上班族必備軟實力

*Richard if from the middle of the United States, where cars are the new horses.

I have always enjoyed walks. I would buy a cup of coffee and drink it while I walk around. I would get lost in thought and totally disregard the outside world. It was relaxing and healthy, but in Taiwan I must be more aware of my surroundings.

*Sidewalks get filled up pretty quickly in Taiwan. There are laws about keeping the walks clear, and the police will come by and enforce them once in a while.

When I don’t watch what I’m doing, I run into signs. I walk along, lost in thought, and then bam! I would get my head bashed by a bus sign. The front of my head used to always have scabs on it from walking into bus signs. I finally trained myself to watch out for low hanging signs. Getting whacked in the head a few times is a good learning aid.

If I don’t get beat on the head by a sign, I step into something. Sidewalks can be uneven and strewn with all kinds of junk. They can have unexpected holes, rises, and drop-offs. Stores keep merchandise and displays outside, scooters are parked, kids toys, dogs, and trash can be lying around. I consider myself lucky to have avoided suffering anything worse than bruised shins.

Bicycles are supposed to drive in the streets or in bicycle paths, but I don’t blame them for riding on the sidewalk. The roads are crazy with cars and motor scooters. Smart bicyclists will have a bell to let pedestrians know they are coming.

Other people who are also walking can be very irritating if they are too slow and in the way. Some groups of people will walk really slowly and sometimes four abreast so that nobody can pass.

All dangers and annoyances aside, I have walked great distances in Taipei, and it has been interesting and fun once I learned to take care and not forget to always be aware of what is around me. Walking is good exercise for the body and the mind.

Have a nice hike. We will be back next time.

【作者介紹】

Richard 是一位台灣女婿，在台灣生活15年，喜愛台灣文化，以風趣幽默的文筆，細膩獨特的觀點，介紹在台灣生活的趣事，一起跟著Richard探訪外國人的台灣世界吧！