Markets

While my dad was visiting we went to many of the markets in Hong Kong.  I have already described Stanley Market, so I will leave that one out, but tell you about the others.

Ladies Market

The Ladies Market is in Mong Kok which is a section of Kowloon.  It is several blocks of stalls on both sides of the street.  While the name makes it sound like it is all for women, it is not.  There are purses, electronics, jewellery, clothes for men, women and kids and knick knacks.  As with all of the markets, it is hit and miss on what you find.  You have to be very cautious about buying any electronics.  Always ask to test the electronics first and always ask for "best quality".  Many times, what they have sitting out will not be a very good quality.  Never pay the initial asking price.

Jade Market

I wanted to go to the Jade Market because I have read several books that mention it as well as hearing about it over the years.  The Jade Market is located in Jordan.  Another section of Kowloon, not far from Mong Kok.  The Jade Market is an indoor market unlike most of the other markets.  It was a bit of a disappointment to me.  I was expecting a large market with many different things made from jade.  It was not that large, a medium sized warehouse.  There were many different necklaces and earrings as well as some jade sculptures.  However, most of what I saw I have seen before.

Night Market

The Night Market is in Yau Ma Tei, yet another section of Kowloon which falls between Mong Kok and Jordan.  The Night Market has many of the same things found in the Ladies Market.  What makes it special is that it is at night and therefore lit up.  There were quite a few people walking through the Night Market and it seemed much more lively than some of the others.

Besides these major markets there are sections of the city where you can walk down streets that are lined with stalls.  Many of these stalls contain food items as well.

The markets are always fun to walk through.  It is a little like walking through some of the streets in different cities in Mexico.  I have come to enjoy bargaining now that I have been here awhile.  Part of it is that I have become more acquainted with the prices of items.  I love listening to the people say, "For you my friend" or "You are a very nice person, so I give you a deal".  I enjoy the smile on their faces when they feel they have accomplished something in the bargaining (I like to negotiate back and forth so that we both feel we win).

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is our first real holiday spent here in Hong Kong.  Obviously, Thanksgiving is not a Chinese holiday, so it is not widely celebrated here.  Back in the States, this is one of my favorite holidays.  We usually host Thanksgiving at our house so there is a lot of preparation that goes into the planning.  It also puts me into the holiday spirit and is a big step in getting ready for Christmas.

This was our first year that we didn't really celebrate Thanksgiving.  PJ had a basketball tournament with two games on Thanksgiving day.  We were hosting two boys from Singapore for the tournament.  Grace and Meg still had school on Thanksgiving day.  My father arrived on Thanksgiving day.

With all of the games and the lack of a good oven we decided not to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.  We grilled steaks instead.  It was nice to have company, but it really didn't feel like Thanksgiving.  Next year we will definitely celebrate with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.  Perhaps I will order a turkey from a local restaurant to avoid having to cook one in my little, unreliable oven.  I find it necessary to continue to celebrate all of our traditional holidays while learning about some new ones.