Actually, yesterday I was out to look for computers, so we went to a pretty famous place for everything electronics related. Perhaps I will write some about that place someday soon, because I didn't get my computer just yet.
Because, today I am going to write a little about another place that I went to, after I gave up for now about the computer. Actually I just went there to eat, but I took a bunch of pictures too, because it's one of the most popular places in Taipei. A consumerist paradise, if you're the right kind of person.
This is called Sogo, which is actually not the name of just this one building, but a whole chain of big shopping centers like this. The others are, however, not exactly as gigantic as this one.
Now, my big interest is not really to shop for clothes, perfumes or accessories for elegant office ladies, so actually I didn't do anything than going to the basement where the food court is. (You ask how I manage not to get fat? Honestly, I have no idea.)
So down in the food court is full of restaurants and little stands, so that you can shop around for almost any food you like, especially if you're a japanese tourist who just spent a lot of money on the stuff upstairs. Then, when you order food, you get a little machine, that will vibrate and light up, when the food is ready to be served. Then you just go and turn the machine in to get your stuff. Neat. (As you can see, mine is already done.)
A solid meal, I must say, and maybe we're in a fancy hi-tech restaurant in the middle of Asia's backup consumerism stronghold. But actually, this is not too expensive: 195 NT$, which is around 6 US$ or 31 DKK for a filling meal of steak, egg, salad, spaghetti and soup (underneath the bread).
The view in one direction from where I sat. Wont put up more than this though, have to make space for other pics.
Remnants from the Deaflympics - world olympics for deaf athletes, which ended just a few days ago. Seems like nobody really cared much about it even though Taiwan made an attempt to make it like a smaller version of the Beijing 2008 Olympics. However, all that I've seen to it, is advertisements, sponsored sportsdrinks for schoolkids and minor hordes of deaf people from all around the world occasionally flocking the MRT or shopping around.
This shopping center even has an MRT station integrated. Do you get a picture of how much wealth and influence went into building this citadel? And even more important, how powerful an institution in the mass consumerism society that this is?
So, I took pictures of other stuff than that center I ate at. This one is just to show, that Taipei doesn't have any problem with competing with NY and Tokyo about pulsating and lights-filled downtowns.
Okay. I didn't take too much. Hopefully some other day when I know my way around the city better, I can provide with some more hardcore metropol downtown material from here. But you know... This place is not all. The downtown extravaganza can be found not just in the east part of downtown like here, but also a just as famous place, Ximen has a lot of fancy consumerism buldings and overloads of advertisements, chromed building designs and lights. Ximen is in opposition to this place located west to the center of Taipei and aimed at younger people. It is also not more than 3 MRT stations away from my school, so not unlikely will I spend a lot of time there in the future I think.
Untill then, may you have great success with your job and economy or school, so that you can maybe one day afford / get sponsored to come enjoy yourself in Asian metropolises like me.
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