#43 - Chinatown Adventure

New York City's Chinatown in 1963
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​Although this old photo is blurred and eerie, I have such vivid memories of visiting Chinatown when I was 6. The smells were all so new to me, but I liked the adventure and oddity of it all. 

In this photo, my father wears a jacket and tie and pushes my 2 year old brother in a stroller. I'm hidden behind my sister, with our family friends Bill, Barb and Winston nearby. I remember eating in a Chop Suey or Noodle House a time or 2, but I can't recall the exact places or foods. I so wish I could go back to New York and re-visit this very street... with a better camera.
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Chinatown in Bangkok
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​When we were in Thailand recently, I was thrilled to learn we could visit Bangkok's huge, bustling Chinatown. It gave me a way to celebrate those exotic memories from my childhood. Compared to the quiet looking black and white photo, the Thai version of Chinatown nearly shocked my system! It was exciting to take in all the new sights and smells surrounding me. I loved the crazy, congested, Yaowarat Road with all the neon signs.

I loved the side streets, jammed with tiny shops. We stopped for lunch and shared  a feast that spun around in the center of the table. There were few touristy shops, but I stopped at this colorful store to admire all the red goodies, gearing up for Lunar New Year.

Maybe Another Time
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​I got a little curious looking at my old family photo from 1963. I noticed the sign, Nom Wah and was excited to find the old tea parlor when Googling. The cute little place has been serving since 1920.

Maybe in 2020, I can make a trip to New York and visit Nom Wah for its 100th birthday. It was a young 43, when I saw it last!
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