Sunday, March 29, 2009

Temples and Flea Marts



This past weekend we explored Austin a little deeper. This time we visited a local "Flea Mart" and a Buddhist temple, both within about a 10 minute drive from where we live, and both discovered by complete accident.

I think Christy thought the "Flea Mart" would be something like a Taiwan "Night Market", but it was actually just a big outdoor swap meet. There were around 500 little shops in the Flea Mart, but most of them were selling the same stuff, and most of it was crap. We bought the kids a couple of yo-yo's, but one of yo-yo's broke almost immediately. It was probably made in China.

The Buddhist temple was a bit more interesting. I couldn't believe such a place existed in the heart of Texas. Walking into the temple, I really felt like I was back in Taiwan. We were immediately approached by an Asian woman who began talking to Christy like they were old friends. She was from Tainan and they both told their stories of how they ended up in Austin. I'm sure Christy will end up going back there.

(Pictures: 1. The front of the temple, which reads "International Buddhist Progress Society-Austin" 2. Another shot of the temple. 3. Sara posing in front of the temple. 4. People dancing at the Flea Mart. 5. Pinatas for sale at the Flea Mart.)

2 comments:

  1. That's pretty cool that Christy is finding some places to chat with people from Taiwan.


    By the way, when are here crazy parents coming to visit?

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  2. My in-laws keep talking about coming, but I'm not sure when they will come. They've never really left Taiwan their whole lives, so it would be a pretty big step for them.

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