• Taipei, Taiwan, like a living organism, bursts into activity as evening descends on the island. The metro stations that carry you around the city are overflowing with awaiting passengers. Your ears are pounded with the sound of hundreds of conversations going on all at once until they are drowned out by the train coming in to a screeching stop. After cramming yourself in like a sardine, you feel a force jerking you back a little as the train zooms with incredible speed to your destination. Looking around at the passengers you begin to wonder if those electronic devices are actually extensions of their hands. After a few short minutes of people stepping on your toes, you’re finally out and ready to explore the night markets along Danshui River. The streets are clogged with cars and pedestrians, their black heads mingling in a sea of humanity. Bright illuminated signs jut out from the walls of buildings, advertising a thousand different stores and restaurants. The smell of stinky tofu permeates the air, competing with steamy bowls of noodles, grilled squid on a stick, or other such local cuisine. On every side, high rises pierce the night sky, but no matter where you are Taipei 101 dominates the view. This tall, sleek, modern blue skyline looks as though glass takeout boxes were stacked on one another. As you continue walking down the narrow alleys lined with shops, you’ll see that people of all ages come down to get their favorite snack or to just have fun shopping. Schoolgirls in their white blouse and plaid skirts cling to each other and giggle at inside jokes. Young men with crazy hairstyles boisterously make their way through. Elderly folk barter for the cheapest price over a tasty vegetable. Colors of every kind flow around you, tempting you to take a second look. It’s as if there’s a competition for the most colorful garment to catch your eye. Little stalls are lined with sparkling barrettes and headbands for your hair that you want to pick up and finger. Halfway through, your hands may already be filled with shopping bags. The best place to take a rest is in a restaurant, and before you know it your table is being filled with delicious steaming buns filled with every meat or vegetable you can think of. Around you, customers are expertly working their chopsticks making a prominent clicking noise. The sticks can often feel awkward in beginner’s hands, however. Finally, after making your way out of the night markets, the sight of the Danshui River opening up to the ocean fills you with an odd sense of release. It’s still twilight and the sun’s last rays of orange light paint its reflection on the water. The smell of salty seawater instantly fills your nostrils. Along the edge, fishermen are bringing in fresh batches of squid and offering samples. The wide boardwalk is lined on one side with food stalls and vendors and benches offering respite on the other. Although the harbor is still quite busy, the ocean breeze casts a peace and serenity that can only be found along the shore. Far off, music is playing at an outdoor stage, strung lights twinkle in the gathering darkness, and the pops and snaps of frying food are heard, creating the festive atmosphere that appears every night here in Taipei, Taiwan.