Markets

Continuing my string of sleepless nights, I woke up extra early this morning to go to Prince Edward. H5N1 didn't even cross my mind as I read signs warning about the dangers of feeding feral pigeons. I'm glad I didn't bring sandals. The Yuen Po Street Bird Garden was just getting started with a few old men and women feeding birds live crickets (with chopsticks!). I didn't really know what to expect, more birds maybe, but it was a bit of a letdown.

Over at the Flower Market, I saw some incredibly beautiful flowers selling for very little money. This is a wholesale clearinghouse; fresh blooms cost much more elsewhere in the city. I couldn't overcome the feeling of grunginess as I walked through these streets, maybe it was all the water running everywhere.

The school year goes until mid-July. Kids two weeks off for Chinese New Year though.

At night, after dropping my laundry off ($18HKD for 6 pounds, washed, dried and folded! Yes, they weigh it), I went to Lok Yuen King of Beef Ball to sample some fish noodles. They're actually made from flour and fish, and rolled or extruded into noodles. I had to ask for the English menu, as I couldn't even figure out how to say cuttlefish in Cantonese (it's "ink-fish"). Table sharing is common here; it seems mannerless to not even acknowledge the people eating food with you.

Later, I walked through Ladies' Market. It's hard to describe it, other than to say it's really big and garish. Bright flourescent lights and vendors selling all manner of cheap clothes with savvy tourists haggling over everything. I also dropped by the Temple Street Night Market, but they all kind of seem the same to me. On the walk back to the MTR station, I saw several old women selling discounted sex toys.

You can truly find anything and everything here.