Is there such a thing as ‘rehab’ in Taiwan? Short answer: No.

The Wild East / Society In Taiwan, the authorities don’t really grasp the concept of a ‘rehabilitation centre’ or what ‘rehab’ is supposed to do, for that matter – to rehabilitate, help people detoxify and get off drink and drugs. In North America, on the other hand, going to rehab

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Taiwan firefighters overworked, pressured not to speak up

The Wild East / Society Taiwan firefighters would like to change the system – by putting firestations, like the police, under local government control Earlier this year, Taipei Times actually had a relevant article about Alex Chu, who called for the improvement of working conditions of Taiwan’s firemen. Chu filed

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Bobwundaye and Revolver: In search of Open Mic nights in Taipei

By Trista di Genova / The Wild East Pubs in Taipei and Taiwan in general seem to have difficulty staying afloat! Several Taipei bars which used to feature open mic events closed doors, such as The Living Room and Citizen Cain, as well as Bliss. But there are still a

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Your Temple Is My Office

By Trista di Genova / The Wild East / Comedy There’s a temple I frequent in East Taipei, but I won’t say exactly where it is for fear other people will come and ‘rush’ it. For when you hear how awesome my office-temple is, you will have the urge to

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Taichung Refuge ‘Writ IV’ event a Mecca for writers this weekend

“The Written Word is Solace, A Sword, A Universe in a World.”— Paul Davies “The Writ: Words Over a Deep Hole” will provide a literary evening at The Taichung Refuge this Saturday, September 29, 2012. Some of the Readers/Performers include: Kevin MacCash, Megan Dooley, Keith Nipper Gypsi, Hopey The Wizzard

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Five of Taiwan’s Best: A Travel Writer’s Recent Discoveries

Steven Crook’s List of Taiwan hot spots A few days ago a friend asked me this question: “Of the places you’ve been to recently, which have been the most impressive or most memorable?” I thought about this for a little while, and came up with a list of five attractions.

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Shakespeare goes live in Red Room radio drama

LOCATION: 2F #117 Sec. 1 Da-an Rd. 台北市大安路一段11​7號2F DATE/TIME: September 8th & 9th, 2:30pm, and 7:30pm As part of the 5th Annual Taipei Fringe Festival, Red Room brings you “An Evening of Shakespeare.” Red Room Radio Redux is an offshoot of the Red Room and is designed to present great

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Hungarian loses appetite at Taiwan breakfast shop

By Frank V., for The Wild East Offering my Hungarian-Jew-style comedy to Taipei Comedy Club guests for the third time some weeks ago, I felt the support of the local audience again, which is the best drug for a comedian. I always wonder why comedy has no tradition in Taiwan,

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Upon visiting a McDonald’s in an Asian city

The Wild East / Comedy Got off the bus. Saw the yellow arches and headed towards that venerable international institution. My friend, whose birthday it is this evening, may have looked back from his seat on the bus and wondered why I hadn’t entered the MRT station. Instead, I made

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Tobie Openshaw speaks on Taiwan betelnut beauties at Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club, a monthly meeting featuring guest lecturers on a variety of lively topics, will get back in the swing of things this fall with a meeting on Saturday, Sept. 1 at 10 am. Topic: Taiwan’s Unique BetelNut Girls and the unique Role They Play in Today’s Society. Speaker:

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