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So looking forward to it. Slowly winding things down at work. Hopefully it will be uneventful next week and I can kind of get into relaxation mode starting then. It’s been crazy this week.
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Here we go! Had a call to the US early this morning, went for a swim after that, and finished up work a while ago. Now just relaxing before I head to the train station. Got a nice bottle of Kilchoman single malt. Ready for some good food, time with family, movies, running, swimming (before the pools close), and drinking with bro-in-laws.
Great weather today but it looks to change on Sunday before things improve a few days after that. Happy year of the snake! Wood snake to be exact.
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Happy Schall von Bell New Year everyone. 2025 marks the 390th anniversary for the Schall von Bell calendar!
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In central Taipei City the traffic has been insane since mid-afternoon with drivers even more impatient than usual, honking their damn horns every 3 seconds. Could this cacophony be the discordant, symphonic prelude to the beginning of a few lower traffic, somewhat calmer days we have come to know and love during CNY as the city exodus begins? 
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Well the MRT was practically empty… until today.
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I didn’t mind the first few years and even thought the New Year’s mole was funny, but these days I would like to get rid of it, especially when I have to go to my wife’s parents’ house and meet up with her sisters and brother. At least in my wife’s family, everything is very boring and full of superstitions; the food is always the same, and people constantly ask you to eat more or tell you to eat a long vegetable, which is the most boring thing you can eat, or tell you to eat more because it brings luck, and then you have to play games just because it’s customary, etc.
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Sounds like my Greek cousin-in-law talking about Christmas with my family in Canada.
Everybody’s experience is different- mine is more like Marasan’s (minus the exercise).
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Tonight’s the big meal. We will be in the countryside barbecuing. Got a huge bottle of whisky from Costco for the brothers in law. Will be running soon in Hualien City (great weather today). Probably a nap after that. And then off to the countryside. I’m looking forward to it. I sometimes don’t so that’s good.
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Happy New Year dingalings!
Just got back today from overseas sunny and fresh in Taichung. Heading to the in-laws for some Hakka grub.
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I’ve been here since early morning - sticking up the annual spring couplets, burning ghost morning, etc. The old man is “lending” me a piece of land for me and the kids to grow veggies on. Just went to go check it out… exciting stuff!
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Stage one complete.
There is only two of us and the wife’s cold made a comeback, so it’s a quiet LNY.
Vietnam style rolls
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Was on my way to central Taiwan, and the weather was amazing. You could see snow capped mountai tops the whole way.
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The clear weather sure helps. Today was a beauty.
In the capital, things have finally chilled out, with denizens of the city rushing off to various other points across the island, or heading off on some international trip.
This holiday makes me reflective: 2025 / ROC104; New Year’s Day on January 1 / New Year’s Day on January 29. All of the above markers and traditions are imposed from elsewhere, not indigenous to this island.
Still I’ll take the peace-and-quiet for a few days. It’s a holiday I’ve learned to like.
Guy
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I no longer see much discernible difference between Lunar New Year and any other average day, in Taipei City anyway, other than a lot of places are closed. Was out and about last night and this morning when normally people would traditionally be at home. Traffic at the usual buzzy levels, people/crowds all over the place, horns, ambulances, noise, noise, noise! It’s even difficult to park for cryin’ out loud! Gone are the days when you could count on at least a couple of days of reduced hyperactivity, never mind the years when it used to be a ghost town for the whole holiday. Sigh! Ok, I got it off my chest. Time to brave the city again, back out for more. 新年快樂 everybody!
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I notice the same, but there do seem to be middle days during the long holiday when Taipei does get that quiet Sunday morning vibe.
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Some of the most spectacular views in Taiwan watching the continuously changing ocean and clouds above the mountains.
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Happy year of the snake people !!
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