Tainan

Tainan was once the old capital of Taiwan and it is also full of many well preserved temples. We took the train up from Kaohsiung and it only takes about an hour. A very different feel to Tainan - it feels like a small arty city. We visited a great little lane opposiste the Confucian temple and there was a community art Gallery and the resident Artist / Gallery person spoke english and he explained the exhibition to us - it was on the theme of Confucianism. Very much like any small gallery off Brunswick St both in location and physical feel and also in the artworks hanging. While haveing a coffee on the lane the grabage truck came through with loudspeakers blaring giving english lessons!(with obligatory USA accent) Most Taiwan garbage trucks have a little tune on loudspeakers something like a music box tune.

Seems a very friendly place. One guy showed us around a temple for 30 minutes he was just a tourist himself and spoke no english- didnt stop him talking and explaining non stop. Luckily Bridget could pick up a few words here and there.

Music surprise:
Tom Waits on radio in a small food cafe ona laid back kind of jazz radio station playing Taiwanese jazz ( I think). Biggest surprise - small bubble cup type street stall - music - instrumental version of CARRICKFERGUS! - couldnt recognise it at first - sounded very chinese.

Highlight:
Guy in workshop that makes traditinal hangings and weavings for temples told me I looked like James Bond - he was jumpimg around shop shooting and laughing and had to write on a bit of paper - 007.