We have had our first cold snap and it is invigorating. I love the crispness to the air, the kiss of the cold air on the tip of my nose. The air is clear for the first time since I arrived. Smog is gone and I can see for miles. Well, I could see for miles if not for the thousands of buildings in my way. With the weather being so inviting it was time for a long walk in our new city.
Bill and I went out all day Saturday strolling through the streets of a part of town we had not explored. This aimless wandering is becoming our favorite passage of time here in Nanjing. We take a taxi from our apartment to a familiar area and then strike out in one direction and see what we can find. Our journey this weekend started at Hunan Lu, a shopping district that leans toward the higher end and many restaurants representing many different cultures and nationalities. Typically we stay away from the retail areas as the true treasures and bargains are found the in small alley’s with the mom and pop stores.
One this crisp morning we first stumbled upon an open air market. Fresh takes on a whole new meaning here. The fish are not on ice they are alive and swimming in large buckets. Beside the fish you can find an assortment of other edible treats to include, bull frogs, eels, crabs, turtles, shrimp and mealworms. Normally next to the “seafood” is the poultry area; ducks, chickens of various breeds, dove and pigeons. I avoid this area as much as possible, I am not a vegetarian and I love me some fried chicken but I cannot stomach that area. Most food markets also have many stalls of processed meat. Most of the time you can see the cuts and recognize it for pork or lamb, however, a couple things that were not so easily categorized and I am pretty sure there was some canine on the menu. I was told that the Chinese do eat dog, no surprise there, however, they traditionally only eat it in the winter. Some mystical tale is that if you eat dog it will help keep you warm. Needless to say, I will not be trying out this form of winterization. The rest of the market was full of the most beautiful and perfect fruit and vegetables. Watermelon is grown yearly in hot houses, it is a staple for most Nanjingers. There are wonderful tangerines right now, honey pomalos (I am really addicted these), bananas, apples of every color, mangos, dragon fruit, grapes, many nuts and dried fruits. The veggies are wonderful and many I cannot even begin to identify. Onions, leeks, tomatoes of many sizes and colors, peppers, peppers, peppers, potatoes, sweet potatoes, baby basha, kale, carrots and on and on. Mushrooms, dozens of types, the Chinese use mushrooms as a major source of protein, I am learning to use more than the shitake and portabello’s.
Bill and I wandered up and down the aisles saying hello to the vendors, buying a little of this and a little of that. We sampled some fruits that I weren’t sure what they were but most were amazing. It was a great morning that proceeded a fantastic afternoon. I love China.
