Sanupy,

I am a US citizen that lived in Taiwan for 2 years, and I was over there in May and August of this year also.

The Taiwanese are peaceful people.  There is no need to worry about the protests.  It might cause you inconvenience with transporation if the situation continues, but this is not like protests in Greece or Somalia.  Taiwanese protests are usually very peaceful. Rowty, but peaceful, and that is what has been going on.  Peaceful protests calling on President Chen to step down over corruption allegations.

As with any large crowd demonstration, it is best to avoid them when they do occur just in case.

The Taiwanese are very active and energetic politically.  It is a safe and vibrant democracy, but I'll tell you they really get into it.  They make our election rallies look like childs play!  Drums and street teams and even fireworks sometimes, and of course flyers and colors everywhere.

The East Coast is my favorite place to go hands down.  Toroka Gorge is awesome, and busses leave HuaLian every day from the train station.  Hang Gliding near LuYeh.  Beautiful little hike on a Chinese bridge out to an island at the scenic SanXianTai.  Just the train ride is awesome.  TaiDong has some of the best Aboriginal culture items including the pre-history museum.  And KenDing at the southern tip of the island tops it off.  If you have even more time, hike YuShan, or go to some of the other sites in the mountains.  West coast really isn't all that cool relatively speaking.

Zhu Ni Hao Yun!