Obama-mania still Rages on Taiwan

Still Obama-crazy after all these… months.

You may still find “Barack the Vote!” t-shirts in department stores and night markets around Taiwan.
Together, can we find colorful, fluffy toothpaste-shaped Obama pillows in the Republic of China (Taiwan)? Yes, we can!

“Yes, We Can!” quit smoking! U.S. President Barack Obama inspires a national Taiwanese ad campaign to decrease tobacco dependency in the Republic of China.

Taipei In A Day: Includes Taiwan From A To Z is available here, Amazon.com and at Barnes andNoble.com. In Taipei the book is available at Cherry Valley Bookstore, Tienmu East Road, Lane 8, #99,Tienmu, Taipei (behind TAS)(台北市士林區天母東路8巷99號) (02) 2876-9293.

Thank you again for making Taipei In A Day not only the highest-rated but also the NUMBER ONE highest-ranked Taiwan travel book on amazon.com! --Scott

"Yes, We Can" Learn English from President Obama!

While a recent article depicted President Obama’s public approval rating as “positive, but just barely” as it dipped below 50%, supporters overseas are still fervent that the “Yes, We Can!” president can still inspire markets the way he had once inspired Americans. In fact, in Japan, English language book publishers are quickly printing Obama speeches and selling recordings of his speeches to tap into the $8.7 billion foreign-language teaching industry (see this article to learn more). While you’re more likely to hear candy J-, K-, or Mando-pop blaring at the local salon rather than the Obama Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Taiwanese English-language publications still fill many pages with Obama speeches and related material.

President Obama’s positive messages certainly resonate in this day and age of economic uncertainty, and his speeches are easy for most people to understand. The president also speaks in a clear, slow manner that many people, non-native English speakers, in particular, could understand. The simple, positive catch-phrase “Yes, We Can!” also translates well into many languages, such as Japanese (“Hai, dekimasu!”), Spanish (“¡podemos!” or “¡Sí, Podemos!”), and Chinese (“是的，我們可以!” or “是的，我們能做到!”). To be fair, President Obama took office with a faltering economy and record unemployment, but let’s hope the can-do president can turn the economy around and produce more than outstanding sound bites.

Back At One!

Taipei In A Day: Includes Taiwan From A To Z is available here, Amazon.com and at Barnes andNoble.com. In Taipei the book is available at Cherry Valley Bookstore, Tienmu East Road, Lane 8, #99,Tienmu, Taipei (behind TAS)(台北市士林區天母東路8巷99號) (02) 2876-9293.

Thank you again for making Taipei In A Day not only the highest-rated but also the NUMBER ONE highest-ranked Taiwan travel book on amazon.com! --Scott

Taipei In A Day Includes: Taiwan From A To Z Thrashes Competition!

Taipei In A Day Includes: Taiwan From A To Z has retaken the NUMBER ONE position in its category on amazon.com!

Taipei In A Day: Includes Taiwan From A To Z is available here, Amazon.com and at Barnes andNoble.com. In Taipei the book is available at Cherry Valley Bookstore, Tienmu East Road, Lane 8, #99,Tienmu, Taipei (behind TAS)(台北市士林區天母東路8巷99號) (02) 2876-9293.

Thank you again for making Taipei In A Day not only the highest-rated but also the NUMBER ONE highest-ranked Taiwan travel book on amazon.com! --Scott

Mello Marsh and the Magic Toilet

I've just published my first children's book, Mello Marsh and the Magic Toilet, Adventures in New York.

Mello Marsh and the Magic Toilet, Adventures in New York is an innovative way for children to learn about travel. Mello Marsh, a precocious yet somewhat obstinate boy, encounters an effervescent enchantress named Flushing Fairy, who, at the flush of a toilet, takes him from his home to Times Square and later, to the Adirondack Mountains and Niagara Falls! Join Mello Marsh and Flushing Fairy on an amusing, educational adventure that will have both you and your child laughing out loud. In addition to gleaning insight into the Empire State, you may never flush a toilet the same way again!

For more information please go to http://www.mellomarsh.com

Taiwan Travel Book Slams Competition and Retakes #1 in Category on Amazon.com!

Taipei In A Day Includes: Taiwan From A To Z has body-slammed the competition from the top of the third rope and retaken the #1 sales ranking in its category on Amazon.com!

Taipei In A Day Includes: Taiwan From A To Z is the most comprehensive, up-to-date guide to thoroughly enjoy Taiwan. Discover relics and know where to stay and play by using the included maps, complete Taipei dining, hotel, museum, night market, parks, temple and pub guides. Active globe trekkers will appreciate the detailed Taipei Guide to Mountain Climbing. For a soothing spot of tea, find serenity at Tea Station. Names and addresses are also listed in Chinese, along with local phone numbers, so major attractions and interesting out-of-the-way locales around the island are readily found. Helpful communication tips, important vocabulary and useful phrases are at your fingertips. The encompassing "Taiwan From A To Z" section introduces local cues, customs and important cultural information so readers can be travelers rather than tourists. After reading Taipei In A Day you should be prepared for your visit, whether it spans a month, week, or weekend.

Taipei In A Day: Includes Taiwan From A To Z is available here, Amazon.com and at Barnes andNoble.com. In Taipei the book is available at Cherry Valley Bookstore, Tienmu East Road, Lane 8, #99,Tienmu, Taipei (behind TAS)(台北市士林區天母東路8巷99號) (02) 2876-9293.

Thank you again for making Taipei In A Day not only the highest-rated but also the NUMBER ONE highest-ranked Taiwan travel book on amazon.com! --Scott

Taiwan Travel Book Highlighted in Leading Asia Trend Magazine

Taipei In A Day Includes: Taiwan From A To Z Showcased in Florida's Leading Asia Trend Magazine!

Taipei In A Day: Includes Taiwan From A To Z is available here, Amazon.com and at Barnes andNoble.com. In Taipei the book is available at Cherry Valley Bookstore, Tienmu East Road, Lane 8, #99,Tienmu, Taipei (behind TAS)(台北市士林區天母東路8巷99號) (02) 2876-9293.Thank you again for making Taipei In A Day the highest-ranked Taiwan travel book on amazon.com! --Scott

Taipei In A Day Bests Amazon.com Competition Yet Again!

For the third time in two months, Taipei In A Day Includes: Taiwan From A To Z has bested the competition on Amazon.com!

Taipei In A Day: Includes Taiwan From A To Z is available here, Amazon.com and at Barnes andNoble.com. In Taipei the book is available at Cherry Valley Bookstore, Tienmu East Road, Lane 8, #99,Tienmu, Taipei (behind TAS)(台北市士林區天母東路8巷99號) (02) 2876-9293.
Thank you again for making Taipei In A Day not only the highest-rated but also the NUMBER ONE highest-ranked Taiwan travel book on amazon.com! --Scott

Taipei In A Day Includes:Taiwan From A To Z Retakes #1 Sales Ranking on Amazon.com!

Taiwan Travel Book Retakes #1 Sales Ranking in Category on Amazon.com!

Taipei In A Day: Includes Taiwan From A To Z is available here, Amazon.com and at Barnes andNoble.com. In Taipei the book is available at Cherry Valley Bookstore, Tienmu East Road, Lane 8, #99,Tienmu, Taipei (behind TAS)(台北市士林區天母東路8巷99號) (02) 2876-9293.

Thank you again for making Taipei In A Day not only the highest-rated but also the NUMBER ONE highest-ranked Taiwan travel book on amazon.com! --Scott

Typhoon Morakot

Typhoon Morakot, a deadly tropical storm that slammed into Taiwan the evening of Friday, August 7, 2009, is one of the deadliest to have hit the island. With peak winds thrashing at speeds of 155 kilometers/hr, eqivalent to a Category 2 hurricane, the typhoon dumped over 80 inches of rain, causing Taiwan's worst flooding in history.

Photos are available here.

According to President Ma, "...the scale of damage caused by Morakot was more severe than a 1959 typhoon that killed 667 people and left around 1,000 missing."

Hundreds of residents in Southern Taiwan are dead and thousands are in need of assistance.
To make a donation please contact the Red Cross Society at 886-2-2362-8232.
The Society's mailing address is:

The Red Cross Society of the ROC NHQ
10F 276, Section 2, Chien Kuo South Road, Taipei 106, Taiwan, R.O.C.

台湾加油!