Safety First!

Following up that lengthy previous post with a brief(er) one about dangers and safety. Also included are some completely unrelated photos, for your viewing pleasure - finally got my camera fixed.

"安全第一!" (Safety first!) is something many people here have been saying to me. However, it seems they do not very well follow their own advice...

Crime is not what I am referring to - most of the crime occurring here is petty theft, or scamming. Here, primary dangers come from the somewhat untamed, and sometimes unpredictable environment. This side of Taiwan gets hit by typhoons, landslides, big annual winds (which all have their own names), giant waves, and floods. One must also be aware of sketchy roads, crazy traffic (especially when riding a moped), and deadly critters like snakes, wasps, and other bugs. Knowing this, I always take necessary precautions when hiking, surfing, or driving around exploring. In my two months here, however, I've observed that safety does not come first in the minds of many Taiwanese. For instance:

• Contrary to their friendly and generous nature when you meet them, they are downright mean on the roads. People scooter around with a death wish, and right-of-way is always taken, never given.
• Scuba companies don't check for certifications or have you sign anything. Improper diving can lead to serious injury or death. Yet we saw a guy being taken out without ever having a lick of training, not knowing any of the possible dangers. I decided to warn him, but I think all I did was instill fear. It was too late anyway, he was geared up to go.
• People see others surfing or snorkeling, assume it is safe, and suddenly have a strong desire to join them. Often they forget that knowing how to swim is a requirement!!! This happens all the time, and deaths by drowning are constantly reported.

The dogs here aren't even conscious of their own safety. They lay out in the middle of roads, and I've seen many people swerve to miss them.When someone is negligent, and people die, fingers start pointing, and members of the two political parties find some way to blame one another. This happened last week when a couple tour buses were buried on a dangerous mountain road. An avalanche was caused by a typhoon storm and seasonal winds, and you'd think they would know not to try the road in those conditions.

I have been scratching my head about why people here act and think this way. Could it be that living in crowded cities has sheltered so many for so long that when danger is encountered, it is no longer recognized? Or maybe people here are just brave? Perhaps, but my guess is that blind bravery might be brought on by  desire. The people of Taiwan have gotten used to getting what they want quickly, and cheaply. The most popular activity by far is browsing the night markets where one joins a shuffling conveyor belt to be bombarded from all sides by colors, smells, lights, and deals, all designed to sell goods and foods quickly and effectively. Does anyone consider the health hazards of the late-night street-food? Does anyone consider how quickly that shiny affordable new watch or umbrella is going to break? No! These were Ruth's two purchases and both broke during their first use. Apply this idea of putting off consequences for immediate gain to the same people facing traffic or a fun activity, and you find them all wanting to take shortcuts.

Greasy looking food from a questionable source? To hell with it, it smells great and I'm hungry!
Right of way? To hell with that ridiculous concept, I'm turning!
Scuba certification? To hell with it, let's see some fish!

Ruth and I fell into the same trap. We were on Green Island, and got stranded there. Probably we should not have gone, knowing we needed to return to Taipei in time for our second engagement dinner with Ruth's relatives and family friends. It was a bit of a gamble, but it was her last week and we got greedy. I ignored my gut telling me to not go. The day we were to return, the winds became fierce, and the waves giant, so boats and flights did not run. Feeling much pressure to make it back, we would have taken nearly any mode of transportation offered, regardless of the dangers. But the tour bus accident, the government was playing it safe for a bit. Safety first! Why now?! We frowned at the policy. Thankfully, a miraculous series of events allowed us to make it. I will choose to pull a curtain over those events, for it is somewhat embarrassing that some very high strings were pulled to get us on that flight, at the expense of many more deserving and responsible people. Maybe I should stop apologizing and just say... To hell with them!

Addendum 11/8
I have been thinking about this more the past few days and think I may have been harsh in my generalization of the people here. I had the feeling it was also something else, and I think I've finally pinned it down: in Taiwan, you never get the feeling that you are out of place, or don't belong somewhere. This is probably my favorite aspect about the place, but it can also lead to trouble. any lineup, and there is no sense of localism. They will just accept you and cheer you on as you share in the fun. There is almost an innocence to it all. Like they could bully you if they wanted to, but just don't know to yet. People just don't see much sense in arbitrary power, which is one thing I detest most, and something you see a lot of in other places. It is almost too reasonable. But you can see how this over-welcoming type of environment lends itself to being a bit too accessible to people who choose to do things they probably shouldn't be doing, or are ill prepared for. They know they can get away with it - but by then it could be too late, and nobody would have stopped them from getting into trouble. So let me replay those scenarios, with this idea in mind:

Greasy looking food from a questionable source? Why not! No agency said it was unsafe!
Right of way? Sure I'll take it, they probably wouldn't mind anyways, 'cause I sure wouldn't!
Scuba certification? Nah, no need. It looks fun and nobody is stopping me, so it's probably safe!

Now for some unrelated photos:

This oughta spook a few of you - our tasty hot pot dinner from last night
From near to far: duck blood, duck testicles, duck uterus

Me, above a river

Some pieces of jade found in a nearby riverbed