China Spring 2016 Part 14

Afternoon of Day 11: After visiting the Garden, we had time to visit the local market in Suzhou and the shopping district which are adjacent to a main canal. Suzhou was the capital of the kingdom of Wu from the 12th to 4th centuries BC. Historically, it was the center of Wu culture, and the Suzhou dialect of the Wu language is still considered the standard dialect even though the language is now often called "Shanghainese".
Today, Suzhou has become a core city of China's Yangtze River Delta economic zone, given its high GDP contribution to China. More recently, it has been a center of the silk trade and a place of gardens and canals. Suzhou has long been a haven for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen, and this is still the case today. We had the opportunity to walk through a crowded market and also the main shopping area of the city. A real contrast between the two areas. On the day we were there, there were many couples having their wedding photos taken. The market was really crowded and noisy with voices and the sounds of chickens cackling and then suddenly silent as they met their fate on the butcher block, but you got a good sense of the local life.

Fish stand, with live eels

Poultry stand

This vendor was cutting up the pungent smelling durian fruit and offering tastes.
It's actually quite delicious once you get it past your nose.

Canals through the city market and shopping districts

Traditional wedding photos

This outdoor tailor's smile was utterly captivating.
Note the foot pedaled treadle machine.

I turned the tables on the paradigm of the Chinese seeking photos with Americans.

Peeking down the alleyways was a different view in the shopping district

Marv was fascinated by the many, many battery operated scooters.

Buick LaCrosses made in China like this one were everywhere, as were
the big billboards advertising them. Geoff told us you can buy a car fairly
easily but then wait 3-5 years to be able to buy the $20,000 license, which are
only awarded by lottery. Note the English on the left and Chinese characters on the right.

Bridges on the river next to the restaurant where we ate lunch.