7-11 by Sean Marc Lee in Taipei, Taiwan

This really captures the spirit of Taiwan as a whole. There is a 7-11 on every block here in Taipei, and you can find dancing ladies like this around the city.

To the average local here, this is probably the norm. I believe an image like this appeals to our western sensibilities because 7-11 in the US is nothing but a place to buy Slurpees, lotto tickets and cigarettes. In most of Asia, it actually serves as a functional convenience store where proper food can be purchased (bentos, tea-eggs, rice-balls, noodles) as well as a capable place to pay bills, recharge your cell phone, make copies, print photos/documents, banking/ATM and well as pretty much having the basics of everything you need compressed into a small brightly lit nicely air-conditioned store.

Name: Sean Marc Lee

Place you live: Taipei, Taiwan

Place your photo was taken: 7-11, Taiwan.

Occupation: Photographer

Preoccupation: Photographer and/or DVD/Blu-Ray Menu Production Artist

What is a perfect day in Taipei? Night time! It’s cooler and the city is neon lit.

If someone was visiting what must they do? Head to the biggest night market here, The Shilin Night Market.

A perfect meal? As of now, it’s a small little noodle cart a block down the alley serving so far the best noodle soup I’ve had  for only 50NT! (Equiv to about $1.50 USD).

A little known fact about Taipei? It’s like the little brother of Tokyo, slightly more relaxed, completely modern, but a bit grungier in a rock and roll kind of way.