Catch Up March 19-23, Driving in Taiwan & Elections

Here is a quick run down of the highlights of interesting things that happened last week when I did not have access to a computer.

March 19 - Jacky (brother to my host family, but more like my host) arranged for me to have dinner with a prosecutor to discuss the legal system here. I learned that for wimpy crimes that carry jail time you can buy your way out of jail. So if you are rich you just pay a fee. You are only entitled to an attorney if you commit a serious crime (more than 5 years jail time). Judges and prosecutors live in dorms provided by the government, unless they are rich enough to have a big house with its own security system. We also visited a huge flower nursery on Wed.

March 20 - In the afternoon we got to go on a 2 hour bike ride. They gave us a shortened route but we took off and did the whole route in 2 hours. It was fun to get out and do something active. I am getting quite the tan. Although, if you looked at me most people would not think I have one since I am so pastie white to begin with. That evening we went to a rotary meeting. The presentation was first and dinner was second. During dinner Karaoke started. It was an interesting night. These people take their Karaoke very seriously.

March 21 - Driving in Taiwan in chaos. There are thousands of mopeds and cars. No one obeys traffic signals and the roads are very narrow. Something that we would consider was a one way street with no parking is actually a two way street with parking. It is amazing and people cooperate. I have yet to see a full on accident but I was almost in a few that day. Our driver was awful. First it was like he was drunk, then he went the wrong direction so we were very late to our appointment, then backed into the curb and put a big old dent in his car. [He almost hit a moped in the process. ] We also almost hit a few pedestrians that day. I was glad to finally get out of the car at the end of the day and know that I would not have to ride with him again. On the way back to Lawyer's house we saw a big (no I should say huge - a whole stadium full of people) political rally for the KMT. The elections were the next day. The parties KMT (with loyalties to China) and the DPP (democratic party who has been in control for the past 8 years.)

March 22 - Election Day. I got to go with Lawyer when he voted. I was required to stand across the street and could not take photos. There were at least 3 armed police men at every voting place I saw that day. It was interesting to be a part of the election process and to hear what was going on. The political ties run strong. The KMT won. They also control the legislature so Taiwan is in for some changes.

March 23 - Easter. Did not seem like Easter - I missed attending church and thought of you. But I did get an interesting education on Buddhism and visited Confucius temples.