An interesting evening...

Going out in Taipei is fun. Since it's a big city there is always something going on. Last night I started at birthday party in a home that had the most beautiful furniture I think I've ever seen - full of antique Chinese tables, chairs, doors, and carvings, yet in a modern setting complete with a huge Andy Warhol-ish Marilyn Monroe painting on one wall. A couple owns the place and the wife, Linda, not only has excellent taste in furniture and design, but she is also an amazing cook. I thought perhaps the party had been catered, but turns out she made everything but the cakes.

One thing about the buildings in Taiwan is that the outside is no indication of what you might find inside. Most people in Taipei live in apartments as there are very few single family homes within the city. While the newer buildings are tall highrises like you'd find in any other big city, the older building are mostly 4-8 story concrete boxes with 2 or 4 apartments on each floor. You typically walk in and see a dingy concrete stairwell with broken light bulbs and wonder what you're getting yourself into. But I've been to a couple places where I wasn't expecting much, only to walk in and find a nicely remodeled modern apartment. As they say, you can't judge a book by its cover.

After the birthday party it was on to Carnegie's to see a local band. Now Carnegie's is a place I would normally stay away from since it has a reputation for being a place where older expat guys will go to pick up local girls (although they do have good food). The band, The Moneyshot Horns, typically plays jazz/blues music but last night they were playing more Carnegie's appropriate music - old covers but with a funk twist. They're good musicians and a lot of fun to watch. But it was even more fun to watch the balding, 50 year old Taiwanese guy who got up on the bar and starting do the worst version of the robot I've ever seen - arms flailing, head turning, big smile on his face. Absolutely hilarious.

Then it was off to Lava, a big nightclub not far from Taipei 101. The crowd was pretty young and it's not a place I would normally hang out, but a friend knew the MC so we stopped by. One big difference between clubs in the US and in Taiwan is that in the US, if you're really drunk and look like you're going to pass out, the bouncers will make you leave. Not in Taiwan. I saw numerous people passed out on couches and tables, and several others being carried through the club by friends. You only have to be 18 to legally drink in Taiwan and there doesn't seem to be a cut off time for serving drinks so people just get wasted. I got tired and headed home around 3 am but it was a fun night out.