Takao

Breakfast this morning was on a level I have never seen. This hotel has one of of the biggest and best buffets I’ve ever seen. Sections of Foods from The West, Taiwan, Japan, and China. I have seen more Westerners here this morning, lots of American Blue collar management/engineer “I travel to Asia for work” /“maybe shipping but I wear camo baseball hats, drink a lot and talk real loud”kinda guys.
So after breakfast I came back up to the room and have napped all day in this glorious bed. I’ve wondered a few times if I should be doing more sightseeing, but I’m listening to my body. I’m going to the 1st night of Coldplay here in Kaohsiung (my 3rd concert for those is keeping track) and it is taking a lot out of me. I’m ok with this trip being what it is. I am doing everything I came here to do. I am also aware that I will need to hit the ground running when I go back to work and being able to rest is really what I need.
The air quality here is very poor today. We will see how it is this evening.
So I had gone down to the desk this morning to ask a couple of things. One was that I had noticed that I am on the executive floor. They had said something about upgrading my room. So I asked, If I am on the Executive floor, do I have Executive Lounge Access? Now I didn’t pay for it, they upgraded me. Either way I didn’t care but it never hurts to ask. So they gave it to me!
So it really never hurts to ask.
I finally got up around 3:30ish. I wanted to eat and shower and be on the way by 6:30. Google maps said it would take about an hour to get the the venue via walking/metro.
So there is a HUGE dept store attached to this hotel, and they have a food court in the basement floor. I have learned that in parts of Asia the food courts on the basement level of dept are supposed to be really good. And I didn’t even have to leave the building.
I found lunch, braised pork belly w/rice set. Had really nice fresh veggies with it and soup with a fish ball and pieces of mackerel. I have discovered I don’t mind mackerel, on this trip.
So I went back upstairs, got ready and by the time I actually left the hotel it was almost 7 pm. One thing that has been a challenge is finding out what time the band goes on stage. They tell you when the doors open and when the opener goes on, but not when the actual band comes on. So the ticket said 7:30.
In Japan, they went on at 7:15 ( the trains stop running at a certain time, hence the earlier time) So I figured I’d shoot for 7:30. Well already running behind. No worries, I’ll see all 4 shows I can be late. So I have to walk 15 minutes to the metro station. And the hard part with Google maps is starting out. It always turns me around. I have to bust out the compass when it says “Head West”.
So I get to the metro station. And I know I need to get a ticket or ideally a 1-2 day pass to ride the train. And I’ve gotten comfortable with the ticket vending machines in Japan.
But I’m just not finding what I need.
Then, 2 girls appear, one speaking perfect English, asks if I needed some help. I tell her what I need and they walk me over to the 7-11 (right there in the station ) and she helps me get a metro card. And ends up speaking to the clerk for me. She was a HUGE help. So I got my metro card. I probably put too much money on it. But I didn’t know how much it would be, hadn’t done the exchange rate math , and definitely didn’t want to get stranded after the concert because I hadn’t put enough on the card.
So I am on the way on the train, the Taiwan really know how to do a/c. It felt really good.
I was worried about the smog alert today, but by this evening it didn’t seem very bad. Funny enough, my throat feels the best it’s felt all trip. I think it’s the humidity. My body responds better to it, lol.
So I get off the train, and have to walk another 15 minutes. But I see a couple of people getting off too, and I KNOW they are going to the concert, so I kinda watch where they go.
As I’m walking , I am reminding myself that it’s ok if you miss the 1st few songs. But I got there and they hadn’t even gone on yet!!
So I run to the bathroom then make my way down to the floor. Now for these 2 shows I have general admission floor tickets. Which means you stand and there are no assigned seats, no seats at all.
Well it was fantastic! I much prefer it that way. You can stand in the back or along the sides in little empty pockets. So you can sing , spin, dance, bob up and down and have some space!! I moved around too, seeing where it was good for different songs.
Khaosuing stadium is open air, and it was hot. But I knew it would be and prepared for that. I bought one of those neck fans. I wore it the whole time and it was the BEST thing I brought on this trip. I knew it would be.
Heading home was interesting. About 1/2 the stadium crowd was taking the metro and there is ONE station that everyone has to get through. But the city did a wonderful job managing the crowds. There was a guy on a megaphone that was directing things in the metro station and making everyone laugh. Have no clue what he was saying, lol.
What a cool experience. What I haven’t seen as far a sightseeing, I feel like I am making up for seeing these concerts in these 2 different countries. I like Taiwan. There are lots of people riding motorbikes. Lots of people eating noodles on small plastic stools. It’s the climate. It is conducive to spending more of life outside. Restaurants are small and tables and stools spill out onto the sidewalks. There is a rhythm that is nice.
I look forward to seeing more of it tomorrow.Read more