Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Feral garbage cats - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia


Feral garbage cats - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Originally uploaded by BoydJones

Not sure how in iPhone messed up this photo. In any event, in the central "frame" one can see a feral garbage cat resting on its bin -- its territory. Every trash bin has its own feral garbage cat or two.

Interesting to me that there are so many feral cats and no stray dogs.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Large recycling bin at the local mosque, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia


Large recycling bin at the local mosque, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Originally uploaded by BoydJones

Since Riyadh has no mandatory recycling program, I am glad to see that the local mosque urges recycling.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Bluetooth prohibited says dr-cafe.com


Bluetooth prohibited says dr-cafe.com
Originally uploaded by BoydJones

I assume the Dr. Cafe chain of cafes bans Bluetooth so men and women don't communicate between the Single Men and Family / Single Women sections.

Photography prohibited says dr-cafe.com


Photography prohibited says dr-cafe.com
Originally uploaded by BoydJones

Why in the world would the Dr. Cafe coffee shop chain in Saudi Arabia prohibit photography? High speed Wi Fi is available, but no photography?

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Majed - brings Arabic coffee + dates almost everyday


Majed - brings Arabic coffee + dates almost everyday
Originally uploaded by BoydJones

USI's WiMAX offerings





Majed's fresh dates - some starting to dry - gooey + sweet


Majed's fresh dates - some starting to dry - gooey + sweet
Originally uploaded by BoydJones

Majed provides us with excellent dates and fresh, Arab-brewed coffee almost everyday. Quite a cultural treat!

Male Muslim prayer room sign at the new Nankang Exhibition Center, Taipei, Taiwan


Male Muslim prayer room sign at the new Nankang Exhibition Center, Taipei, Taiwan
Originally uploaded by BoydJones

Taken at the Taiwan Broadband Show in Taipei. There is increasing interest globally in the world's Islamic marketplaces and such shows increasingly cater to religious needs.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Drying bamboo shards, Jiji, Taiwan

Lots of good dietary fiber.

Betelnut detritus - Jiji, Nantou County, Taiwan

Leftover vines picked clean of the precious, semi-narcotic betelnut.

Absentee ballot - including 3rd party candidates

No smoking in the office says Jolin Tsai, the singer

Cake selection, Cafe 85, Linkou, Taiwan

Cafe 85 C is the Starbucks of Taiwan. Cheap but good beverages and inexpensive cakes.

Costco condiments with Chinese characteristics - Taiwan

Whereas Americans only apply hot dog condiments to hot dogs themselves, almost every Taiwanese in Costco loads up plates with the condiments that they eat with all sorts of stuff!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Lu Wei (魯味) in Linkou


Lu Wei (魯味) in Linkou
Originally uploaded by BoydJones

Taiwanese pork truck


Taiwanese pork truck
Originally uploaded by BoydJones
The Taiwanese are rightly outraged with the Chinese milk scandal -- but are food standards that much more sanitary in Taiwan itself?

Guavas for sale, Linkou, Taiwan

Green. Wet. Delicious.

Monday, October 06, 2008

Chong De Shrine, Ji Ji, Nantou Hsien, Taiwan


Endemic Species Research Institute, Ji Ji, Nantou Hsien , Taiwan

As always, a cutesy Asian icon. Endangered species center in central Taiwan.

Ancient graffiti, Great Wall of China


Ubiquitous electric bikes in Beijing - and all over China


Mao said - You are not a real man until you visit the Great Wall


abandoned???


abandoned???
Originally uploaded by sweet_yeng
I wish Taiwan would try to preserve this sort of "cultural resource" before it fades away or turns into a 7-11...

Taipei 101


Taipei 101
Originally uploaded by tobias openshaw
Always felt that the Mainland Chinese must wince every time they see a Japanese firm on Taipei 101 during New Years (e.g., they consider Taiwan part of China and dislike the Japanese in general).

Sticky rice dumplings - Zong Zi

Stick rice dumpling - or alien exploding out of a chest?

Sticky rice dumplings - Dzong Dzi