A Bluestocking Knits

The other day we went to some of the markets in Mongkok, on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong.  We started off at the Goldfish Market in Sai Yeung Choi Street — a fascinating array of shops and stalls with all kinds of aquarium fish, some in tanks and some ready for the asking, hundreds and hundreds of them.

Further along was Fa Yuen Street, an outdoor market with this —

tucked behind.  Didn’t get to go in as it was closed for the day, but I took a moment to appreciate those surreal mannekins from the shop next door.

Not far away was the Flower Market, a number of blocks packed with cut flowers and small potted plants.

Around in Yuen Po Street is the "Bird Garden," a market and gathering place for bird-lovers.  Tiny open-air shops line the path, selling birds, beautiful wooden cages and little porcelain water bowls, and all sorts of accessories — including grasshoppers to feed to the birds with long chopsticks.

Songbirds are very popular pets in China, especially with men — perhaps connected with the belief that the birds bring good luck.  The cages have a small handle on the bottom, so that they can be carried in one hand — men gather here to socialize and give their birds an airing, hanging the cages from tree branches and various poles hung along the path for that very purpose.  It’s kind of weird and sweet at the same time.

A very hot day, in the low 30s C and humid with it, so we moved slowly and drank lots of water, but enjoyed the afternoon immensely anyway.