Who would have guessed that "Super Claw Cranes" would suddenly become so popular in Taipei? Remember those frustrating, flimsy-clawed amusement machines that would entice you to spend a few coins to try and retrieve a plush toy with a mechanical claw? Well, against all odds in these days of mass electronic entertainment, they've made a remarkable comeback in numerous locations dotted throughout every suburb and on every byway and back alley. What's going on?! Two words seem to sum up this incredible revival of an entertainment that was pretty hopeless even in its first incarnation: "money" and "laundering"!
The substantial rumour about town is that these arcades are the latest way that organized crime gangs in the city are trying to launder their ill-gotten gains. It has all the hallmarks of such: banks of machines glistening under neon lights, open 24 hours a day and narry a customer in sight! They are also literally on every street corner and many spots in between. We thought the all-year round shop, "Mr. Christmas" was a perfect front for money laundering, but at least they have a few customers! Anyway, the claw machine shops are definitely the latest vehicle for cleansing the cash!
Another, slightly less sinister, phenomenon that has started popping up all around town is the private karaoke booth. Anyone who has been to Asia, in particular Japan and Korea, will know that karaoke is almost a revered pastime, eliciting great passion and even more intense vocal exhortations, many of which are sadly discordant! This new technology allows 1, 2 or 3 people to cram into a soundproof booth and select from a menu electronically, brandish a couple of microphones, and blast out some latest hits or golden oldies. The incredible thing is, you can walk past and see people almost literally busting their lungs, and not the slightest breath of noise is heard outside: remarkable!
We spotted some more of these booths on two floors of Shinkong Mitsukoshi when we ventured across to catch a movie on Saturday. We wouldn't normally pick "Beirut", but it was on at a handy time, starred the mercurial Jon Hamm, and had pretty good reviews. It was competently played out and we enjoyed the escapism, awarding it an A-, which is pretty high for us these days: either we're jaded from too many movies, have raised our standards a notch by selecting great examples most of the time, or we're just glad to greet a movie that is not from the Marvel superhero stable!
Afterwards we "dined" at JB Diner across the road, mainly because none of the Indian restaurants (of which there are three nearby) was open yet. I ordered the same meal I'd had previously and was disappointed just like the last time. Note to self: don't order the fish and chips! Cass had a deliciously prepared pasta and broccoli which I was very envious of!
The weather has amped up significantly and despite the fact the sky threatens and thunder grumbles each afternoon, the thunderstorm either doesn't arrive at all or does precious little to dispel the blanket of heat that engulfs our little river basin here. It's really awfully oppressive, and we arrive at school in a lather of sweat despite walking at 7 a.m. and stagger through a wall of humidity to get home in the afternoon. That winter cool in Newcastle is beckoning and it's only a week away...
We're continuing our shutdown operations and getting ready to leave. Before then, Cass and I have hundreds of essays on To Kill a Mockingbird to grade, cats to settle, and contingencies to put in place. We'll be in a flurry of activity for the next week or so. This blog will be on hold for a couple of months starting today: see you on the other side!
Photos: Produce of different sorts, the claw machines, the karaoke machines and cute, waving puppies for the Year of the Dog!