CHING CHONG CHA!

My first "official" excursion alone was right down the very guts of the city beast towards its derriere... or certainly what smelled like its derriere, China Town. Slowly but surely all semblance of Western culture disappears as Lafayette mutates into Centre Street. The air is buzzing with the bustle of business as vendors, restaurant owners and herbal doctors peddle their wares. This place is so authentic that I had to keep reminding myself that was actually in America. In fact, the only thing that alluded to my true location were the $USD being used in every transaction. 

My theory that China is taking over the world was fully confirmed when I noticed that half of Little Italy (which proudly displays the Italian paraphenalia on every street light) is nothing more than a row of Chinese shops.

After much wandering around, I noticed my precious little feet started to feel tired and achey, so  I promptly treated myself to a foot massge whiched turned out to be every bit as rewarding as I had hoped, though sadly did not include a happy ending.  See below

It was a happy ending for me though as I spent the rest of my afternoon at The Golden Bridge resaturant gobbling up the most delicious dimsum that I have ever tasted, all for $9. The pastry was light, the ingredients were superior and best of all- didn't taste anything like dog. YUMO!