This shot could have been taken anywhere in the world, but it was taken in a petshop in Taipei. At first glance, it appears to be a shot of jumping flames, but it is actually just a picture of a goldfish tank. It’s one of my favorite pictures that I have ever taken, but ironically I cannot take much credit for it because it was an accident. Nonetheless I hope you enjoy it.
No country in the world escapes some expression of poverty, but often while I am at home I am numb to the struggles of those who go without around me. Taiwan is a nation that is probably more developed than the states and that is why this woman stood out to me as she begged. For me it was a huge breakthrough to realize that we must care for the poor wherever they are.
I had been in Taiwan for two weeks when my Dad arrived. We were talking with a guy who had a souped up moped and he asked my Dad and I if we wanted to try to ride it. My Dad eagerly got on and drove it straight into a bush. I ran over to help get him out, and right as I stepped into the bush I looked up and noticed this Golden Orb Web spider sitting ready to jump on his face and suck the life right out of him. This spider was about 8 inches in diameter and needless to say I didn’t sleep well for the rest of my stay in Taiwan.
Driving through the streets of Taipei I couldn’t resist taking this shot. I reached my arms and head out of the car window hoping not to get hit by one of the 10 million mopeds in Taiwan splitting lanes in deadlocked traffic at 50 miles an hour. I survived.
From snake blood to designer jeans the street markets of Taiwan are the place to find it all. It’s pretty obvious that real estate in these markets is a hot commodity as they butt up to one another. It feels like you could take five steps in any direction and accidentally come across the sorcerer’s stone. Everything is vibrant and the market is competitive, hence the colorful display of fish.
