Monday, October 11, 2010

My Scooter, or; Things I Shouldn't Tell My Parents

It is illegal to park your scooter on the sidewalk in Taiwan.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. (Honk your car horn.)
When in Ireland, do as the Irish do. (Drink a pint.)
When in New York, do as the New Yorkers do. (Have a slice.)

When in Taiwan, do as the Taiwanese do, and buy a scooter.

And so we did.

Our little black bundle of 50cc Yamaha joy, I call her Zippy and she spouts black smoke out her butt hole. She cost $300 and is the best piece of transportation I have ever owned. Don't tell the Subaru, but scooter driving is way too much fun.

It's a lawless road. Technically, you can only drive on the far right hand side of the road, sometimes in specially marked lanes, sometimes where there aren't parked cars. You aren't supposed to turn left, and instead you must cross the intersection and put yourself in "The Box," where you wait to go the right direction.

Did I mention that the average Taiwan traffic light counts down about 90 seconds? 90 seconds of agonizing, Why didn't I just turn back there? time.

Therefore, and I blame this on the length of the traffic lights, people drive as it is necessary. It is necessary to pass on the left, because sometimes old ladies with parasols walk in the street at -2 mph. It is necessary to thread your scooter through 3 foot gaps between cars and buses, because otherwise, you wouldn't move anywhere. And sometimes you make a left turn, just because you can't stand "The Box" and then extra several minutes it will set you back, sucking in scooter fumes at the intersection.

It's fantastic. It's stimulating. It's dangerous, and we are aware. It's like getting to be in the scene in Star Wars where Leia and Luke are racing through the Endor forest on the floating speeders. Lean right, lean left, DUCK, squeeze your knees in so you don't bang them on the car next to you. It is a bit rough going over the bumps, but hey, if a lower back massage will only set you back about $20, no harm, no foul, right?

But Caitlin, where do you put your stuff  on a scooter? It's not like you have a trunk or anything!

Good question, my friend. The beauty of Zippy is she is equipped with a plastic hook that perfectly allows grocery bags to sit at your feet while you're driving. And thank goodness Taiwan is the safest place in the world besides a petting zoo pen of bunny rabbits and marshmallows. Need to leave your shopping on the scooter while you hop off to run errands? No problem! Need to leave your helmet because you don't feel like carrying it into the restaurant? Heck, why not display it on top of your rear view mirrors! The other day, James and I scootered our new bromiliad plant home and left it on the foot pad while we made a doctor's visit.

I swear you could leave your wallet on your scooter seat and find a fresh rose and a $100NT note folded inside of it on your return.

Anyway, the scooter is amazing. James and I "splurged" on the cheapest ride, lowest power, smallest seat, but in good condition. At $3 per tank of gas, it's the cheapest way to get around. So far, we've stretched her legs to the ocean (twice) and to the mountains (hot ass hot springs) and are never disappointed. As much as I love transportation, it seems like the best places are only accessible by Taiwan's favorite transport mode.

How's she handle?

Zippy doesn't purr, she buzzes.

Learning to drive in the empty parking lot. Unrealistic good practice, but I have since progressed to the big leagues.

29 comments:

  1. CPK...

    Helmet always. Defensive driving (pretend your invisible). Have a blast.

    I love you (in one piece)!

    Dad

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  2. Wow! It sounds way better than driving a car and it is safe. So, do they drive their scooters on the sidewalk? How fast is it? You look good with your scooter and I like your scooter. It is small and you can park everywhere right? It takes little space to park. I want to drive it once. Your blog is so interesting, I will wait for your next article and I liked the pictures you put. Be careful!

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  3. Hi Caitlin! I'm Nori, from your mom's computer class. I want a motorcycle when I grow up! Except I would be worried about the traffic and having to drive in between cars. I'm not much of a "dare devil". But that must be easier to get around in than a car and the price looks nice. I always have a great time reading your blogs.
    (P.S. Are the beaches there really nice? Taiwan sounds like the coolest place in the world!)

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  4. Who would've thought scooters can be so fun? Of all transportation vehicles, a scooter? I guess it's time for me to save up for a scooter to take to Taiwan because I would love to share the thrill you get experience. With all that dangerous riding I hope you always have the helmet on because if you were to get hurt, who's fantastic blogs would I read? Hope you continue to have fun and please be careful.

    -Treston-Jonah

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  5. Hi Caitlin! I'm from your mom's computer class.
    I can't believe that when you leave your wallet on your scooter seat, your going to find a fresh rose and and a note folded inside. WOW! :D by the way I like your scooter's name "Zippy" so cute. I think riding scooter is much easier and it's not really that expensive. What speed limit does scooter go? I'm just curious.:) I will wait for your next entry blog bye!

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  6. Hi, this Kyna from your mom's 3rd period computer class. Driving a scooter in Taiwan seems pretty crazy. I remembered that when I went on a trip to China, the traffic was crazy and the motorcycles and scooters can go wherever they want. I never knew that Taiwan is so safe for "stuffs." I know that the scooters in China have a storage place under the seat of the scooter. Have fun riding your scooter.

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  7. I thought the beginning of your blog was funny when you said “when in Taiwan, do as the Taiwanese do, and go buy a scooter.” It’s nice to hear that you got a scooter. Hope you have a license and not driving illegally. You must be driving a lot since gas is cheap and your scooter didn’t cost much. Stay safe over there and don’t try to squeeze through too many cars.

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  8. When you are in America, what can you do? Your scooter was cool,it cost very cheap and it was useful and easy to drive. Also, you should be careful when you drive on the road because Taiwan streets have many cars.

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  9. Hi, this is Lindsay from your mom's computer class. I think it would be so cool to have a scooter. For some reason I have always wanted to ride on a motorcycle/scooter or just own one. They look really fun. The one downside that seems very apparent is that navigating through the streets of Taiwan sounds very difficult. I can picture how crazy it is because on Amazing Race when they go to places like China,India,Thailand or other really populous countries it looks really crazy and confusing. I hope maybe one day I will get my hands on a scooter or even a motorcycle.

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  10. It seems like the scooter is very good transportation. I can't believe that gas only costs $3! In the United States, gas is so expensive. I think it's cool that Taiwan is a really safe place,and you can leave your things on your scooter and it will still be there when you come back! Well I really like your blogs, I hope you post the next blog soon.

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  11. It must be cool driving on a lawless road. Have you done any dangerous driving, like riding in between two cars? It must be awesome to have a scooter. Taiwanese people must be so nice not to steal people things while they run other errands. California is nothing like that, people get robbed everyday. I wish America was like Taiwan. Well, I wish you the best of luck on driving Zippy.

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  12. Hi this is Hieu from your mom's computer class. I would like to say that riding a scooter is a lot of fun. I remember when I was in Vietnam driving a scooter or a motorcycle was dangerous at all times. From what you told about Taiwan and it's safety all I can say is I want to travel to Taiwan! I really think that you are right that people are really hate about being stuck in "the box" when driving. I hope that you are staying safe all the time and are having fun all at the same time.

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  13. Hi, I think that it is crazy that it takes 90 seconds for the lights to count down. How do you do it? It is also pretty awesome how people are very trustworthy over there. I wish people were that trustworthy over here. If they were, then the world would be a better place. Well thanks for posting anther blog. Bye

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  14. Hi I'm in your mom's class. It's nice to hear that you got a scooter and that your having fun that's what counts. It's convenient for you because it is cheap and it doesn't cost so much money for gas so you save money. Be safe and make sure you look around for cars. It was nice reading your blog.

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  15. Hi Caitlin! it's Joan. I have your mom's class fifth period. I thought this blog was really interesting because I got to read and learn about how people around the world get around. Usually when I'm around my neighborhood I see a few people with scooters but I guess it's really big in Taiwan. I think having to wait in a 'box' for about 90 seconds is a little scary but I'm pretty sure your used to it. Something I found to be really amazing is when you talked about Taiwan being the safest place ever. I wish everything here would be that great where I can just leave my things and not have to worry about people stealing it. Until next time , bye!

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  16. I think it is cool to buy A scooter for 300 dollars.I think you should take my mom there so she can get me one.my name is markel

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  17. Driving in Taiwan sounds really complicated and fun! I can't imagine how you manage to cross other cars and vehicles on the streets. Or how you manage to keep your things in place going over hills and cracks on the road. I would love to get a scooter like yours! By the way, how many gallons of gas can those scooters hold?

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  18. Sounds fun! :) I've always wanted to try riding a scooter. That's so cool that you can just leave your stuff in your scooter if you need to leave it, that's something I didn't really expect. I'm glad that you're also finding many adventurous things to do in Taiwan. But I still don't know if I should tell you to be safe while riding, or breaking it down to your parents! I know my parents would kill me if I had one of those(or anything close to a motorcycle.) Ha, but I'm glad you're having an adventurous time. :)

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  19. Hi I am Jeramy and I am in your mom's computer class.Would you recommend buying a scooter over a car? Because as a senior in high school a scooter would be the cheapest alternative to a car other than walking or riding the bus. Have fun and be safe on that thing.

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  20. Hey Caitlin! I'm Leslie from your mom's Digital Citizenship class. The scooter sounds like a pretty hot ride. I agree with you on the traffic signals being agonizing because I don't think I could wait 90 seconds. It's amazing that no one takes your items from your scooter while your out doing other things. If only that were possible here. I definitely want to ride a scooter in the near future. It also seems that it's easier to move around and parking isn't a hassle. If more people had scooters here, I think the number of accidents would be reduced tremendously. Until next time, keep cruising on your scooter! ;)

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  21. Caitlin, I'm glad you finally bought a scooter. They really are actually pretty fun to ride. I used to own a scooter myself, but I had to sell it. Well stay safe riding on your scooter and have fun.

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  22. 300 dollars? Nice. I had my eye on a scooter ever since I was a kid, but my mom always said it was too expensive. I'd steal one, but that's kind of illegal.

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  23. Hi Caitlin! I'm Eric from your mom's computer class. Scooters are fun, my sister had one when I was little and she would drive me around on it. Also it's really cool how sometimes scooters have their own lanes so you don't have to be behind a car. Anyways it sounds like you had a lot of fun and I hope you continue to have a lot more fun in the future.

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  24. It sounds like fun to have a scooter for only 300 hundred dollars. I Think I want one. I hope you don't hurt your self on that thing. Anyways have a wonderful evening.

    Sincerely Ron

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  25. Hi! I'm Alexa and I'm in your mom's class. I think it is awesome how affordable it was for a scooter. I want one now. Also I find it so interesting how safe you describe Taiwan to be.. That is great. I would love to live in a place like that, where trusting others is such a simple thing to do. I don't think America can ever be like that, sadly. Maybe I will move to Taiwan and be your new neighbor. That would be so fun!

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  26. Hi, this is Vicki again from your mom's 6th period class. I love the way you started the blog it's a cool approach. I can totally imagine how exciting it is to be riding a scooter because I remember riding one in China with my aunt and it was really fun, zipping in and out of traffic. And I just wanted to ask you whether or not there is space under the scooter seat where you can put some stuff in because I remember in my aunt's scooter she had something like that, but I guess every scooter's different. =) I hope you have a fun time riding on your scooter!

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  27. Hi,I am in your mom's class. Your scooter looks so cool and I hope I can drive a scooter one time. That reminds me remember of my country, when I was there my parents used to drive me to school by the scooter.If the weather is hot, I guess that is a good time for driving a scooter. Scooters are small, so we can park it everywhere, not like car. I believe that the only danger is when you get in a accident. Is it easy to drive? Also do you need a license to drive the scooter? I am waiting for your blog every week.
    Take care, Ky.

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  28. LOL you are so cute and funny, Kiera is just like you. Your mom has a picture of you and your boyfriend in the class with that scooter its so cute. It honestly seems like it would be fun to be on a scooter like that. Just be careful because if you fall it will hurt really bad.

    Dianna.

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