Ian Wright was tripping in Taipei - 'the luckiest bastard in the world'

Over the past decade, Ian Wright -- the cheeky English presenter of the hugely popular travel programs, "Globe Trekker" and "Lonely Planet" -- has become one of the most recognizable faces on TV. And nowhere more so than in Taiwan, where his cheeky chic has turned him into one of the region's most unlikely superstars.
When asked how does he feel about his job, he answered: "I ain't complaining. In fact, I'm the luckiest bastard in the world and it's better than working for a living"

Acha que Lisboa tem um transito infernal?

pense duas vezes, pois poderia ser pior se vivesse na Cidade do Mexico...


photo by EPA published in Taipei Times

More than 1,500 unauthorized but tolerated taxis line up at Mexico City's main square during celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of the organization Francisco Villa Popular Front (FPFV), the association the country's taxi drivers belong to, on Saturday. Almost 6,000 people attended the rally.

Badly trained police intervenes / disturbs

Choice #1 - Ruining parties and raising questions about the continued viability of cultural and entertainment events…
The annual party weekend in Kenting took place with all the revelry and police intervention that by now are expected
Over 30 arrests for drug possession at parties in Kenting over the weekend and an alleged assault by a police officer on a DJ ruined the party for some and raised questions about the continued viability of the annual event given the heavy-handed policing.There were two arrests on Friday, but one offender got away, and 30 on Saturday night, mostly after 12pm when officers from Kenting, Hengchun, Pingtung and other areas raided parties taking place around the resort town. Plainclothes officers were also drafted for the operation.

For those who didn't get arrested it was a party-filled weekend. The weather was kind, despite forecasts of rain, with an early afternoon shower early on Saturday, clear weather afterward, and bright blue skies on Sunday. The atmosphere was generally relaxed and most people went on hikes, surfed or played watersports at nearby Nanwan beach when they weren't clubbing, or snacking on the main street and buying trinkets.
The free Love Shuttle event, on an 18-wheeler truck, was a success, as were the free parties on three nearby beaches, even if one called Moonlight was buffeted by wind on Friday and by police the next night.
The Love Parade through town with DJs @llen and Chozie was the best event. Their truck had, arguably, the best music and it was followed by another van packed with women dancing so enthusiastically that the vehicle shook to the ground and bounced up off its axel. That was followed by a "Dominatrix" on stilts wearing a skin-tight black suit, with studs, and a curved dildo so big it frightened everyone.

The original Spring Scream arts-music festival in the hills outside Kenting held its 10th birthday with a charming evening that peaked with Dynamite, from New York. They were led by the energetic Kitano, who is Japanese and was happy to strip to his underwear and then roll in the mud, still playing and singing. The Ilan-based foreigner trio Daymakers as a rhythm section are great, but they were even better with a frontman, in this case a woman in a small black dress who didn't sing but danced really well. I also liked the innovative DDDAO, two guys from Japan who make sounds with one PDA and a mic.
No arrests were made at Spring Scream, which finished every night for the past nine days at midnight. Spring Scream co-founder Jimmy Moe said he was saddened, but not surprised, that there had been trouble at the other, predominantly dance-music and hip-hop events that took place.
"The police have been here eight to 10 days, about 20 to 30 of them all in all. We don't mind. We want everything safe. At midnight we close and they run off to arrest the baddies," Moe said.
"It's too bad that our Spring Scream name has been expanded to cover the whole weekend. Yes, it's a great name, but a shame that it has become associated with raves and busts and stuff like that. We worked for 10 years to develop a live music and arts festival in Kenting and what should be called the `spring break weekend' has come to be known as the `Spring Scream weekend.'"
About 1,500 people were at Spring Scream on Saturday night and about 5,000 people attended the other events over the weekend.

This was less than previous years and there were vacancies at some hotels.

On Friday night, four events that were given permits were raided and a Kenting police officer said there was one arrest and one other incident, but the suspect escaped.
Soon after the Love Shuttle party finished without incident at midnight Friday, a DJ was allegedly put up against a wall and hit by police.
Wu Pei-hao, aka DJ Vertigo, was allegedly held by police and then forearmed in the neck during a search of his hotel room.
Police in Kenting confirmed that a formal complaint of an assault by police had been made. They also confirmed police had conducted a search of a motel room, but said the search had been legal as there was suspicion of drug possession. They denied there was any violence, and said there was no evidence of this.
Wu said three friends witnessed the attack. "I went to my room to put away my records when about 15 police officers showed up. They just treated me in like a gangster style, they just pushed me around," he said.
"Then two guys put me up against the wall, and as they held me, one hit me with his arm. It hurt. They held my friend too. They checked all my things and even the garden. They didn't find anything, so they went away."
Love Shuttle promoter Alan Hsia said the attack happened when police had called him down to the lobby of the motel and warned him against running another party.
"They bum rushed his [Wu's] room when they were talking to me They were very threatening. We started to take pictures of the cops. They said it was not permitted," Hsia said.
When asked about the alleged assault, a Kenting police officer surnamed Hsu said: "This case has been dealt with." He denied any assault by police officers.
He also said the Love Shuttle party was illegal, as it had no permit and this was why the promoter and DJ were warned not to go ahead with another event.
Hsia said there had been an agreement for the event to go ahead.
Yesterday morning Hengchun police reported 30 arrests the previous night for drug possession, including cannabis, ketamine, MDMA and "date-rape drugs" similar to rohypnol.
At the Hengchun police station, two cardboard boxes containing over 60 urine sample jars, with a thumbprint and details on each could be seen. One foreign national who was being detained in a room was told he had to submit to a urine test. While he was waiting for a translator he said, "Isn't this against human rights?"
Police at the station said the 30 cases were being processed quickly, as the law stipulated they could not hold the suspects longer than 16 hours.
By Jules Quartly - Taipei Times

Choice #2 - Running out of patience with the protesters

Police began to break up the crowd of about 1,200 at about 1:30 am yesterday. The move came after the crowd was warned five times to leave and protesters trampled security fences outside the Presidential Office.
"Since it was the Taipei Police Bureau which approved the rally, I think it is also up to the bureau whether to cancel the rally."- said Ma Ying-jeou, Taipei mayor.
After Chungcheng First Precinct Chief Wu Su-lu (吳思陸) gave the order, nearly 1,500 police officers equipped with helmets and shields pushed forward, clashing with the crowd, which threw bottles, flagpoles and traffic signs at police.
The police carried or dragged away people who refused to leave the scene. About 15 people and three police officers suffered injuries and about 150 people were arrested.
Some of those who fled to the Chinese Nationalist Party's (KMT) headquarters were also arrested. Most of them were released after interrogation.
Unlike when police dispersed a crowd on March 28, police appeared to be running out of patience with the protesters yesterday morning and shouted back at those trying to provoke them.
Ma said he felt sorry to see protesters and police injured. He said the bloodshed was the result of protesters who were not organized, adding the situation was more complicated than at the rally the week before.
"We are still unclear about who caused the turmoil. But it was fortunate that only a few people were hurt and their injuries were not serious," he said.
Ma said he asked police to use shields and batons to disperse the crowd rather than water cannons, because water cannons would have led to a more severe outcome.
By Jewel Huang - Taipei Times

Tripping in Taiwan this weekend – Spring Scream and much, much more...

While some will be protesting and counter protesting over lost cases, the exciting and cheerful ones will be partying big time!!!
Have a look of what Taiwan has to offer you this weekend:

Choice # 1
The Spring Scream weekend in Kenting (Taiwan) begins today

Though it gave its name to the weekend, the Spring Scream arts-music festival is by now almost incidental to the events it has spawned in Kenting, where parties on the beach and other dance-music events draw tens of thousands of young people for three days of fun that scandalize the nation.
The rave parties began four years ago with the first Moonlight party on Dawan beach and grew exponentially in scale the next year, when local and national promoters tried to capitalize on a cash business in a good location. It was perfect weather, there were many good parties, arrests, a drowning and livid coverage in the media. Breathless reporting about drugs, women in skimpy bathing suits, foreigners, gangsters and raids guaranteed coverage on the news at six, in popular dailies and the weekly Next Magazine.
DJ Victor, one of Taiwan's most respected DJs, said there was a problem with the perception of the Spring Scream weekend's associated events, which he said had become an important festival for young Taiwanese.
In a first for the town, there will be a "Kenting Freedom Parade" that intends to"break the wall of people's misunderstanding toward electronic dance music," according to DJ @llen. Chozie, Victor, Dark, Saucey and JJ will perform on a huge truck called the "Lovemobile." It's a free party down Kenting Road on Friday and Saturday afternoons until midnight.
Another good bet will be "Free for Fun," held on Baishan beach, 15 minutes from Kenting, on Friday and Saturday, from 2pm to 10pm, with DJs @llen, Dark, Victor and DJ. The organizer DJ Dark said it would be a free event (with voluntary donation to clean up beach), "because this is a vacation for me, to spend money."
"Love Shuttle" -- which features a converted 18-wheeler truck that unfolds, with the depression of one button, into a full size stage -- has managed to take the prime spot on Dawan beach in Kenting, from 3pm to 12pm. It starts Friday with DJ Noodle and Bigz, plus open mic MC battles, followed by Taipei-based DJs K Fancy, Em and Trouble. Also appearing will be the VoodooTech Crew, Cliff Vermette (the future sound of 2nd Floor), Freak Dudes, Spunite Production Crew, Connect Crew, DJ Reason, DJ Xiao Hei and live vocals from Angie and Marco.
Taichung DJs JJ and Tom, along with A100, Papillon, @llen and Saucey will be at B3, on the main street (#233-1), 10pm to 6am, NT$500 plus drink.
"Moonlight" will be back on the grounds opposite Dawan beach for the late night parties on Friday and Saturday, with most of the 2nd Floor and Luxy DJs, along with a few locals. Starting at 5pm and ending at 5am both nights. Expect to hear DJ Chono, Zero, @kira, @llen, Choyce Kutz & Dr. Who, among others.
There will also be "private parties" that are not going to be advertised, some in clubs, restaurants, bars and hotels, others at local beaches. Keep your eyes and ears open.
The Vinyl Word: Go with the flow.
For more details about the program clique here


Choice # 2
The GREEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (The GIFT)

The Boy Who Plays on the Buddhas of Bamiyan, by Phil Grabsky, is a touching movie following the life of a little boy in Afghanistan.
For those who enjoy seeing films not just for entertainment but also for a deeper picture of the world, Green International Film Festival (GIFT, 宜蘭國際綠色影展) offers some movie treats.
The festival starts in Ilan this weekend, through to April 9. It features 30 local and international films about environmental protection, ecology and rethinking of globalization. The solid program and free admission to the festival makes the trip to Ilan worthwhile.
For more details about the program clique here


Choice # 3
Same-sex comedy gives Taiwanese movies a lift: “Formula 17”
Directed by: Chen Yin-jung (陳映蓉)
Starring: Tony Yang (楊佑寧), Duncan, King Chin (金勤), Dada Liu (季宏全), Jimmy Yang (楊俊明), Jason, Chang (張大鏞)
Running time: 90 minutes
Taiwan Release: today
Language: Mandarin with Chinese subtitles

The Morning after: Tien (left, Tony Yang) is attracted to playboy Pai (Duncan) in the Taiwanese movie Formula 17

If Taiwan's abundant TV soap operas have finally achieved something it is that they have helped create pretty-faced pop idols for the movie Formula 17 (十七歲的天空). And some of them have the potential to become movie stars.

Formula 17 can be seen as one of those rare finds, not only because it is a gay romantic comedy, but it is also one of the few Taiwanese movies that discards the "tradition" of social realism. It is a commercial drama, sugar-coated with good-looking actors, bright colors, designer fashions and furniture. The movie does not intend to delve into deeper meaning about society or human feelings, as many other Taiwanese filmmakers try to do. As pure entertainment, it is indeed a different breed of Taiwanese movie.

Tien (Tony Yang, 楊佑寧) is a naive 17 year-old boy from southern Taiwan and goes to Taipei in search of his dream lover. He stays with his high school friend Yu (King Chin, 金勤), a popular DJ at a gay bar.
Under the instruction of Yu and his campy friends, Tien learns to dress up and tries a few blind dates. He meets Pai (Duncan), the most chased (gay) bachelor in town and immediately falls for him. But Tien's "sisters" all advise him to stay away from this dangerous attraction, for Pai is a well-known playboy who, unlike the naive Tien, does not believe in love.

Formula 17 is surely trying to create a gay utopian vision of Taipei where there are no women, no heterosexual men, only pretty-looking or muscular gay men in bars, fashion stores or men's gyms. The underlying theme is love and believing in love.

In contrast to many Western gay movies such as The Birdcage or The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, there are no mentions of drag queens or transvestite phenomena, though there are some characters who have exaggerated camp qualities.

The scriptwriter of the movie tries hard, sometimes too hard, to be funny. There are plenty of jokes, but the film director isn't quite able to pull them off. In some of the scenes, the actors look as if they are reading the lines instead of acting.

Fortunately, the good casting and good performances have saved the movie. Tony Yang, Duncan and three actors playing the gay roles have done decent jobs, especially Yang, who shows a different side to his TV drama work. After Formula 17, he could be taking up roles in bigger movies.

Review by By Yu Sen-lun, Taipei Times, 02 April 2003


Choice # 4
The second International Theatre Festival with its theme of the spoken word continues this weekend, when local troupe Tainan Jen Theatre treats audiences to its colorful Taiwanese-language adaptation of Samuel Beckett's Endgame at the CKS Cultural Center's Experimental Theatre (Taipei).

Tainan Jen Theatre will perform a Taiwanese-language adaptation of Samuel Beckett's play, Endgame, as part of the International Theatre Festival at the Experimental Theatre this weekend.
For more details about the program clique here.


Choice # 5
Protesting at Chiang Kaishek Memorial…

The pan-blue alliance yesterday said that it will hold another rally at CKS Memorial Hall tomorrow. The rally could attract as many as 50,000 people, the event's organizers said.
The rally is intended to "show the people's will," since the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) disagreed with the pan-blues request to establish special laws regarding the assassination attempt on President Chen Shui-bian.

Ok, there is plenty to choose from, I already made it up my mind... so see you next week after recovery.
Have a great weekend!

Child exploitation or education?

On my way to work around 7:00 am, the streets of Tainan City are almost empty. The only visible traffic is the kids riding their bicycles and parents driving their scooters, all converging to a specific location – a nearby school.
When you pass by one of these schools, at these early hours of the day and while the city is still half asleep, you can see Taiwanese kids busy cleaning their school yards.
In all Taiwan schools, the kids clean their school before attending classes.
It is amazing how these young kids seem so concentrated and committed to what they are doing and with no apparent supervision.
Here, discipline is learned at a young age and kids get to understand that hard work is necessary to achieve goals.
In some countries this would be considered child labor exploitation, in Taiwan it’s called "labor education" and is said to build character.
Perhaps western countries should adopt this education technique. I have this feeling that it would do wonders to correct spoiled kids’ behaviors!!!

Humor Iberico

hehehehe.... esta foi tirada do blogo social portugues.
uma mudanca para melhor e' sempre bem vinda... mas sera que nao haja um candidato melhor que um Ferro?
Tenho a impressao que esse senhor nao tem perfil adequado ao lugar que ocupa e que Portugal precisava de alguem com perfil de um Zapatero...

Update da Formosa

Esperando que os votos se contem novamente.....zzz....zzz....zzz

Waiting for the votes to be recounted.....zzz....zzz....zzz

Paixao Cigana....

Joaquín Cortés, no seu melhor!

Dia 26/03/04, foi sexta feira de paixao em Taiwan.

A tal polemica obra cinematografica, foi finalmente legendada em chines e lancada no mundo sino.
A opiniao do Boss e sobretudo o facto do papa ter gostado e 'aprovado', eram indicios fortes para eu achar que deveria haver algo de desagradavel neste filme.
Apesar dos pressagios, tinha duvidas e curiosidade e achei que deveria ir ver para poder formular a minha opiniao.
Um filme e' uma obra de arte, e como tal e' uma forma de expressao do artista marcada pelo que vai na sua alma.
Durante o filme ate me esqueci que o filme abordava a "paixao de cristo", pois deu-me a impressao que o papel principal era a tortura sadica, gratuita e desnecessaria....
No fim, fiquei com a impressao que o artista tem algo de sadico e doentio.
E' caso para dizer, Meu Deus, perdoa o Mel que ele nao sabe o que faz!

E como tento sempre procurar um lado positivo: gostei da representacao de Maia Morgenstern, da beleza da Monica Belluccida e da cor dos olhos do James Caviezel!

Tripping in Tibet - Part II

Smiles from Tibet

E depois do adeus...

A policia de choque de Taipei conseguiu "limpar" a avenida em frente ao palacio presidencial, com estrategias de contra-ataque pacificas a que eu chamaria "avancando lentamente em massa":


E agora? agora o povo delegou os seus requesitos aos politicos.
Representantes do presidente Chen Shui-bian e do lider da oposicao (KMT) Lien Chan) reuniram-se ontem para acordar accoes a tomar.
Ambas as partes concordaram em:
- Proceder a uma investigacao independente, do atentado ao presidente.
- Recontagem dos votos.
Ainda nao se conhece quando estes acordos serao postos em pratica.

Para tras fica a nostalgia da euforia vivida restando o silencio e o vazio da espera:

A Primavera de P... P... Pequim

A primavera tambem ja chegou 'a China.

Afinal enganei-me...

... sim e' possivel fazer a reportagem das manifestacoes em Taipei, sem fotografar a bandeira de Taiwan...
O jornal Chines Peoples Daily conseguiu a proeza:



e o jornal tambem Chines China Daily nao se portou mal, apesar de... bem enfim... e' so uma manchita vermelha, que ate' convem... deu para publicar!


desculpem la' o cepticismo do post anterior... afinal nao sou jornalista e isto de enformar tem muito que se lhe diga!

Same reality, different interpretation.

In Hong Kong, today's South China Morning Post reads:
Democratic reform for 2007 'still possible'
Beijing is likely to rule that changes are possible to the chief executive election in 2007 when the National People's Congress Standing Committee meets this week to interpret key electoral provisions of the Basic Law.

In Taiwan, Taipei Times reads:
Beijing `crushes' HK's democracy
Beijing's plan to dictate policy on political reform in Hong Kong will stifle the push for democracy and undermine the territory's rule of law, critics charged.

And in Beijing, the China Daily reads:
Interpretation of Basic Law in HK's interest
Stephen Lam, Hong Kong's secretary for Constitutional Affairs, said on Saturday that China's top legislature's interpretation of the Basic Law will not harm either the implementation of "one country, two systems" or a high degree of autonomy in Hong Kong.

It's all about politics and its all about how 'they' want you to see the world.
Be aware that the media can be the big brother's tools.
An independent thinker.

Crise Politica em Taiwan....

Uma semana apos as eleicoes presidenciais, o povo de Taiwan continua a exigir a recontagem dos votos e a investigacao do atentado sofrido pelo presidente Chen Shui-bian e vice presidente Annette Lu. A especulacao e' imensa e ha quem chegue a dizer que o atentado foi uma encenacao para conseguir votos de simpatia.


Sabado, 27/03/04, os protextos contra os acontecimentos do fim de semana passado culminaram com uma manifestacao de mais de 500 mil pessoas em frente ao palacio presidencial em Taipei.
(Aqui entre nos, parece que os media na China foram avisados para nao publicarem imagens dos acontecimentos em Taiwan, onde a bandeira de Taiwan fosse visivel - missao quase impossivel)




Domingo, 27/03/04 de manha, o presidente Chen Shui-bian finalmente decide falar para os media e anuncia que aceita o dialogo com o representante da oposicao bem como a recontagem dos votos, mas que a sua paciencia tem limites...

...e por isso ordenou 'a multidao que abandonassem a zona em frente ao palacio, caso contrario iriam ser sujeitas a acao de forcas de intervencao (policia de choque).

E assim foi, os que nao sairam voluntariamente, foram arrastados do recinto. Tirando alguns episodios de histerismos e violencia pessoal e atendendo ao numero de pessoas que ai se encontravam, a evacuacao do recinto deu-se em ambiente considerado calmo.
Os manifestantes nao desistem da sua causa, afastam-se do palacio presidencial mas reagrupam-se e re-instalam-se junto ao monumento de Chiang Kaishek Memorial:


Hoje, segunda feira, 29/03/04, Taiwan aguarda com espectativa, os resultados do encontro entre o presidente Chen Shui-bian e o lider da oposicao (KMT) Lien Chan.


Para mais informacao sobre o assunto "Eleicoes em Taiwan" ver esta edicao da time magazine.



Para mais informacao sobre Taiwan clique aqui.

Tripping in Tibet

Potala in Lhasa, Tibet


On the way out of Lhasa


Tibet

Ja ouviram hip hop em chines?

Banda de Hip-Hop de Taiwan, MACHI
Taiwan's Machi pose-down for photographers upon arrival for the MTV Asia awards at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Vejam mais HipHop asiatico aqui.

A caminho do Tibet.... On the way to Tibet

Nada e' verdadeiramente nosso mas por vezes nao o sabemos, ou nao o sentimos.
Hoje, nas culturas ocidentais e ocidentalizadas, somos moldados de uma forma tal que criamos uma ideia ilusoria da nossa existencia e afastamos perigosamente da essencia da vida.
Queremos mais e queremos demonstrar que o adequirimos. Julgamos tudo de acordo com as regras do nosso paradigma, da nossa zona de conforto e seguranca... Bloqueamo-nos sem nos apercebermos disso, e ate de vez em quando, ousamos de forma inconsciente, fazer o papel de deus.
Uma viagem ao Tibet faz bem 'a alma e ajuda-nos a rencontrar sentimentos e valores esquecidos e obscurecidos pela realidade que nos rodeia.
Uma ida ao Tibet marca, nao e' uma viagem facil, e' um desafio fisico e mental mas o vencer as dificuldades encontradas tambem faz parte das muitas licoes a aprender!
O Tibet mexe conosco, faz-nos descobrir o desconhecido em nos.
Nao sei bem porque, mas da' para sentir (e nao apenas perceber) quao insignificante nos somos e questionar o porque de tanta ansia pelo material e poder!

Nothing is really ours but sometimes we don’t know it or we don’t feel it.
Nowadays western and westernized cultures shape people’s minds, we are programmed in a way that we loose touch with the essence of life, we create the illusion that we are here forever.
We want more and we want to show that we have it. We judge everything against the rules of our paradigm, our comfortable and security zone…
We block ourselves without realizing it. We even allow ourselves, in an unconscient manner, to play the role of god.
A trip to Tibet helps to heal the soul, it helps us to reencounter feelings and values that we have forgotten and/or are obscured by our reality.
A trip to Tibet will mark you, it is not an easy ride, it’s a physical and mental challenge but going through that and getting where you aim, its part of the many lessons you will learn.
Tibet touches us, It makes us discover the unknown in us.
I still don’t really know why, but you can feel and not just understand, how insignificant we are and why such a rush for material and power!

Why?

posted by vizinho and acuso.

Tripping in Alishan

A personal review of spring weekend 20-21 March 2004:
It all started with a warm welcome from the Zhuo people, the celebration of spring lasted till late hours:


At 4:30 am a good hike towards the sunrise:


On the way back tree colours were dominating the landscape:
1 - The green of ancient trees that have a soul of its own and seem that they never want to die. If they do, they eventually find their way back:


2 - The pink of plum trees blossoms:


3 - The white of the tokyo cherry trees blossoms:


And all this powerful nature guarded by: