road rage and air raid drills

We witnessed road rage in Taiwan first hand today. After I disregarded Erin’s suggestion we keep going in one direction, we instead took another route and got lost in Taipei this afternoon. We got extremely lost in Taipei, in 90-degree weather. We were on our way to my schools headquarters where I was to go and fill out paper work and get a physical for my employment. After following some misleading directions and venturing off into a totally opposite direction of where we wanted to be, we hailed a cab. We told the cab driver where to go through the helpful guidance of my director, and off we went. Weaving in and out of traffic, not obeying traffic lights, and disregarding pedestrians, we were well on our way to our destination. As our driver was attempting to pass a bus, it started to ease over into our lane. Closer and closer it was coming, with a cement wall running along the other side of us, we were soon to be pinned between the two. As Erin and I nervously watched, the bus came within mere inches of sandwiching us. Thanks to the delayed decision making of the driver to finally hit the freakin brakes, we avoided being drilled by the bus. We let out a sigh of relief after looking at each other when all of a sudden we found the ordeal was not over. After avoiding being sideswiped, our disgruntled cab driver felt the need to let the bus driver know just how bad of a driver he actually was. We found ourselves face to face with the bus when our driver pulled up right next to it and rolled down the passenger window, yelling out what I only assume were swear words and put-downs. Maybe he was just asking directions, who knows really? I haven’t quite got the language down yet. Then our cab cuts in front of the bus and brakes. After driving in front of the bus at almost idle speed for a few minutes the driver must’ve realized he was still carrying passengers and decided to get back on track. All the while we had to keep ourselves from laughing out loud only able to communicate through wide-eyed facial expressions. It was a funny little twist in our day, however I have to say I was a little disappointed because I was totally hoping the drivers were gonna exit the vehicles and throw some fist to cuffs. I for sure would’ve given ours a bigger tip.

Air Raid Drills
We were sitting in the office of my school in Taipei when I was informed of a drill that would be taking place for a half hour. Apparently once or twice a year Taiwan’s government announces a nationwide drill that would be practiced in the event that China tries to attack the country. An Air Raid drill shuts down the entire country for a half hour and no one is allowed on the streets. Drivers must pull off to the side of the road and sit in their cars, pedestrians must take shelter in the nearest home or business, and anyone inside must remain there until the siren is heard. Looking outside reminds you of Last Man on Earth or I Am Legend, as the city is literally empty. It was kinda funny to witness and actually be a part of it (it sounds bad to say it was funny but the people here don’t really take it too seriously either). I was amazed that they had to do this, I guess I didn’t realize how serious the Taiwan-China conflict really is.