Hey Hey and a Big G'Day toya,

Here in China it is all about Snacks!

They are found on almost every street corner of every city, town and village and don’t even get me started on what can be found near bus or train stations and market places. After a huge meal the Chinese usually head outdoors for a digestive stroll throughout which small treats known as 'Snacks’ can be found on most street corners. Most of them are found on the typical Chinese three wheeler portable snack shop or eatery and for those who have never been anywhere in Asia this simply means a three wheeled bike that has been modified into some type of ‘portable eatery’.  

Some can be found grouped together on the same corner most days and/or nights and others travel around the place from hour to hour to find where the hungriest crowds are.   

The photos in this blog were taken most during winter when it was too cold to ride so I would rug up and walk the seven kilometers into the city and most times take a detour through what I call the ‘Market District’ in search of a new snack or treat before walking the seven kilometers back to my county. When both travelling and moving schools, the first thing I do in a new city/area is to wonder around without map or plan for the day. For most of it I actually have no idea where I am, in which direction I have been walking and which way is back. This is so I can spend the next half of the day continuing to wonder and hope I spot an area somewhere near where I began. If by mid evening I still have no idea where my sandals have led me I simply hail a taxi and show them my hotel card.

In a split second I am once again found.

Throughout the day I find myself walking through countless ‘local markets’ which never seem to become tiresome or boring. Most visitors to China will usually find themselves in the larger touristy markets and never really take the time to find the smaller ‘local markets’ that are found in all Chinese neighbourhoods. Most have around twenty to fifty to one or two hundred farmers/sellers/merchants all of whom have benches piled high with fruits, vegetables, meats and seafood. Found amongst them is a wide selection of spices, common goods and live animals on offer and for later those whom are a little squeamish should probably steer clear from.

Besides the above all ‘neighbourhood’ markets also offer a large variety of snacks so by the end of the day I normally find that I have tried so many snacks that all I need for dinner is several BBQ sticks and some fruit washed down with a relaxing cold bottle of local beer.

Beers N Noodles toya…..shane

PS: Within the market district here in Shangrao can be found a music school that is housed in a stunning residence of traditional Ming/Qing Dynasty architecture which believe me looks quite out of place but a wonderful find non the less!
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The soundtrack to this entry was by Santana
The album was ‘The Best of Santana’
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