Rooster Cage

The skatepark in Keelung is just as unique and bold as the rest of the city. It is under the main bridge that will empty out all the visitors from Taipei which come for the night market. 

The park has a lot of resemblances to the South London banks. Maybe not as good, but a similar feeling.  The banks are more than solid. They must have poured at least a boulder the size of El Capitan to build these. They are pretty fun when you get warmed up on them.

Keelung has always been someone else’s possession. First it was the Ming Dynasty, then the Spanish because they lost a war in Macao to the Dutch and they wanted a distribution point, only to lose it to them in the later years. 

Somewhere in between or after, I can’t keep up, the Japanese came and built the harbor that is still there today because it is a deep water isolated port, which made it perfect for WWII fighting the Americans. But because it was such a great naval spot, it was the first sight the Americans bombed in Taiwan.  After that, stumbling-in on the biggest exodus in recorded time of 2 million people, the Chinese showed-up on the doorstep demanding to be let in and give them resources. The Taiwanese were disappointed to see their big brothers act so uncivilized and conflict again exploded.  Keelung was the first place the ROC entered Taiwan. 

 

There is a historic Baroque Mansion where an American Soldier had a bad end with a bar girl, ending in a complete tragedy. The building is still there today. 

I love walking around the city, there is no other place in Taiwan like it. It is a time warp. Every alley has a different kind of restaurant selling customized snacks, or a red light hanging indicating a past economy that served the Navy, during the Vietnam War, that is still allowed by the government. 

I got a little no-comply on the wood ramps on the ocean front. I skated it twice, due to being kicked out, and then sneaking a trick in a 2^nd time. 

Keelung is also one of the few cities still allowing pachinko like gambling halls. Every kind of vice can be found here. Just in this picture there are 3 places that would be illegal in America.  

Had to stop by the old house and see how it is doing. I will never forget my crazy neighbors. They would be awake yelling at each other drinking Bai Jiu until 4am. No one would ever call the police.They were one of the reasons I moved.