QingDao: The Children's Park (Chu Shui Shan) and going shopping

After our breakfast visit to Pi Chai Yuan and a stop at Beer Street, we headed back to the hotel. We had some good 'ol H2O and a bottle of LaoShan Cola in tow. I gotta say, it seems that folks don't drink much water in QingDao. But with fresh beer everywhere, and LaoShan Cola, I can see why. I believe cane sugar is used for LaoShan cola, as it has the same sweetness as Mexican Coca-Cola. There's also a great complex mix of flavors from a variety of herbs and spices. Good stuff.....

After a short break, we headed off to Fifth Aunt's, to visit with the Missus's Mom's cousin and other stuff. Dinner was to take place at the original family home, and Fifth Aunt had mentioned that there was some chicken sold in the market along the way to the family home that somewhat resembled Dezhou Pa Ji (Dezhou Braised Chicken -  德州扒鸡). This was a no-brainer.... we'd pick up some chicken on our walk to the family home.

Fifth Aunt's street ends at the Children's Park (Chu Shui Shan), a place that the Missus had spent many moments at during her youth.

Though the park had changed during the years, there was still the 108 steps up to the walking paths lining the hill.

We meandered around the park a bit........

We had been told that in this day and age, because of the amount of labor available, Fifty had become the "unofficial" retirement age. Here in the states, it would be a stagnating death sentence for many people. But China is such a social country that activities keep folks busy, like the "Grandmother Drum Teams" that play at weddings. And this group of women were having a great time........

The Missus cracked up and told me they were "singing really old Communist songs...."

The men occupy themselves as well.

There's an intense card game taking place on every table.

There was one thing the Missus wanted to see. Firmly etched in Her memory is a grand lake, so we walked around searching for it. The best we could find was this pond......

Such is what the eyes of youth sees...... everything seems so much bigger and grander.

We walked down the path, and made our way across the street.....

Something caught the Missus's eye.......

It was something she "just had to have"...... and these weren't named Jimmy Choo or Chanel. They were roasted yams from a cart that very well could have been around when the Missus was a child.

The older gentleman let the Missus pick the one She wanted, weighing it on an old fashioned hand scale.

I forget how much it cost... it was some minuscule amount. To the Missus this was a priceless taste of Her youth.

This street used to be the "open market" when the Missus was a child. And though there are still many vendors along the street......

It seems the city has done its best to move the vendors that could afford a stall indoors.

The walkway is lined with various vendors.....

And in typical savvy marketing fashion, at each entry is a well stocked stand full of snacks. We ended up spending a good deal of time here as the Missus sampled, and eventually bought some goodies. The peanut snacks to the right was a winner, and the Missus bought some Haw Flakes.... which were the best I've ever tasted.

A bit further down the way was the stand selling roasted chickens.....

Unfortunately, the Missus didn't see the kind of chicken She wanted. After talking to the woman who seemed to own the stand, a cloth was lifted on a pan behind the counter.... and there it was!

After purchasing the chicken, the Missus asked if I could go behind the counter to take a photograph of the chicken. At first the woman was a bit suspicious, thinking that we perhaps a government or new agency. But after telling her I was from America...... well, I got my photo.

The woman happily exclaimed, "oh, good! It's free advertising!" And even moved the chickens so they would look more attractive.

And she even asked me to take a photo of her! You gotta love these folks......

When you visit most of the stands like this one that features different breads (sorry "AZ", still no rice!), you watch the folks working hard in the back of the shop making their goods.

Isn't that how it should be????

 
Like most fresh and open markets (i.e. Mercado Central in Cuzco or Hang Be Market in Hanoi)  , the stands are organized together in sections. For instance the sauces and vinegar section.

And of course, this is QingDao, so there's a large seafood section as well.

As we made our way out the door, we ran into Fifth Aunt and the Missus's Mom on the way to the house.

Here are just a few more photos!

Seeing this reminded me that I still hadn't had "Qsingtao in a bag", which Fifth Uncle told the Missus is quite good.

Not to worry... the Missus had that covered!

I'm aware that this was pretty long post. So thanks so much for reading!

Comments

[Rosa]

I think I love your travel posts the most. The pictures and places you visit really show off the true vibe of the locale.

[bill]

What is so special about the chicken? I bet it was the neck that the Missus wanted ;-) and the second to the last picture I need me some.

[Jeff C]

Kirk,
another awesome slice of life post. Love all the pics too and no its not long.

[Dennis]

Was the cloth to keep the chicken extra moist? Does it have a different flavor to the other roast chicken? Your yam photo brought me back memories too. We had sweet potato trucks come by our neighborhood in the fall (like ice cream trucks in the summer). Ours were bright purple inside though. Anyway fun post as always. :)

[Kirk]

Hi Rosa - I'm glad you enjoy these posts! Thanks for reading.

Hi Bill - It's roasted with a different set of seasonings. Dezhou is a city in Shandong province, and they are well known for their roast chicken.

Hi Jeff - Thanks, as you can tell, we really enjoyed this trip.

Hi Dennis - Yes, it keeps the chickens moist. I didn't taste the other chickens, but I'm pretty sure it was prepared differently. BTW, the Missus loves Okinawan Sweet Potato, and even though we can get it here seasonally, we always get some when we're in Hawaii... it seems to taste better.

[Lynnea]

wonderful post. what a wonderful thought to be able to retire at fifty =)

and that roasted potato looks delicious.

[Sherry]

Always love photos from far-away places. Thank you for sharing. What a fascinating open market ... almost like Nuuanu Chinatown, but on steroids! :)

[kat]

those steamed yams remind me of the steamed sweet potatoes we can buy from vendors in Japan, similar to those you found. love your travel posts.

[Kirk]

Hi Lynnea - The Missus really loved that sweet potato.

Hi Sherry - There are quite a few places like that market in the city.

Thanks Kat! I'm glad you're rnjoying the posts.

[AZ]

I suppose you know that I never miss a China post (or any other mmm-yoso post), and yes I keep searching every picture for the elusive bowl of rice. I told my sister that some areas of China don't eat rice, and her response was "who knew!"

[Kirk]

Hi AZ - LOL! I'm thinking about you whenever I'm doing these posts now!