23 Things I Learned from a Week in Taiwan

#LAYoungAmbassadors

Hey, my name is Ale and thanks to LA’s Mayor’s Young Ambassadors program (MAYA) I alongside 19 great individuals learned what it means to travel in Taiwan. Here’s everything I learned:

Alejandra Chavez

1. Taiwan’s unhackable voting system

Alejandra Chavez

Voting is a vital aspect of Taiwan’s democracy and anyone who wants to vote must come in-person to a polling place and fill in their ballot on election day. Then, staff at voting stations set up a room accommodating witnesses as one staff member takes out the ballot from the box, reads the vote aloud, hands it to another member who reads it aloud again, and a third member says the vote aloud as they mark it on the board.

2. Taiwan is the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage

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The landmark decision came into effect May 24, 2019, historically marking Taiwan as the first country in Asia to pass same-sex marriage legislation.

3. Political rallies are acclaimed and popular especially near election day

Alejandra Chavez

In general, Taiwan’s residents do not take their democracy for granted and its shown through high political engagement in peaceful rallies and voting.

4. Key election issue: identification/unification issue

Alejandra Chavez

Before this trip I was unaware of Taiwan-China relations which was unpacked to us at a meeting at the Election Study Center National Chengchi University (above). Briefly, Taiwan is an autonomous, self-ruled island yet Mainland China does not recognize its independence. The identification/unification issue is whether Taiwan should remain independent or unify with China and greatly influences who voters vote for.

5. Since 2016 Taiwan has a female president: Tsai Ing-wen

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She was recently re-elected on January 2020.

6. Menstrual leave policy exists!

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Act of Gender Equality in Employment Article 14 grants female employees the legal right to request one day off monthly as menstrual leave.

7. Thirty-eight percent of legislators are women

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Taiwan exceeds the international average of twenty-two percent and most countries

8. You likely will NOT be catcalled

Alejandra Chavez

Back home I’ll be whistled at and “hey Mami”d on my way to school. I’d be walking around in my bike shorts at 11pm in Taiwan and never catcalled at all. There’s even the saying that in Taiwan you could be a woman walking home alone drunk at night and still make it safe home. I didn’t test the idea, but I truly believe it.

9. And the streets are organized to accommodate bikes and motorcycles

Alejandra Chavez

Motorcycles are very popular.

10. You can hear a pin drop on the subway

MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) is Taipei, Taiwan’s metro system. The trains are immaculately clean because it’s really disrespectful to eat on the train, liter, or make noise. It’s also said that if you lost your wallet at the train station, you’d find it wherever you left it.

11. People are really friendly

s/o to Taiwan's young ambassadors for welcoming us

12. Taiwan is a cultural melting pot

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Due to various periods of colonial rule stretching from Dutch, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese and Taiwan’s Indigenous peoples there is a lot of diversity the island has to offer

13. The island’s natural splendor

Alejandra Chavez

A ride on a Maokong Gondola offers beautiful views of Taiwan's landscapes

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14. While riding the Maokong Gondola, you can get closer to wildlife at Taipei Zoo

15. Perfect weather 365 days a year

Alejandra Chavez

As an Angeleno my weather standard is perfect at sunny, 70°F and utter frostbite at 60°F

16. One of the tallest buildings in the world is Taipei 101

Alejandra Chavez

And was the tallest from 2004-2010 and is one of the tallest green buildings since 2015.

View from 91st floor

Alejandra Chavez

17. Tea is a part of the culture

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18. Roots of Chinese tea culture can be seen at tea plantations

Alejandra Chavez

A a great spot is the Taipei Tea Promotion Center (above) and you will grow an appreciation for Oolong Tea

19. And there are many remarkable places to learn Taiwan's history and culture such as the National Palace Museum

Alejandra Chavez

Alejandra Chavez

20. National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Alejandra Chavez

21. And Lungshan Temple

Alejandra Chavez

22. Night markets are a must

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23. The food deserves it’s own list <3

Alejandra Chavez

s/o to all these amazing individuals: