Ever needed an outdoor fireplace? It’s hard to imagine that in Taiwan anyone needs one of these features built-in, but there are certainly a few times in the year when the temperature drops down to the low teens or below.
That’s when I start wishing for a little bit more in the way of creature comforts: central heating, carpets, double or triple-glazing, and other benefits of modern living. Taiwanese houses often seem pretty ‘basic’ in the winter.
Most of the rest of the year, it’s just fine. The hard floors seem to keep the place cool, and the concrete walls serve the purpose of staying in one of the frequent earthquakes.
It’s just every so often I hanker for a little of the ‘West’ more luxurious standard of living. Now, we’re facing another seasonal low-temp bad weather all rain weekend. Ahhh!