[MaadDaawg]

Three things I remember about Taiwan
1 - little motor scotters parked and on the road everywhere - in the hundreds
2 - the little shops with the barber poles (with gangster types on either side of the doors)
3 - The Grand Hotel

: just noticed your description of the "crazy random building" : (copied below)


The Grand Hotel is that oriental looking building in the blurry shot, it is by far the most elaborate and ornate building I have EVER SEEN! Hopefully, you got a chance to go inside of it. The ceilings, stairways, and most of the interior are made of carved ivory. I mean, you can't even imagine - puts ANYTHING in Vegas to shame! It was built and owned by Chang Kai Shek and he used to entertain Presidents and Kings and Queens there. It's now owned by one of his daughters. I had the opportunity of eating dinner there as the guest of honor of a company the daughter also owns. About 20 people around an elaborate carved hardwood table with little decanters every other person, large enough to hold about 4 shots and each person had a stemmed shot glass - they were filled with your choice of Scotch or Cognac, and they never went dry, despite the fact that every 30 seconds or so someone would toast you with "Compai" (bottoms up) and it was rude to not "Compai" in return. I have never gotten so drunk in my entire life! The next day however I was given the ultimate compliment - I was told I was a "good drinker" :

Looks like a blast - Hope you guys visited the barber pole shops