Even with high temperatures and humidity, the residents of Taichung have been rushing to exchange their NT$100 (US$3) bills for NT$200 (US$6) city government-issued vouchers since Thursday.
These vouchers are about as hot as the weather was in Taichung on Friday, summer solstice in the western hemisphere. Despite the sweltering heat, seemingly endless lines of people gathered for a chance to nab a good deal, with 7,000 vouchers sold within just one hour.
With a heat index of about 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), it was the kind of day that could have sweat rolling down your back within minutes of going outside. While citizens came prepared with parasols, hats, fans, and water bottles, they weren’t prepared to find themselves turned away for coming without smaller bills. Fortunately, one good Samaritin took it upon themselves to help others make change so they wouldn’t have to wait in line all over again.
It was hot enough that the Central Weather Administration’s former director Cheng Ming-dean (鄭明典) felt it necessary to post a reminder to citizens to protect themselves from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
Once citizens got their hands on their hard-earned vouchers, many turned right around to spend it in the marketplace. The exchange made it possible for families to take home boxes of higher quality mangoes and other summer delights for a much hotter price, a deal worth the risk of getting heat stroke.
Hanna Bilinski for RTI News