Taipei is located in a valley between mountains so usually doesn't get hit as hard as other cities in Taiwan. Friday night a typhoon day was declared. We crazy foreigners went out for dinner and drinks. The weather wasn't too bad yet, just hard rain but not windy. Saturday was a different story. It was also declared a typhoon day and most stores were closed. The weather was much worse. The rain was constantly hard and the wind was almost unbarable. A few brave souls ventured out to purchase food but mostly the streets were empty. We went down the street to pizza hut to get some dinner and that was an adventure itself. We did have one casualty however, my umbrella was killed. I laid her to rest in the apartment's communal garbage can.
Sunday was also declared a typhoon day but the weather was a little better. The wind had stopped but the rain did not. It started raining Friday and literally kept raining all weekend. I've never seen so much rain in my life. And it's hard rain too, not just a light drizzle. The most unfortunate thing was the typhoon came on a weekend so I won't miss any work.
These trees were uprooted just down the street from my place. On Saturday we saw a car with some dents where the trees I'm assuming fell on the car. The owner moved the car before I could get a picture.
As you can see trees were not the only things to be tossed around by the wind.
Pretty much any business with large windows tapes them up before the typhoon arrives.
Yours truly with my back up umbrella braving the 'super-typhoon' to get my coffee. Obviously enjoying every minute of it.
I think I need a new umbrella.
I took these pictures right outside my apartment and as I did I had a couple of locals staring and asking me questions. Of course I didn't understand. This bike is an anomoly, there are very few cruisers here. Most bikes are much smaller and more sporty. The downside to a big heavy bike like this is manuevering is a bit tougher. Here everyone on scooters and bikes weaves through traffic and drives between lanes. It's harder for me to do that but I'll gladly make that sacrifice. 
