We headed out for another Sukkot scavenger hunt, destined this year for Chinatown (read last fall’s post on our adventure in Millenium Park.). Now, you might be wondering what two families who keep kosher would do in Chinatown? I was too, but what I hoped would occupy us for an hour, turned out to be a nearly three-hour adventure. We shared so many laughs, that by this evening, we were still laughing. The kids all felt like they’d visited a foreign country, and the only money I spent was the $10 parking and the $5/each I gave them to buy a chotchke of choice.

Here was our mission:

  • Take a photo of lotus root
  • Find pitaya (buy and eat it too?)
  • Take a photo of a Chinese lantern
  • Take picture of the tiniest Buddha you can find.
  • Nine Dragons: Take a portrait in front of the Nine Dragon Wall
  • Take a picture of the Chinatown Gate
  • Take a picture of the Dizang Buddhist Temple
  • Buy a chotchke
  • Find a Chinese Grocery Store and explore the kinds of food you can get.
  • Along with fish, you can find _____ and _____ at traditional Chinese markets.
  • Write your name in Chinese

And here were our results:

Nine dragons wall. Doesn't everyone bring a dog on a Chinatown adventure?
Nine dragons wall. Doesn’t everyone bring a dog on a Chinatown adventure?
Lanterns galore. We might have bought them for the sukkah, but alas, rain was in the forecast.
Lanterns galore. We might have bought them for the sukkah, but alas, rain was in the forecast.
Who needs an umbrella for a sheitl?
Who needs an umbrella for a sheitl?
See this gate? We actually built it for a 3rd grade Chicago Project model. Next time, my kid is picking the John Hancock.
See this gate? We actually built it for a 3rd grade Chicago Project model. Next kid is picking the John Hancock.
Every 3-year-old should be able to identify Lotus root.
Every 3-year-old should be able to identify Lotus root.
Smallest Buddha, or "budda," as the kids thought it was pronounced.
Smallest Buddha, or “budda,” as the kids thought it was pronounced.
Why bother cutting off the head before barbecuing the duck?!
Why bother cutting off the head before barbecuing the duck?!
Me: Is that a real turtle? Sales lady: $10 dolla Me: What does it eat? Sales lady: $10 dolla Me: How big does it get? Sales lady: $10 dolla
Me: Is that a real turtle?
Sales lady: $10 dolla
Me: What does it eat?
Sales lady: $10 dolla
Me: How big does it get?
Sales lady: $10 dolla
Even the Chicago Public Library has lion statues in front.
Even the Chicago Public Library has lion statues in front.
Happy shoppers. Yes, they bought the turtles.
Happy shoppers. Yes, two of them bought the turtles.
Can't decide what to buy in Chinatown? Buy a surprise gift! For $2, it comes wrapped in Chinese newspaper, and then "you get what you get and you don't get upset!"
Can’t decide what to buy in Chinatown? Buy a surprise gift! For $2, it comes wrapped in Chinese newspaper, and then “you get what you get and you don’t get upset!”

Published by granoladox

A mother and wife enjoying lots of yummy, healthy food and hoping to share a bit with you.

4 thoughts on “Chinatown adventure”

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