See if he nailed it. What did he miss? What did he get right? Photos later.
HIGHLIGHTS: In the last few years, Taipei – the sprawling metropolis of 2.6
million that is the capital of Taiwan – has leapt into modernity with a
panache that puts the casino moguls of Macao and the skyscraper-erectors of
Shanghai to shame.
People in Taipei are so obsessed with food that they won’t
leave the house without the promise of a dumpling or a plate of stinky dofu
(yes, it’s a real dish) at their destination.
I’ve been here for three days and I could never have experienced as much as this reporter claims to have done. Don’t they teach people about second hand sources in journalist schools these days?
It’s possible he lives here now and was doing the article as a freelance story for the Times or he might be based in Tokyo and hops over every once in a while. Ask him.
Where in the article did the writer suggest that he did all he wrote about in a few days? His approach was to give a snapshot of the city, not a day by day travel account. Listing mutliple venues makes sense when you are arguing for a city’s growth from backwater to cosmopolitan centre.
That said, I don’t think he lives here. No one who lives here can ignore the hideous state of most neighborhoods. Visitors can. Just like visitors to Bangkok or Beijing hardly notice the air quality when they’re only staying for a few days.
I’m always annoyed when writers don’t get that what makes this city very livable is the close access to nature: hiking and biking trails and hot springs. The shopping in the city is good but it’s nothing to fly over for. The food, yes, but not the shopping. And Taipei 101 is not the epitome of the city. That an absurb claim. It’s a tourist attraction. As a business centre it is failing.
This guy flew in, talked to people, had a good impression, and then left. I’m glad people are starting to talk more about this city and country but next time the Times should ask me to write.
Interesting. And I bet they were the ones to make this piece an article for all seasons. I’m curious who they think they are targetting. It seems like the sophisticated business or international traveller but really there are so many things they will not like about the city it is unethical not to mention them (pollution and ugly buildings for starters). Also, mentioning youth culture and where to go if you are a hip teenager is odd in a piece that also and mostly mentions top end restaurants, hotel and bars. What they hell does someone staying in a US200 a night hotel and pounding back bottle of scotch care about taike and Ximending and the indie music scene?
Also, has anyone been to Treasure Hill or the kitchy-sounding Taiwan Storyland (which I’m sure is a big hit with the boutique hotel crowd).
What about the most basic complaint non-Chinese speaking business visitors face in Taiwan? Try getting a taxi anywhere without being able to speak a bit of the language!
[quote=“Huang Guang Chen”]What about the most basic complaint non-Chinese speaking business visitors face in Taiwan? Try getting a taxi anywhere without being able to speak a bit of the language!
HG[/quote]Right. I am always hearing about how much better the “English-speaking environment” is in Taipei than other areas, but I’m not so sure. When my mum, my stepfather and I were in Taipei for a few days over Chinese New Year my ability to conduct basic communication in Mandarin made a big difference and things would have been much more complicated and difficult without.
This isn’t supposed to be a value judgement, but just a reflection that the “Taipei as an international tourist destination” concept is still somewhat optimistic.
A more Taiwan-specific view of history can be found at Taiwan Storyland, 50 Zhongxiao Road, Section 1, (886-2) 2388-7158; a typical small Taiwanese town circa 1965 recreated in the basement of the technology-focused K Mall. This is the “Made in Taiwan” era of yesteryear, with a doctor’s office, a classroom, a camera store, a general store, a cinema, a Black Cat bar, and of course, several restaurants. Entry for foreigners is 80 Taiwan dollars.
[quote=“Tempo Gain”]A more Taiwan-specific view of history can be found at Taiwan Storyland, 50 Zhongxiao Road, Section 1, (886-2) 2388-7158; a typical small Taiwanese town circa 1965 recreated in the basement of the technology-focused K Mall. This is the “Made in Taiwan” era of yesteryear, with a doctor’s office, a classroom, a camera store, a general store, a cinema, a Black Cat bar, and of course, several restaurants. Entry for foreigners is 80 Taiwan dollars.
where’s this?[/quote]
Basement of the Mitsukoshi Building across from the train station.
Looks like something taken out of Lonely Planet to me…but perhaps the short brief was not supposed to be in great detail.
I agree it’s a real shame the writer missed all the natural sights and sceneries which Taipei has to offer. Yangmingshan , Danshui, Bitan, Maokong, to name but a few. And what happened to the ancient temples like Lungshan or Xingtian? Most of it seems to be written for cash-filled, fashion-conscious yuppies (except perhaps the Martyr’s Shrine, which is definitely not the place to spend your time when it’s short).
Yes, often the editors back in the Home Office editing bureau in NEW YORK tell their reporters what they want to get, for the Times readers and for this kind of parachute urban story. They do it all the time with these kinds of travel stories. Just armchair reading for the folks back home.
Par for the course.
They SHOULD have hired MUCHMAn to write the story. Maybe next time. or better, yet, MM, write to the TIMES and suggest a story you can write. they do take freelance stuff.
[but the New York Times called Taiwan a country and let the writer get away with it? Wait till China hears of this: there goes the New York Times bureau in Beijing!]
[quote]Dishes from Sichuan province on the mainland are perennial favorites. The cutesy Kiki, 47 Alley 280, Guangfu South Road, (886-2) 2781-4250; offers exceptional renditions of Sichuan standards like fly’s head (no insects here
I think that the writer Matt Gross might be a reporter for the German News service, DPA, based in Taipei. I think i have seen his byline a few times. Maybe he does live here, but had to write that puff for the editors in New York who “ordered” the menu their way…
