ROC

So heres a few impressions after my first day in the Republic of China (No 'Peoples' please note):

It's very friendly: everyone so far has been lovely, even if I can't understand them and they can't understand me.

It's cheap:the beer in my hotel fridge is AU$2.80 each. That has to be a record for a minibar. And a 4GB compact flash card is AU$17. Mind you they are just made up the road.

They love scooters.

Pedestrian crossings are merely a suggestion, which combined with the 8 lane wide roads makes every trip somewhat of an adventure.

I have never seen so many roadside, mobile food stalls in my entire life.

A white face is still enough of a novelty that you get stared at by little kids on the subway.

I have never seen so much unidentifiable food on aforementioned stalls. Dining out here is for the very brave.

They really love scooters.

It's hot.

Even though I have been the only white person I've seen today, all the official signs on roads and stations are in English, which is very considerate.

It's the year 98 here. Not 2098 0r 1998. Just 98.

So far it's great.