Chinatown was a must; I didn't want to miss the hustle and bustle, and the sights, sounds and smells that are crammed into just a few small city blocks. And because I planned on bringing back a bunch of paper lanterns for garden parties as my souvenir.
I have a feeling these shadow puppets and paper cuts will serve as inspiration for some future project...
I love exploring all the weird widgets and gadgets; I couldn't believe I didn't find a single thing in this kitchen store to bring home. I'm sure at some point I'll think, "Dang, I really should've gotten that corn stripper or little citrus juicer that looked like a faucet you stick into the lemon..." Or maybe not, but they sure were fun to look at.
Sam loved walking among all the brightly colored, dangling kites and lanterns in the kite store.
And he cheerfully tried everything offered to him. He's never had a bit of pickiness in him and I only hope it doesn't come on later!
Clay bought this wonderful beetle as his souvenir to add to his collection in the Thompson Family Natural History Museum. And here are my lanterns, which I deliberated over after visiting several stores. I attempted bargaining, but chickened out at the last moment. They still weren't very much though and I can't wait to string them around the yard all lit up for some festive occassion.
