Woke this morning and lay in bed trying to figure out what I was going to do. From outside my window a lot of noise was making its was to my ear drum. On further inspection I saw about 20 mopeds with riders wearing sashes across their chests. I quickly got dressed and followed the adhoc procession down the street.

I then found myself at the entrance to the wet market. I'd seen it yesterday winding its way along the riverside and thought it looked good, so in I nipped. Sensory overload is all I can say.

For Vegetarians and the faint hearted please turn away now. Avoid the photos.  The meat in particular is a subject not for the squeamish. In china everything is fresh from the source. I.e killed in front of you. It was a brutal experience I have to say but an eye opener all the same. I've been to a few wet markets in China but nothing like this one.  It was in your face. No matter where I turned some Bird was getting boiled, plucked, chopped, pulled out of basket, gutted, or given a good once over before any of the above.

Birds carried off by their legs, craning their necks trying to see where they are going. Ducks, geese, chickens, pigs, cows, frogs, toads,dogs and cats were all likely candidates. Although the pigs and cows were already items in various states of disrepair. I won't go into too much detail with what I saw, or though you no doubt get a pretty good idea. Although the whole thing is brutal it is efficient and quick.What I like about the Chinese way is that nothing is wasted. Everything is edible and it seems most parts are enjoyed. In the west it goes to make cat and dog food or of course the famous British sausage. Chinese love food, and I highly respect the way that nothing is wasted. There is no plastic packaging, no little white tray covered in cling film, no frozen produce, no processed chicken nuggets, devoid of any goodness.Its just what it is. The west has lost that, preferring only to see the end product and cares little about where it comes from. Choosing your chicken disappeared decades ago. Why is that ?

The market acted as a short cut to my already favourite baozi vendor. A friendly couple who told me 'Welcome to China' were there once again to greet me.

I'll take three big ones this morning please. Xie xie ! (meaning -thank you. .. pronounced something similar to 'share share' but said quickly).