苏州映象

Tub went back to Soochow this summer, where we grew up and our parents,and my big extended family, uncles and cousins, lives (and thrive).Soochow has been one of a booming town, thanks to its proximity andcloseness to Shanghai, attracted millions of investment over the years.As everyone coming back from China, the news are elevating: newbuildings are rising, highways are well-connected, people are gettingrich!Cousins are buying or talking about imported cars (most popularbeing GM buick), spacious condos (unlike what considered a "crammed"nest lived by parents generation), and planning for travelling.

Cousinsare talking about cars, of cars, condos, traveling, that's coming withnew economy. An inespcapable necessity among the social circle is food.Hence during a week and a half stay at the hometown, Tub went to dozensof banquets, with one trumping another in variety of food, ornewness/fineness of the surroundings.

Though in the end, what welike most was the new type of teahouse: where you could sit, sip teafor the whole day, and pick up bowls and bowls of local delicacy (dimsum) for a price of 28 yuan per person.

tea for old, simple Wonton house that brought back all the childhood memory.