Scenes from Chinatown, NYC

New York City Chinatown, it pulses with a frenetic energy threading through busy streets, a host to foreign sights and sounds, colorful Pashminas, fake handbags in secret rooms, and every mass-produced consumer goody that you could possibly dream of. But for me, my Chinatown is filled with annual traditions visiting my grandmother with my family, like hot Horlick in bakeries, weekend dim sum, and strolls through Columbus Park. Some lovely scenes from this weekend's visit...

{ Canal Street + Taipan Bakery, my fave }

{ Taipan Bakery now makes papaya and green tea flavored egg custard tarts! }

{ fish market on Grand Street }

{ chickens, mmm }

{ life-sized Homer Simpson on Mott Street, why not? }

{ view of famed Mott Street }

{ red fire hydrants, special to Chinatown }

 { the custom dress shop where I had my tea ceremony wedding gown made }

{ perfectly crisp Peking duck }

{ what dim sum looks like on a Saturday morning, Jin Fong Restaurant on Elizabeth Street }

{ where my grandmother spends her days, playing mahjong }

{ Columbus Park in Chinatown near the Senior Citizen Center }

{ musicians playing ancient Chinese instruments }

{ tai chi master teaching a pupil in Columbus Park }

{ children dressed in the traditional Qing dynasty garb, according to my mom }