Opened in late 2003, Taipei's 101 is currently the tallest buidling in the world.

Ongoing redevelopment in Taipei.

Subway station. Taipei.

On the subway.

Taipei

Taipei's West Gate, I believe. Name derived from the area's Western style commerce...

New and old...

West Gate

Taking a shot of one of the many shops that line the West Gate area...no doors, no walls, and the sales gal was kind enough to pose...

Street scene in West Gate area...

A store dedicated to Doraemon paraphernalia. Doraemon, an animated robotic cat, is one of Japan's more famouse cultural exports throughout Asia...

Signs...branching off West Gate area.

They wear helmuts in Taiwan, a safety measure ignored in large parts of Asia, particularly Southeast Asia.

Conspicuous add for a seafood restaurant, I think...

Whether originally from the mainland or indigenous Taiwanese, these guys have likely witnessed their fare share of struggle….civil war in China, or civil conflict in Taiwan. Japanese occupation either way, and martial law during the Chiang Kai-shek era, all the while, creating one of Asia's more politically and economically dynamic countries…

Karaoke club...West Gate

Before and after cosmetic surgery, although there is question if the photos are of the same girl...

West Gate

Shoppers crowding the streets...

West Gate

Outdoor fruit vendor...

West Gate

Photo is blurry, but it's potstickers, just can't toss photo out...

West Gate

Selling the wares. Many illegal street vendors operate in the narrow lanes of West Gate. When the police come, someone gives the heads up, and the vendors, pushing their wheeled carts, scatter like cockroaches...

Interview of Seven Flowers, Taiwan's newest pop sensation...maybe. There is only four of them, so I don't know where the seven comes from...

I did find the following on the web:

"Seven Flowers is an anti-hypertensive Chinese herbal formula that may nutritionally help lower blood pressure, lower lipid and cholesterol levels, and have a calming effect on the body, without the usual side effects. Many people have found great relief with Seven Flowers. They sleep better, live calmer and relate to stress better. This rare, all natural flower extract formula triggers mechanisms which mobilize the body's own biochemical makeup. It contains a proprietary blend of: Black Moss, Chrysanthemum, Honeysuckle, Radix Notoginseng, Sophora Japonica, Prunella Vulgaris and Cleistocalyx Operculatus."

Standing room only at Ay-chung's noodle shop, which, according to James, is one of the better noodle joints in Taipei...

West Gate.

Outside West Gate...

Traditional candied apples...

Taipei

Interesting contrast...

Taipei

Taipei

Food corner restaurant in the basement of some department store, if I recall...

Taipei

While I Taipei, James' new in-laws were generous enough to provide me with comfortable accomdations. Numerous Chinese antiques and artifacts filled the home...this being Buddha overlooking the couch...

This and remaining photos taken near the in-laws....

Idle vending accoutrements...

God bless Dominos Pizza's attempt at world domination...

A nearby park. The folks up ahead were elementary school students and teachers dressed up in their best Halloween garb...

Typical street view...

Preparing for the day...