Or maybe you don't need caution here - as they provide, and require you to wear a horde of protective gear I have never before worn at an iceskating rink! I really was quite surprised and tickled, to walk into the arena today and see dozens of helmets circling the rink and almost as many pairs of kneepads zooming past me as my friend and I gingerly stepped onto the ice. 
Just like you get 'sea legs' it takes a while to get 'iceskating legs' so we were going to make several slow circles to get used to gliding on the ice, as opposed to weaving uncertainly, however, I hadn't been on the ice longer than 5 seconds when a 'safety patrol' man in a bright yellow jacket skated past and said I had to have gloves on. Thanks to my friend, who had been there before, and a helpful man by the counter, we found the little shop, knocked on the little window and bought two pairs of gloves for 2 USD. I decided it wasn't bad, but I was miffed at not knowing that gloves were a required item and not provided, whereas the knee pads were not required, but were provided. Thankfully the gloves proved useful and the kneepads took a break (pardon the word usage) sitting on the bench while I glided around on the ice. So now I can say I have been iceskating in Taiwan...I feel quite cultured. Next time I'll have to tell you about the Vienna Boys choir concert I got to go to a couple weeks ago. Now that was an event to remember!
Until next time,
- R
