keeping time

shared community posts and afternoon walks along Binondo-that's what i miss the most. i miss the smell of freshly steamed hakaw filling the air, the soft clackity clack of the horseshoe on the pavement, the taste of freshly imported peaches and plum that the vendor will give you for free just so he can make a sale. i miss wearing a simple white shirt and my fave work jeans to that trip. walking along the estero where i catch a glimpse of the stir fried crabs while the other cook is busy trying to catch the catfish on their aquarium. i miss passing by the hopia factory near san lorenzo ruiz church, where i used to get buchi for a fraction of the cost. i miss mary's old resto, eng lay hiong, where i would have ta mi and chicken and peas. ta mi is dried crunchy noodles. the noodles are boiled in spicy beef broth, so the noodles take in all the flavor. then, they are sauteed with beef strips and a pretty damned good sauce. i miss the Chinese flavors and sounds and tastes. i miss everything Chinatown.