新年快樂 (Happy New Year!)

Welcome to 2009! I rang in the new year in Taipei with a bunch of other Fulbrighters. Jamie, Dan and I headed into Taipei after school was out and met up with Faith, Mandi, Beth, Nell, Britt, Virginia and Bonny near 101. The whole area was closed off to traffic, and by 10 p.m. people were already camped out on garbage bags and blankets in the middle of the road. We got some food and light up headbands and then pushed our way into the crowd near the stage.

A number of artists performed, including A-Mei and May Day. We were dancing and having a great time, but Taiwanese crowds are interesting. No one else really moved or danced. Sometimes they would sing along. Most of the time they would stand quietly or watch us or imitate us. A-Mei especially, though, put on an incredible show! I don't know how people could stand there and not move!

At midnight there was a countdown, but instead of a ball-drop, fireworks went off of Taipei 101. It was very cool to see, but gave the slightly-frightening illusion that the building was exploding! I'd never imagined such a spray of fireworks, though, from a building.

After we went to a nearby restaurant for some mozarella sticks and cocktails, and then called it a night on the floor of an office in Taipei that a friend was kind enough to open up to us since all of the hotels were booked!