Qing Ping Market

Qing Ping market (medicine market)

“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark.  The real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”  Plato

Monday we returned to Shamian Island to recheck the girls’ TB tests.  Zoe’s tested positive and so we needed to do an xray but the xray machine was broken.   So Dave took her back with our guide Elsie later and all was okay!

I read that “Shamian Island is really not an island but a sandbank, risen from the waters of the Pearl River and penned into permanency by thick stone walls.  A series of bridges links it to the rest of the city of Guangzhou.   The mini boulevards are bisected by an island-long park, a pleasant stroll of flower gardens, shade trees and statues.   Access to the island was guarded by gates and supposedly by signs that warned, “No Chinese or dogs allowed”.  For Western oilmen, insurers and diplomats the half mile long piece of land became France, England, Australia and a place to be remade in the image of home.   On block after block, impenetrable granite walls went up around roomy European courtyards.  The buildings still stand, strong and imperious.   The people who built them were planning to stay.  But today they have been reclaimed by the Chinese, turned into apartments, offices and military barracks.  Children play in the halls and wet laundry hangs from clotheslines strung across once-grand courts.”

While we were there, the entire island seemed to be under construction, governmental monies being poured into a place where western parents spend hours at the required medical clinic appointment and shopping for symbols of their daughters’ and sons’ heritage and as reminders of a place they possibly may never travel to again.  

After our shopping on the island we strolled across the Pearl River up the bridge to cross the street and entered into the Qing Ping medicine market.  The market is a long street of items such as scorpions, seahorses, leeches, snakes, lizards, turtles and a variety of dried and live creatures, fungus’, fruits, herbs and other miscellaneous items enough to gag the strongest of senses.    All used in the name of medicine.

Next we wondered a pedestrian street called 15 Shangxi 9 Lu Shopping Area which has the feeling of New York City.    It too was under construction with governmental money paying for improvement on buildings which an individual likely will never own.

We finished our day of sightseeing and shopping at the Pearl Market and hopped on our bus for the short trip back to the China Hotel.   Our guide recommended massages at the place across the street - $7.00 for an hour.   We are taking turns with the girls – Dave went tonight and said it was excellent – Mikelle and I will go another day!   We all need one!!! 

Qing Ping market (medicine market)

Scorpions used for medicinal purposes

 Lizards used for medicinal purposes