The Taipei MRT system is continuing its rapid expansion, from additional lines in the city to arms that reach far into the Taipei County cities now known as New Taipei. Beyond the obvious benefits of reducing auto traffic, creating job opportunities, reducing street-level pollution, and increasing city-dwellers ability to quickly reach different areas of the city and beyond there have been a number of secondary benefits that have come from the citys investment.
Another week of shots off the mobile. Its just so darn convenient and faster to reach for something in my pocket than in my bag. Also, its a lot less conspicuous in a hospital where a couple of these were taken. Yes, Im fine. I was just there for a blood screening and MMR vaccination.
Did you know vaccinations fade after a couple of decades?
I did take advantage of some Taipei MRT construction that I came across with a proper camera, but since the photos are related theyll be posted under the Random Encounters banner next week.
Here we go.
The first Maker Faire in Taipei (well, in Taiwan really) happened at Huashan park this past weekend, May 18-19. Entry was free for all-comers and it was awesome. As one would expect, there were plenty of robots wandering around and there were even robot boxing events. There were also plenty of demonstrations of Rasberry Pi and Arduino-based projects (along with a number of Arduino clones, my favorite being Motoduino which was apparently created by a maker fan of those Hello Moto mobile phone commercials).
I had a personal emergency a couple of weeks ago and didnt do much shooting. In fact, Im writing this while hurling over the Pacific to take care of it. That being said, I did happen across a few choice scenes while my mobile phone was in-hand.
So here you go.
After a (too long) hiatus, Im back with some new street photography from Taipei, Taiwan.
The Barbie Cafe in Taipei, Taiwan is not the first Barbie-themed restaurant in the world but it is the first Barbie-themed restaurant in the world officially licensed by Mattel H.Q. In El Segundo, California. The obvious question is Why Taipei?. Themed restaurants are very popular in Asia in general and seem to be especially popular in countries like Japan, China, and Taiwan. In China, enforcement of intellectual properties and trademarks is ridiculously lax making it a poor environment in which to open a business that relies on its branding as a selling tool. In Japan, the market has matured (and might even be called glutted). While theme restaurants are popular in Taipei, there is still room for new players here. It also helps that one of the most popular restaurants in the city is the Sanrio-approved Hello Kitty Sweets, which has remained popular for some time. In demographic terms, they appeal to the same pie. And guess where the Barbie Cafe is located? Its less than a block from Hello Kitty Sweets, so Mattel is well aware of the demographics.
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