21 Jan 2013

yum cha











First a narrow arcade illuminated in fluorescent light and flanked by little shops. There are windows full of golden cats waving merrily at us.  Then a steep red carpeted staircase with gigantic crab tanks at the summit becoming ever visible with each step. Finally a riot of sounds, sights and smells invade the senses. Yum Cha.

Little people mesmerised by dragonfly like waitresses and the clickety-clackety trolleys they manoeuvre, spruiking their wares. They dart here, and there, and back here again. Deft hands and quick tongues advertise intriguing morsels; delicate dumplings, bok choy and streamed pork buns. We answer yes many times and our round table quickly fills to brimming with little bamboo baskets bearing all manner of curious delights.

The babies explore chop sticks and sup green tea from tiny porcelain beakers. We snaffle up the last of the Peking duck almost vulture like as our wee people devour all before them greedily and with relish. There is much chatter, much laughter, and many effervescent questions.

A Chinese supermarket with it's rainbow wrapped offerings beckons and we potter through this other world for some time, lost in wonder. Traditional medicines, bean curd sheets, rambutans in syrup. Dried lotus leaves, pungent shrimp paste and pickled turnip. All encased in colour and adorned by elegant and graceful characters.  I find myself in awe of this complex and somewhat mystical means of communicating. Such an ancient language form steeped in history with its intricate flicks and strokes. It is a thing of beauty.

Our senses are thoroughly satiated with a cornucopia of stimuli. Today we have thrown open the doors of this wild world to our babies as best we can from our suburban existence. Again our adventures have us choosing the quirky trail, the meal we can't pronounce, the sparkly, twangy parts of life that make our blood pump faster. We will show our little people this grand world albeit for now through the windows of a Corolla, not a 747. We will introduce them to its magnificent people.

With full bellies and warm hearts we head home. We will come again soon.

Steph x

13 comments:

  1. Hello there. What a delicious post. The photos, the words, the memories, all of it. x

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  2. Your words are so poetic and beautiful Steph. Delightful images to go along with your words. Look at your happy little boy, these are such sweet photos of him. Wishing you a wonderful Monday, hoping you are getting some of the beautiful rain. xx

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  3. I love Yum Cha/Chinese. When we head out of our beachside town to the bigger cities it's the first thing we always eat for dinner. Have a wonderful week! xo

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  4. your children are v photogenic that b and w one of your little man is gorgeous. And btw you have a lovely way with words too. My take on this would be "we went for yumcha, it was lovely, great fun and the kids ate heaps"

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  5. such learning and loving and enjoying tantalising their senses with wondrous opportunities you give them dear Steph! I could just imagine you whipping up some delightful asian inspired meals now. much love x

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  6. How did you not mistake your babes for yum cha, they are so sweet! ......munch! :)
    Beautiful post!

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  7. We are huge yum cha fans too. Kellie xx

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  8. there is something so enjoyable the market. the various scents of spices and herbs, fruits and flowers that drift in air, the freshly baked bread that reminds you of an earthly painting and the voices that surround your ears. calling out with joy and laughter. the hustle and bustle that excites the soul.

    we don't have a chinese market, but i think i need to head to our market. i could spend the day there with the children.

    i always love coming to your site to relax with my coffee and read. your photos are beautiful and your words paint such a lovely picture.
    xoxo
    liz

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  9. Sigh, I love these images... we need to visit our side of Chinatown more often, it really is such a sight to see for us (and I'm sure for the little ones, too!)

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  10. You make yum cha look so inviting! I do love it though - the egg custard tarts always get me in :)

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  11. Those babies of yours are just delicious! What a culinary experience this would have been for them. I hope your week has been a lovely one x

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  12. Lovely photos. I love yum cha! We actually went yesterday. It was a quiet midweek lunch session, very different to the frenzied weekend yum cha I'm used to.

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  13. Oh we love taking our little ones to yum cha too! delicious! xo

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Your words brighten my day! Thank-you so much for joining me on my adventure. x