The year of 2010 came to a close almost 36 hours ago. This year, I had the opportunity to witness a passing of New Year's in Taiwan, my parents' country. And boy was it different here. While the rest of the world acknowledges the coming of 2011, Taiwan has made preparations for celebrating year 100. Landing in Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on New Year's Eve, the airport was decorated with an LED display of the flag of the Republic of China upon arrival. Outside the main exit, I was greeted by a prominent display of R.O.C. flags, each spaced less than a meter apart, and bordered the entire side of the road until I actually left the airport grounds.
As the day wound down, the hype built around the capital of Taipei's central Xinyi district. Here, an outdoor concert was held by some of Taiwan's most popular artists to entertain the 500,000+ in attendance that night. It was awfully cold, reaching only around 8 degrees Celsius, something very uncommon in Taiwan. Mayday, a very popular Taiwanese rock band, played right up until 15 minutes until midnight, where the real countdown begun.
From then, it was a matter of waiting for the clock to tick down. Taipei 101 erupted into a showcase of fireworks, and sent out a message to the nation. 100 - R.O.C. On January 1st, 1912 (Year 1) the Republic of China was founded after the overthrowing of the Qing Dynasty in China. On January 1st, 2011, the nation celebrates its 100th year on Earth, on an island just east of what was originally its founding grounds in Mainland China.
So Happy New Year to the world. And Happy Anniversary to the Republic of China.
As the day wound down, the hype built around the capital of Taipei's central Xinyi district. Here, an outdoor concert was held by some of Taiwan's most popular artists to entertain the 500,000+ in attendance that night. It was awfully cold, reaching only around 8 degrees Celsius, something very uncommon in Taiwan. Mayday, a very popular Taiwanese rock band, played right up until 15 minutes until midnight, where the real countdown begun.
From then, it was a matter of waiting for the clock to tick down. Taipei 101 erupted into a showcase of fireworks, and sent out a message to the nation. 100 - R.O.C. On January 1st, 1912 (Year 1) the Republic of China was founded after the overthrowing of the Qing Dynasty in China. On January 1st, 2011, the nation celebrates its 100th year on Earth, on an island just east of what was originally its founding grounds in Mainland China.
So Happy New Year to the world. And Happy Anniversary to the Republic of China.
