Night in Hsinchu

So, we've spent a lot of time talking about all the different places we've been in Taiwan so far but haven't mentioned much about the city where we are living. This is probably for two reasons:

1. Other places always seem more exciting than the one you're living in, and...
2. While still a major metropolitan area, Hsinchu/Jubei is smaller than most big cities in Taiwan so there actually is less to see.

While this sometimes leaves us wanting to get out rather than explore our own city, we prefer it on a day-to-day, living-life basis as it's much less crowded, congested and crazy than the bigger cities.

Recently, Luke and I decided to head out one night and try to snap some night pictures of Hsinchu. They're not the best quality, but you can get an idea of what some of the more interesting parts of the city look like.

Welcome to Hsinchu's East Gate and "Circle of Death" as I like to call it.
Hsinchu was first established in the 1700's. Back in the day it came complete with a moat and a sweet wall to keep all the bad guys out. The East Gate is the last remaining part of that wall. Just that the thing is preserved and still standing is amazing considering that most historic buildings can be found in varying stages of dilapidation. This can be pretty depressing to a lover of fine and historical architecture like myself. Well, ce la vie...here, if it doesn't have some utilitarian purpose, away with it! We have no need!

Oh, and the "Circle of Death." Looks fun, right? There are about eight streets that all empty in to the circle at once. This means that at any moment about a dozen scooters, ten large tour buses and maybe twenty cars are all entering at the same time. You, on your scooter must not only navigate your entrance, your journey around the circle but also your exit while other said automobiles do the same. Some times are crazier than others, but I leave the driving to Luke and he does swimmingly. I'm just there to lend moral support and another set of eyes. Oh, and also the occasional "watch out!" and white-knuckled grab on his arm.

The part of the moat in front of the East Gate has since been blocked off and drained and is now used for concerts and emerging Asian boy bands practicing their break dancing.
Is that photo crooked, you ask? No, just the platform that all those people are standing on...
Here is the rest of the moat. It no longer goes around the entire city but only runs through a part of it. There are plenty of nice(r) restaurants and shops to peruse as well as a walking path on either side of it. Walking path, yay! I say this, because a sidewalk that continues unobstructed for more than five feet is a rare thing indeed.
Also, on our wanderings that night we stumbled on a sign telling us that we were entering "The Dark Street." Woooo...sound scary? Not really....apparently, the first street of Hsinchu, it looked to us like any other street in Hsinchu except for a bunch of these lanterns. They were pretty (prettier than the street), so here's a picture.