24 HOUR LAY OVER IN TAIPEI (TPE)

My plan was to meet up with a friend in Taiwan.  However, my layover was on Lunar New Year and they were busy with family and friends with celebration.  So I was on my own. 

One of my plans was to go down to SHIN KONG MITSUKOSHI NEW LIFE SQUARE and watch the drummers Busking.  There is a drummers Instagram / You Tube channel I watch, and the Busk at the square often.  Today I was not so lucky as they were not there.  But there were quite a few people Busking, or performing for the crowds. 

I wasn’t sure where I was going.  It turned out to be a huge mall.  I used my stalking / sleuthing skills to picture the exact location they usually play.  I found it with ease, but they were not there.  Or I was too early and they play later at night.  Not sure, but sadly I didn’t see them. 

I arrived early around 9:00 AM.  It was empty.  later you will see the crowds of people that showed up. 

I would not help but to admire the architecture around the mall.  Not only was there Taipei 101, but there was also Tao Zhu Yin Yuan Apartment building.  I’ve seen many photos and post about this building which is beautiful.  But seeing it in person is just amazing. 

Between the morning and the afternoon visit to the square I stopped by a few other sites.  This one was Zhongshan Park.  The building with the yellow roof is Chongshan Lecture Hall.

I wandered some of the side streets as I headed back to the square. 

At the square, I watched many of the performers.  There was balancing acts, singers, musicians, dancers, magicians, pupeteers, animal lovers, artists and more. 

I walked up and down the 3-4 blocks looking for my drummer.  He wasn’t there.  So i built up an appetite.  I saw potatoes and theought I would give it a try.  Special Cheese potatoes. 

Towards the end of my walk, I stumbled upon this coffee shop.  There was a HUGE line to order coffee.  And then there was a line 3 times as long just to go inside and shop.  I have no idea how this coffee is, but I did not have the patience to wait.  I will put it on my list for next visit. 

On the train ride back to the airport, I couldn’t get over how clean this country is.  I noticed walking down town how clean it was.  As I’m riding the train back, I noticed cleanliness everywhere.  The countryside is also beautiful. 

Taiwan is a beautiful, clean, friendly country.  This was my third trip here, but I have laid over numerous times.  I want to spend a good week now, and travel around the island.  There are beaches, islands, rural and urban sites to see.