Did you know that Chinese people are dirty and that Chinese city streets are full of trash? Did you know that Taiwanese people are dirty and that Taiwanese city streets are full of trash? Well if you ask a Taiwanese person that's what they will say about China, and if you ask a Chinese person that is what they will say about Taiwan. Granted in both cases they have probably never been to the other country.
I have been to both countries and a few others, and I can easily say that all humans are dirty and their cities are full of trash. Regardless, Taipei does seem to take this to another level. Taipei city streets are littered with discarded food and household trash that people throw out instead of waiting for the trash trucks to come. Vacant lots, public parks, abandoned homes, quickly become dumping grounds.
The one..."benefit" of all this is that stray cats and dogs (as well as monstrous rats) have plenty to eat. When it comes to dropped/discarded food, it's kind of a chicken and the egg scenario where is it because of all the food that there are stray dogs, or are people dropping the food for the stray dogs.
The trouble for me comes when walking my dog. I like to think that my dog and I are good friends, but she is and will always be quick to abandon me for some street food. I cut her some slack cause she used to be a stray dog, but it's quite troublesome when you are out for a walk and she darts off because of some food on the ground. I've told her that I'm not waiting for her, so it's up to her to find me when she is done, if not than she gets to return to being a stray dog. So far she has still found me, even if I'm twenty minutes away by the time she catches up.
But perhaps one day she will choose to stay out in the all you can eat street buffet. And I will be free of her annoying burden...oops I mean I will be heartbroken. Gotta be safe in case she learns to read and finds my blog.
