Busy day

We met the most amazing woman today, after breakfast we were walking through the park on Shaiman Island, watching the locals do ti chi and play badminton. The woman approached us and we started talking. She is grew up in Guangzhou, but actually lives in New York and Hong Kong. She was telling us about the history and traditions of China and then she asked if we wanted her to show us the way the locals live and eat. She was so excited to show us her city. We walked with her for about 2 hours as she showed us neighborhoods and markets, she explained how and why everyone lived where they did. Her ancestors had a silk factory right over the bridge from Shaiman Island. She introduced us to her neighbors and showed us the BUSY market where the locals shop for meat (or live animals), vegetables, and herbs everyday since most people don't have refrigerators. Here is a little bit of our spontaneously wonderful, priceless tour..

This woman is skinning (live) frogs for order, yummy!

Our new friend knows this woman, she washes her dishes and her vegetables in the water that runs down the alley.  She does not have running water in her home. 

Showing us the difference between the homes, and the significance of the doors and the incense that is burned. 

It doesn't get fresher than this.  

The man in the yellow shirt is from Tibet.  He was trying to sell all the locals exotic herbs to heal all that ails them.  A current day "medicine man".  I didn't understand exactly what he was saying, but he sure was a story teller.  

"Our friend" knew this gentleman too.  He was very nice and posed for several pictures.  He sells pork to all the locals who buy their meat from him every day.  There is no need for him to refrigerate it because he knows exactly how much he will need every day.   

The rest of the day was pretty exciting too..

We scored huge points by introducing Watermelon to Finn..  

Making new friends. 

I thought it was so cute when she spotted the paper and pen and knew EXACTLY what to do,  her first masterpiece!
Had to take a trip to the herb and pet market too.  I think it is so crazy interesting.  Our guide was telling us how you go to the doctor here and the Dr. writes you a prescription on a little white tablet of what herbs to buy and to put into your soup to cure you illness.  
But the dried lizards, those are just to put into your steamed rice.  Who's coming to dinner???
Does PETA have a toll free #, wonder if they have ever been down the several blocks of pet markets??? That's all folk's