Hey Doc

Its the tradition that the city of Taipei puts on the New Year's celebration party in front of the city hall. It so happened that the world's tallest building - Taipei 101 is it's neighbor which they also celebrated the New years with a fantastic fireworks display. This double extravaganza draws hundreds of thousands of spectators to this tiny 5x5 city blocks area. Due to the mild Winter weather we are having, the organizer estimated more then 400,000 people will be there this year. Last year's attendant estimated was around 300,000 and the temperature that night was 39 degrees.

More photos here

I watched the fireworks from my balcony last year, so I have decided to see it up close this year. I know the area will be crowded so I went early with my friend to secure a good spot. But little that we know!
I took a walk to loosen up my tight leg muscle at around 10:00PM. The adjacent street area was packed with people as far as my eyes can see. The MC on the stage kept reminding us to avoid pushing and shoving in the crowd. All of a sudden I had this image of the stampede during the pilgrimage in India.
The fireworks was spectacular. There was even a bonus fireworks display from a building nearby. This was a total surprise because I have not seen or heard in the news about this and I believe the people there too.
Here comes the grime reality of this event. How are you going to evacuate 400,000 people from this area? Luckily the people responded in orderly fashion but we were stuck in the crowd for over half and hour shoulder to shoulder inching forward. As we were leaving the area, there were trash everywhere that you can't avoid to step on one. If everyone can take back the stuff they brought in and we will not having this problem. I praise the street cleaner of Taipei. Without them, we will be living in garbage city.
I have noticed that any eateries that were still open in the area were making a killing. What a business opportunity, 400,000 hungry mobs.
Happy New Years !!