Alex Li

The irony of the 24-hour registration rule in China: There are a million cameras tracking my every move, but the state still demands I fill out a paper form to tell them where I sleep.Since I'm with relatives in a smaller city I have to go to the Public Security Bureau. If you are in a large city you can register online, or if you are staying a hotel that accepts foreigners they register for you.

China is one of the few places where an International Driving Permit is invalid. Most city folk just take public transit or taxis, but I have a strong itch to roadtrip and drive some Chinese EVs so I’m spending my limited time navigating the Chinese DMV. I’ve survived the California DMV before so I should be fine, wish me luck!

Song Dynasty poet Su Shi criticized imperial policies and the emperor through his poetry. In 1079, officials accused him of “slandering the court” in the infamous Crow Terrace Poetry Trial, leading to exile. Ironically 1,000 years ago China could tolerate dissent better than many governments treat artists and critics today. Was amazing to see his work in person today in Taipei.

Forgot to do a preflight selfie, just landed in Taipei for btc++, am running around the night market rn