Chinatown

You might have heard that NY has a Chinatown too, just like San Francisco. I had heard that the one in Frisco is bigger and better but after having seen both, I beg to differ.

We went to the one here yesterday again and had the chance to check out markets, vendors, eat Dim Sum and even get massages. We went with a friend of ours who recommended the massage place. All three of us walked in and got an appointment for an hour later so we walked through alleys and markets for an hour.

It is unbelievable what you can find there. Everything from fresh produce, dried herbs and vegetables, fresh, fresh, fresh fish (and frogs), lots of bakeries and shops where you can buy Asian imports and all sorts of cookery gadgets. I was in heaven and wish we’d had more time to explore. This is one of those things I have to do by myself though, not everyone shares my enthusiasm for woks and dried mushroom varieties….

Our massages were much needed and not relaxing. Not sure how many times any of you have gotten massages but I always think of them belonging in two different categories. You either get a relaxing spa massage (with oils, soothing music and maybe even those hot river stones) or you get the therapeutic S&M massage (torturous pulling, kneading, cracking and smacking). We got the second one of course since we were in Chinatown. Come on, I don’t think you’ll ever get a relaxing spa massage in Chinatown or in China for that matter. They’re all about pressure points, acupressure, acupuncture, reflexology, etc.. The great thing was that all three of us came out of there loose and unknotted. The prices cannot be beat. For an entire hour we each paid $40 (and we tipped $10 each). That was their maximum price on any of their services. They also do all the things mentioned above (acupressure, etc.) and I’ll definitely be back for acupuncture. Hoping that once we are done buying furniture and paying off some stuff, we can go there at least once or twice a month. With all the stress, it’s nice to do something to unwind.

Here are some pictures we took while walking around.

Yes, for eating