Saturday 2 May 2009

For Sale


These fish and turtles are sold from a market stall in a nearby neighbourhood. We were tempted to buy some, but the vendor was clearly giving us 'laowai price': she paused for way too long when we asked her how much things cost, in comparison to the swift replies given to Chinese inquirers. And strangely enough, the fish that the Chinese people asked about were all cheaper than the fish we asked for. So I just took some photos instead.


These fish looked healthy and cared for in comparison with most of the animals sold on the street. There is one underpass in the city centre where tiny puppies, snuffling and shivering, are sold from cardboard boxes. It's all I can do to stop myself buying the whole lot of them. Like kittens and rabbits sold on the street, the puppies will die a few days or weeks after they've been bought, as they're separated from their mothers far too early.

Camera Critters

11 comments:

  1. J, I've been following your blog for a while now and while reading this entry I found myself wondering, "now is this a pet shop or a deli?"

    ;-)

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  2. What an interesting time you must be having! Such fascinating scenes you've shown here. But I can't stop thinking about those puppies...oh, dear, I would be going home with all of them, too.

    Thanks for visiting on ABC Wednesday; I am just now getting around to making some return visits. Loved all the photos of delicious fruit!

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  3. ms toastburner - a good question, as as fish restaurants you can pick you own fish!

    rose - Thankfully China is also full of healthy, cared for pets as well, but it makes me sad to see those poor little puppies. I guess animal welfare is way down the list of priorities here.

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  4. Cool shots ... really like the one of the turtles !

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  5. looks like those turtles are trying to escape by climbing on top of each other....go turtles!!

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  6. Thanks for a little look into what you are finding in China! An adventure for all of us through your eyes.

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  7. J: You should have let the owner know that you knew what was going on. They will give you the better price. I love the turtles in your photo.

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  8. fishing guy: it was a bit of an impulse decision, and the troube is, the owner gave us way too much time to rethink that impulse. Also, it had been quite a long day, and to be honest neither of us could be bothered!

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  9. i love little fishes, the second post is unfamiliar fish to me stunning yellow color, and the last are turtles looks like they are playing around who's with on top.

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  10. I was laughing at your "laowai price" . good thing they didn't charge you for taking photos of the fishes!

    Have a blessed week J.

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  11. hahahaa "laiwai price" i had experienced that and me and my friends turned our backs right away.

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