The market down the road

You've seen this photo of the market our bus passes in the mornings on the way to school - hard to miss as our bus often squeezes its way through a throng of people buying and selling fresh produce (other items are sold at the top of the street). It is a peculiarity of China that morning markets will spring up on various streets, with vendors simply appearing and putting their wares on the street (sometimes on plastic sheeting, sometimes in plastic tubs or bamboo baskets and sometimes just straight off the back of their electric bike) - it seems that this is tolerated and somewhat policed as at a designated time (7.30am in our case) "official" people come by to ensure that everyone is moving on and the street cleaners move in to mop up the mess - and mess does not adequately convey the situation on some mornings!

This is a truly amazing event to observe - and if we have Alex and Sebastien with us then we are observed too - and to see all the varying fruits, vegetables and animals on offer. Whilst Alex has been there a couple of times, she hasn't seen some of the "hairier" scenarios involving live produce and is more interested in the long strip of fried dough (almost like a donut that's been unravelled - but not sweet) that she is certain she can con out of one or the other of us. I didn't think to get a photo of it but will have to one of these days!

Brett has wondered through with the camera - and in truth he is much gamer than I about taking photos of anything and everything - so I shall leave it for him to post about it - complete with photos. The ball's in his court!