Valley Soul

[shapeofthings]

Well actually, it was more like jazz meets pop.

This morning, after enduring the unique torture that is leg waxing, we went to the Valley. The markets were on and we also needed to stock up on Asian groceries, so we decided to make a day of it, myself, Alex and Josh. First stop was a commercial kitchen suppliers in search of a garlic press I won't break. Even the all metal ones only last me 2 years at best. Kitchen stores are a sort of wonderland for me: I worked in kitchens through uni and am a bit of a domestic gourmet, so I oohed and ahhed over lots of utensils as gismos. Came away with a piping bag, ladle, parfait spoons and a commercial-grade garlic press. All good!

Next stop was the Chinese bakery for some morning tea. So good and so cheap! Satiated, we headed to the mall and the markets and perused the wares. I was on a mission for earrings and socks - success on both counts! The sock punks were there again and I bought 2 pairs of knee-high socks: a white pair with little purple stars on them, and a zebra-stiped black and white pair with furry cuffs! The furry ones look ace with my high black boots ;-)

An awesome band was playing and we stopped to listen. I wanted to buy their CD but they'd sold out. Apparently more were on their way but I got tired of waiting and wandered along up to Indigo Cactus where I naughtily bought a beautiful pair of blue freshwater pearl earrings. So pretty! Back to the mall again and we grabbed some curry for lunch, washed down with a mango lassi. Marketed out, it was time for the serious shopping!

We went to the Indian Grocer, the Chinese supermarket and the Chinese butcher. I don't know what I'd do without easy access to ethnic food. I might have to cook boring white people food *scrunches up face* I love my weird ingredients and spicy food. The Chinese supermarket is an exotic treasure trove - all sorts of weird and wonderful things like pickled shrimp and century eggs. Nothing too exotic today though - restocking the cupboards with basics - but I did stop to tease the mud crabs :-p

...the day's treasures...

The Valley is the soul of the city, the sly underbelly. A place where the goths and the hippies mingle with the punks and families. The down and out beg by the station while the well-healed sip lattes down the road. Nowhere else in this little city is like it, and I love it =) Maybe you can see why...