I looked out the window and found a different, grayer, wetter Taipei. It was raining lightly. According to the newspaper there was a Tyhoon approaching Taiwan. Yes, it was a good thing I had gone to Tamshui yesterday.
At about noon I took the subway, and then a taxi, to the Taipei World Trade Center, which is an exhibition and convention center located near the 101 Tower. This was the second day of the Taipei International Travel Fair. I had read about it in the paper. When I entered the hall I realized that this was either a travel fair, or a noise festival. The sound level was incredible. Many of the booths and displays had loud music, or loud announcements, all competing with each other to be the loudest! I had been to travel fairs before in Miami, but this was unlike any of those. This was much more intense, energetic, and packed with people. There were many displays from various places in Taiwan, mainland China, and around the world--Hawaii, South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. And there was different entertainment every 30 minutes.
I watched the Phillipines and Thailand troupes perform. Both were very good and very professional. I was most interested in those two places, since I will soon visit them. I met Mrs. Gerosel Agravante-Siquian, the head of the local Phillipines tourism office, and Mrs. Chaiskran, the head of the Thailand performance group, called Sbun-nga, which is from Chang Mai. Mrs. Agravante joined many others who have suggested that I visit Boracay when I go to the Phillipines, and Mrs. Chaiskran hoped that I would be able to visit northwest Thailand and the city of Chang Mai. I hope I can visit these places also.
After about 3 hours of fighting the crowds I was getting tired, so I walked back to the subway station and went back to the hotel. I had wanted to go to the plaza at the CKS Memorial Hall, but the weather was not very nice, so I just relaxed, watched some movies, and later got a quick bite to eat. Tomorrow morning I must pack and get to the airport by about 10:30.
Go to Hong Kong Part Four