Saturday Night Ramblings

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Saturday evening rolled around and we were plan-less. Grabbing our helmets we decided to start the night by riding over to the 24 hour bookstore. Packed with Taiwanese, the bookstore serves the dual purpose of buying books and is a known “pick-up spot” for single people. Like a borders in the US, the bookstore was large and well stocked. Besides having an American and an English literature section, English language books were mixed in with Chinese throughout all the various genres. After taking a look at the literature section, I made my way to the front of the store which housed the travel section. It is a bit tricky making one’s way thru the store. Aisles are crowded and every few feet someone is sitting down reading a book, but they seem to be enjoying their Saturday night.

I picked up a book in the travel section called “Lonely Planet USA phrasebook” and randomly began flipping through. “Hey bitch” was the first phrase that caught my eye. They also gave definitions for the meaning of “Que pasa?!” – often used by college students and “Wassup”- ethnic dialogue, which is now used mainly among suburban youth. The book also lists common California, Midwest, skater, and trucker slang (like Ol’ Smokey for cops). I couldn’t help laughing of visions of a Taiwanese youth using the phrasebook to get around the US. Putting that book down, I picked up one of the huge hard cover lonely planet books that show pictures and give descriptions of every country in Asia. Taking a seat on the floor, I browse through the pictures of Arab countries and those on the Silk Road. There is so much of Asia I haven’t seen.

Outside on the bookstore’s sidewalk people sell handmade jewelry, bags, and knick knacks out of large display suitcases. Purchasing a tea from 7/11 we spent some time watching the people and the crazy outfits of those trying to be trendy. Skimpily dressed at the best of times, Taiwanese women love to flaunt their slim figures on Friday and Saturday nights, often wearing impossibly short skirts, halter tops, and high heels. Guys dressed up like skaters and a few women going for a Bohemian look also passed by. It’s a bit strange seeing all this after flipping through books showing women covered in embroidered burkas.

Next, we put our helmets back on and set out for the park. Near the entrance a loose dog started chasing the bike, startling me with its barking. Located next to the river, this long narrow park is a great place to people watch. We drove along the well lit road that runs parallel to the park and the river. On this typical Saturday night in Taipei, guys play catch, others compete in basketball game, a young couple surrounded by beer bottles get drunk, and many groups of people are BBQing and playing with sparklers. In one parking lot members of a car club (groups were everyone owns the exact same type of car) hovered around each other’s engines and examined the customized features of each car. Past this we found an empty lot under a bridge where I took over the motorcycle. Trying to improve my driving skills, I cruised the bike around the lot, inexpertly practiced shifting gears, and became more familiar with stopping the bike. Oh, and I stalled the bike again and again – woops! :P After half an hour three guys dressed in black rode their bikes over to the center of the lot. I was about done anyway, so we sat on the side of the lot and watched the guys practicing trick moves. Revving their engines, they did figure eights and loops while their knees (covered in a black plastic protector) slightly graze the ground. They were still practicing as we made our exit.