From a recent trip to Taiwan…
Taiwan and its moped.
To people there, it’s just their normal way of getting around, the same way people here have their Civics and Camrys. But to me, and maybe a lot of other travelers visiting, it appears as something more. There’s something about them that’s so much more personal, more liberating, more intimate.
Why personal? I think for the same reason why bicycling seems that way. You feel the road, you feel the air, you feel like you’re part of the world, yet at the same time, are totally in your own, flying.
A mother taking her kids to school, so vulnerable driving around the busy streets like that, but at the same time, still so very safe between her arms. Someday, the girls will grow to be too big to fit all on one scooter. The little one might still remember the mornings standing at the front, flying through the city.
Why liberating? Unlike automobiles which to me are “driving machines”, mopeds seem more like “people movers”. Just to get from one little corner of the city to another, no need to worry about parking, or traffic. On a moped, you squeeze through anywhere, park right in front of the shop, come back out it’s right there ready for you to head off on your way. Go wherever you want. Go.
Maybe on a lazy afternoon ride to the outskirts of the city.
Visit your friend. Put the kickstand down and hike up to the 3rd floor.   simple as that. simply
Why intimate? Because when you’re riding, she’ll need to hold on to you. At a stoplight her arms relax a little. The light turns green, and her hands wrap around again and clench tighter. Maybe it’s late in the evening, and she’s tired, so she’ll lean on your back, resting her head to the side. She can feel your heart beat.
Well! I think my mind and/or heart has greatly over romanticized Taiwan and its moped. It might not be this “more personal, more liberating, more intimate, people moving vehicle”…
But, I sorta like to imagine it that way.
Makes me wanna get one. If only I had busy city streets to fly through, and her to hold on tight as the light turns green.
I guess for now I’ll just take pictures of someone who does.
April 7, 2010 at 10:20 pm
I believe the pictures are gone…
December 6, 2008 at 7:57 pm
My dad had one, but it got stolen.
It does bring back a lot of memories.
“Makes me wanna get one. If only I had busy city streets to fly through, and her to hold on tight as the light turns green.”
is it just me?
October 9, 2008 at 9:39 pm
I went to Taiwan over the summer to! The mopeds were cool at first but they make crossing the street for pedestrians a nightmare!! and the fumes they emit aren’t exactly easy to breathe in…
September 30, 2008 at 6:42 pm
my dad has a moped. and he takes me home on it?
but i rather have a guy who i like to be driving me on a moped. thats cute. lol.
you’re oh so adorable phill. u’ll get your girl soon enough.
September 29, 2008 at 7:54 am
When I studied abroad in China, I used to bike everywhere. And I can attest to that feeling, the wind in your hair and the rush you get when you go downhill is truly exhilarating.
Though I have to admit the mopeds in Taiwan are definitely safer and more romantic. People in China don’t wear helmets (I looked, and couldn’t find any!), and the bicycles can’t really handle that much weight. So what you may have thought would be a romantic bike ride ends up being a flat tire…
September 29, 2008 at 5:18 am
I would so ride a moped. If it didn’t rain, and snow, and hail, and sleet here. Maybe next summer, cause gas prices are just wrong these days.
BTW, those pics are so brightly colorful. Very nice!
September 28, 2008 at 7:06 pm
awww.. with such description I want to buy one too.. I want to ride a moped with someone and hold on to him. ^^
September 28, 2008 at 6:48 pm
let’s all go to Taiwan
and make a beautiful love stories
one of these days
thanks phil for bringing a whole different light about mopeds
little things yet totally amazing
September 28, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I like the color of the fourth picture
My mother didn’t want me riding mopeds in Cambodia, but I really wanted to try it. Sometimes it gets really awkward when you’re in a car, but you’re not talking to the person in the passenger seat.
September 28, 2008 at 2:40 pm
riding my moped on a sunny afternoon with someone i love is the best feeling ever. you’ll find your special someone to enjoy that with you one day, phil.
September 28, 2008 at 12:55 pm
This entry is seriously deep, you looked further into the mopeds and just expressed the many ways they could be represented. Went to China this summer and the place was full of them, kinda blocks traffic though.
September 28, 2008 at 7:33 am
next time say you’re coming to taipei beforehand. (is there a next time?) wong fu’s got a fan here. : )
September 27, 2008 at 9:05 pm
so why’s it that you don’t have a girl, phil?
very romantic. it’s nice.
deeeep.
i like the photos
September 27, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Never thought of looking at a moped like that before ..
September 27, 2008 at 7:11 pm
wow makes me wanna get a moped too lol
awesome photography skills
September 27, 2008 at 7:02 pm
deeeep…deeeeeep…deeeepers. so-so-deep. deep-and-dots. nice photo-deep-graphs.
September 27, 2008 at 6:44 pm
that really brings in a different romantic perspective to this huh? not to mention the sheer bravery it takes to actually navigate through those crowded streets with nothing to shield you >.<
i like =)
September 27, 2008 at 4:04 pm
So Wong Fu.
September 27, 2008 at 3:36 pm
crazy pics from taiwan. time to get me a moped
September 27, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Yes-I’ve poked around the boy’s various xangas. awesome stuff! Phil is pretty in depth about relationships.
now why’s a fun, cute, asian guy like phil not taken? beats me! he rocked the boat in yellow fever.
September 27, 2008 at 2:27 pm
wow, that was so deep… awesome… truly awesome…
September 27, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Taiwan seems so fun and exciting. (: I like your perspective on the world as well. It makes things much more interesting.