that morning. When the first building collapsed, my building swayed. I ran out the back door, and was evacuated for 3 months. You can imagine my reaction at seeing the key to 911.

Actually 911 is a delight, with a terrace where I can work on my tan line, or toast the moon.

There is a good franchise restaurant on the premises, and an “Internet Room” with 20 computers available for Internet connection at $US1 per hour.

My favorite restaurants:

Le Bistro de L’Olivier, 145 An-Ho Road, Sec. 2, tel: 8732 3726. Reliable and excellent Burgundian food in a romantic setting near the Far Eastern Plaza Hotel. US$65 each with wine.

Auberge de France, 210-1 Szewei Road, tel: 2784 0588. Serious French fare from an owner who lived in France for years. $US70 each with wine.

Kao’s Snack Collection, tel: 2341 9971. Bright and bustling Taiwanese restaurant that is famous for its noodles and dumplings since 1950. US$25 each for a feast!

A simple café:

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Please email me your travel tales, "postcards," and questions. I'll publish the most interesting, appropriate or outrageous in Correspondence - All the best, Ted (short for Edward)