Greetings from Taiwan

**Capper** · June 4th, 2007

Well, I made it......

After leaving Las Vegas at 2pm yesterday, and spending part of the night navigating the International Terminal at LAX (which sucks ass), I finally boarded a plane at 1am PST for Taipei. Let me start by saying, I'm not a little guy, right now I'm about 6"1, 270lbs (I need to lose a bunch of weight). So, in a plane that was obviously made with people in the 5"1-5"3, 110-120lb range, EVA airlines decides to put me in the smallest seat in the entire plane, and next to two obnoxious 3-5yr old kids.....for 16 hours......Now top this off with a back that, to put it mildly, is way past fubar....and you can understand that my day got off to a real crappy start. Then add in the fact that the company that sponsored my trip.......suffered an internal miscommunication and didn't have anyone at the airport to pick me up

....and you have the next Mastercard commercial.

Literally, 5 1/2 hours after might flight arrived, the only people in the terminal were me, and two people who looked real bad, and who were wearing surgical masks....which didn't make me feel better (The only way this gets better is if I come home with SARS). So, after finding out that my cell phone wasn't really set up for international service (thanks obnoxious and rude T-Mobile Guy), and my lappy battery being dead, I had to call the US Embassy, and relay to my wife to have her call the company and remind them I was still sitting at the airport....This was all a problem because the company switched my hotel at the last second, and told me the person picking me up would give me the details.....good times......

So anyway, after a $60 cab ride, 40 hours without sleep, and barely able to walk because of my back....I'm here to bring you the best of Computex....look forward to a lot of information and pictures over the next three days, topped off by a couple days in Hong Kong and China visiting with ECS staff and touring their factories.......the things I do for you guys

DeanOlicious · June 4th, 2007

Damn dude. That sucks.

Here's to a better trip. The masks weren't for SARs I hope, maybe it was just for TB lol.

**PrOLifIC_onE** · June 4th, 2007

WOW. Sounds like a bummer man! You must love us!!

**RAID** · June 4th, 2007

nothing to worry about, the sars outbreak was in china... or was it taiwan also... ah shoot

**Capper** · June 4th, 2007

Its all good, I plan on having some fun and bring home something for you guys...hopefully not SARS or TB (you guys are real supportive)

Pete · June 5th, 2007

and after all that, you realize that your in Taiwan and that its an island where the humidity is 99% and that its hotter than a overheating CPU outside. You step outside and a car almost runs you over and before you know it you have to dodge cars left and right for you life! You make it safe across the street but then it hits you. That pain in the stomach from what you ate last earlier but didnt know what it was. You run to the nearest facility and open the stall door. And there it is... a hole in the freaking ground. But this cant wait, you have to go... You put your hand on the side of the wall of the stall to support yourself as you do what is commonly referred to as the Asian Squat, praying that your pants are out of the way... And to make everything worse, there's no toilet paper!

to be continued...

**Capper** · June 5th, 2007

Having spent my share of time in Thailand and Panama, I was ready for the heat/humidity......but stepping onto a plane in Vegas (104F, 20% humidity) and stepping off a plane in Taipei (87F, 90% humidity) does kinda kick you in the jimmy.

I'll stop by and smack Ramsom at the TT booth tomorrow for you Pete. On a related note, after spending the weekend working on the review of the TT iXoft, I decided to use the trip as some "real world" testing. I'll be posting the review on monday, so make sure you check back

**Hitman** · June 5th, 2007

For those of you that have never been to Asia, its very common to see people wearing masks over their faces. It's a combination of several things. Some wear them because they are sick, others wear them so they don't get sick, and others wear them at a poor attempt to save them from the horrible smog in most Asian Cities. Some countries actually have a law that if you have a communicable disease you are required to wear a mask in public.

Sorry about your crappy trip. I totally understand what you went through, having been through similar situations myself. You're right planes are not made for Men over 6' 200lbs. Flying is absolutely miserable.

Beetle Bailey · June 5th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTPete

and after all that, you realize that your in Taiwan and that its an island where the humidity is 99% and that its hotter than a overheating CPU outside. You step outside and a car almost runs you over and before you know it you have to dodge cars left and right for you life! You make it safe across the street but then it hits you. That pain in the stomach from what you ate last earlier but didnt know what it was. You run to the nearest facility and open the stall door. And there it is... a hole in the freaking ground. But this cant wait, you have to go... You put your hand on the side of the wall of the stall to support yourself as you do what is commonly referred to as the Asian Squat, praying that your pants are out of the way... And to make everything worse, there's no toilet paper!

to be continued...

You forgot to mention the bicycles and mopeds.

Glad you made it Cap.

Looking forward to seeing what all ECS is coming up with in the near future. I hope the rest of your trip gets better, Bailey.

**Capper** · June 5th, 2007

My favorite all time picture was one I took in Thailand....and entire family of five on a scooter.

It was strange, I've been all over the world, but this is the most health warnings and such I've ever seen. They are all over people who don't feel well, or even look well.