Lantern Festival disappointment and cultural observations

Superb
Having lived in Taipei for four months back in 2006, you have captured the city perfectly, with the only difference since that time being the increasing androgynous look of the young males, and those Korean influenced glasses. I too loved the temples, the syncretism of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism was touching, and I took to research Chinese philosophy as a result. The food is fantastic in Taiwan, one of my favourites was the deep-fried Tofu - excellent! Not sure if you are still there, but in July/August is a lantern/ghost festival not overrun by tourists, in Keelung - one of the best festivals of my travels. Finally, my favourite quote of the blog: "I reckon the white, affluent, hedonistic neo-hippies flock here for the 'spiritual' experience of raising a sky lantern in another failed effort to fill their hollow, dull existences with some semblance of meaning." When I next travel to India, I'm going to cite that line, it describes many tourist infested parts of that country beautifully.

Festivals and observations
Jens, thanks again for your impressions. We would love to visit Taipei. The street foods sound fantastic.

SOUNDS LIKE...LOOKS LIKE
I guess Taiwan should be on my destination list...Just say Jens sent me seems the go. Your blogs show wide appeal to someone like me who is very much a sinophile.