Taipei's Typhoon-Bent Mailboxes

When I saw these mailboxes on the Christchurch Letter Writers Society Instagram page, I had to know more! In 2015, a powerful typhoon tore through Taipei with winds in excess of 200 kilometers per hour. These boxes were slammed into by a sign which cause them to be bent at this angle. In the midst of all the chaos and tragedy, the mailboxes were seen as something to smile about. From Amusing Planet:

"Many Taiwanese think the city’s postboxes resemble faces, and this side-by-side pair, with their poles identically bent looked like a pair of dogs cocking their heads in confusion."

"The mailboxes —nicknamed "Xiao Hong" (little red) and "Xiao Lu" (little green)— became so popular with locals as well as with tourists that the post office decided to keep them in their current shape. The mailboxes still accept letters, and Chunghwa Post now stamps them with a special postmark showing the two leaning celebrities."

While the boxes are typically found near the intersection of Nanjing East Road and Longjiang Road, the head correspondent of CHLWS found them re-stationed in the airport for the holiday. They do look quite festive and fun!