Why, hello Toronto
I’ve just accepted a new job! For two months I’ll be at Toronto HQ before returning to work in Taipei. First impressions: major jetlag, amazing food options (customized burritos, great Thai food, 水煮鱼, and even kotu roti all within a few blocks), obsession with using mobile apps to order food (I’m looking at you, Ritual and Uber Eats), hover boards, … Read More
deep excavation
A new apartment building is being constructed across the street from our place, and from our balcony we can see everything that’s going on. I don’t know if it’s related to earthquake readiness, but I’ve noticed that many new buildings have at least 3 floors constructed below ground–and the building across from us is no exception. Never occurred to me before how … Read More
MRT public service announcement
This is a friendly reminder from the MRT, at the subway stop closest to where I live: “When something’s wrong… Defend yourself with what you can find.” I’m really not clear on what scenarios inspired this billboard, but it’s apparently something you can attack with your backpack or umbrella.
cursive coffee
Very small coffee bar that’s easy to miss with all the crowds at Q-Square Mall. It’s not a cheap place for coffee, but the care that they take in slowly hand-brewing your cup feels like a luxury. The woman at the counter allowed us to smell small samples of the beans they had on offer. I opted for the dark … Read More
nom nom restaurant
I have a few days of freedom (sans enfant!) so I thought I would see a little more of Taipei. (As an added bonus, I set up my youbike card, but more on that later.) I headed to check out the famous Yong Kang street, and in the neighbourhood I discovered some cute street art: There was even a little … Read More
Hello, Houston: We’re now in Taipei
New job, new apartment, new adventures ahead!
Jehovah’s Witnesses in Nairobi
The strangest thing, when shopping at Nakumatt Prestige, I’ve been approached several times by black people speaking to me in Chinese. The first time it happened I was so startled that I chatted with them back. They’re always Jehovah’s Witnesses (presumably learning mandarin in order to convert the many Chinese in Nairobi) who inevitably invite me to an event “all … Read More
Christmas in Nairobi
The weather is always great in Nairobi, so being 25 degrees every day makes me forget that it’s almost Christmas time. There are some tell-tale signs though, like the workers in Santa hats at Nakumatt: We live near the Junction Mall, and I saw them set up a Santa corner–but it was only now that I noticed his hours: a … Read More
asking for money
It doesn’t happen all the time, but as a foreigner you can expect to be approached for money when out on the street. For me it’s usually the same three kids living somewhere near my street–and my preferred response is to give them some bananas or other food, if I’ve just come from the store. Once, a man asked that I buy him a bag … Read More
rotary phone, anyone?
Whoever designed this ad has clearly never seen a real rotary phone. (I remember we had a black one when I was little.) And yes, KFC will deliver to your house–via motorbike!