Saigon Street Shots

Yesterday marked the end of Lunar New Year celebrations, capped off with what Chinese people call 元宵佳節 (essentially, Chinese Valentine's Day). To celebrate the near alignment of east and west Valentine's Days, Anita and I are going to hunt out some unique hot chocolate concoctions as part of YYC Hot Chocolate Fest today. But before we head out, I just wanted to share a few more of my sad attempts at street photography while wandering around Cholon and Saigon last month. The hustle and bustle of everyday life at street level in Vietnam in unlike anything else, and if you are looking for a new experience in travel and culture shock, look no further.

A pre-Xmas Moment of Zen

HOLY CRAP, Christmas is only 10 days away. Commence mass panic! Okay, now... relax for a second and breathe. Santa Mach is here to bring you a moment of zen. Enjoy another selection of serene scenes from Tibet.

But once you have ohmed your way to complete calm and serenity, resume panicking about finishing up your Xmas shopping. Just try not to forget amidst all the gift hunting, holiday parties and binge eating/ drinking, that there are many folks struggling just to make ends meet in these tough times. A small donation here or there may not seem like much to you, but en masse, these go an incredibly long way to making the lives of the less fortunate easier.

Xi'an Muslim Quarter - Food and Photos

Tasty street food? Check. Photogenic pedestrian street? Check. Is there any question why we enjoyed the Muslim Quarter in the city of Xi'an, China? Most folks go to Xi'an specifically for the Terracotta Warriors, but the Muslim Quarter is definitely a must visit area for anyone who enjoys great (but not necessarily sanitary) food. Don't let the lack of refrigeration deter you... the open air, unrefrigerated meats cooked over charcoal grills were to die for. And did I mention how photogenic the area was at night? See for yourself.






No meat left behind. These dudes skillfully carve meat off of goat carcasses in the open air of Beiyanmen street.






Delicious charcoal grilled goat skewers.
















Stewed goat's feet. Surprisingly yummy.








Chinese style yogurt, served in porcelain jars.


This guy puts on quite the show while working some sugary goop used to make candy.




After sampling the street food, we sat down at a muslim restaurant where you had to rip up your own dense flatbread, which would then be cooked in broth as part of a noodle dish.