Each weekday morning I get my 10,000 steps by walking to a different area of the city.  Ohhhhh…… the things I have seen.  Let’s take the food markets for example.  They can often be found on a very narrow street lined with old apartment style dwellings that have survived the Shanghia city goverment ‘s demolition, at least thus far.

Quarters are very cramped and sanitation conditions leave more than a little to be desired.  It’s not uncommon for someone caring a potty pot to bump into you on their way to  dispose of the families “business” from that morning.  In door plumbing is not aways available and many families live in one room of an multi room apartment.  This is a local toilet.  A nice one I may add.

I digress.  Lets get back to the market.  Here is a great example of bird flu in the making.  I love how the live chicken looks on at his fallen comrades that were sacrificed for tonights dinner.

Not interested in chicken – how about some sea food.  I see this man every morning shelling oysters, scallops and clams.  I have never seen ice or any form of refrigration for that mater – the water source is a garden hose and yes he is doing this on the sidewalk.

If you are in the mood for duck.  It is easy to find one hanging around at your local butcher.

Oh and don’t forget the parts inside – 

Pork is a favorite here. Plywood, a few milk crates, a sharp knive and a pig is all you need to set up shop.  Touchingthe meat before you buy it seems to be encouraged.

As much as I loved shopping the local markets in Paris – I think I’m going to stick with the westernized grocery stores for now.