The Local Marketplace

Today, our guide, Hannah, took us to the local marketplace. For those of you who have never been to an authentic Chinese marketplace, it is quite the experience. Besides the usual fresh vegetables, fruits, and grains, there is also a wide variety of live animals (birds, chickens, snakes, turtles, and yes, even dogs) just wating to be bought to be eaten. Dead, skinned animals also hang from ropes, unrefrigerated. This market also had a large homeopathic section full of a variety of roots, leaves, and spices used for medicinal purposes. The market streets are so crowded with people, bikes, scooters, motor cycles, and cars. Did I mention to look both ways before crossing any street! Nobody stops for pedestrians around here. I feel like a pawn in the old video game "Frogger". You definately take your life into your own hands everytime you leave the safety of the sidewalk As we walked through the marketplace, we felt like walking artwork (actually, it is like this everytime we leave the boundaries of our hotel) We are often the only caucasions within eyesight and everyone is just so curious as to why we are carrying chinese children. I will say, though, that almost every encounter we have had with the local people has been pleasant and friendly.