Like other large cities of the world, Taipei has heavy traffic and a bustling atmosphere in daytime hours. People lead busy and tensive lives. For those who want to breathe fresh air and enjoy a more peaceful time, getting up early has its offerings. At dawn, street lamps still shine and the air is filled with fog. Another day comes alive with a series of activities of early risers. Scavengers begin to sweep the streets; merchants of morning markets rise to get their stock ready for early customers. Members of the Early Rising Association also appear. They advocate getting up early, at about 5 a.m., to exercise in the park, by the riverside, on hillside, on lawns or along streets. Their exercises in the early morning include fistic arts, fencing, calisthenics, folk dancing, walking and mountain climbing.
There is another group of swimming fans. They go swimming in the early morning all the year around without being stopped by bad weather. Bird owners also get up early to take their pets out with them for fresh air. Bird cages are hung on tree branches, and the birds sing cheerfully, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere of Taipei's early morning. After completing their exercises, the early rising people chat with one another, promoting friendship, and often go to breakfast together.
Chinese Mainland Jokes
A Japanese businessman asked a mainland factory worker, "What would you do if you ran out of ration tickets for food?" "No problem," the worker said. "We just borrow against future rations."
"But how can you pay the tickets back?" the businessman asked. "You can't go on borrowing forever."
"Of course not," the worker assured him, "Communism's not going to last that long."
A European visitor to Shanghai asked about the most popular styles among the Chinese Communists.
"Our golf suit are at the top of the list, "he was told.
"A golf suit? What's that?" the visitor asked.
"A padded jacket in first-class shape, "came the answer. "Most of them have a lot more than 18 holes."
Rain leaking through the ceiling wakened an American journalist in his Canton hostel.
"Does the roof always leak like that?" he asked next morning.
"Only when it rains" came the quick reply.
Early risers do exercises
Birds sing on a cheerful morning
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