Kashgar Sunday Market

China22 photographs2009

The Sunday Market is now housed in a set of buildings for which the adjective "functional" would be high praise. Still, nobody comes to look at the buildings, and even gawkers find plenty to see.

We're getting there but have stopped just long enough to notice a modern shopping center on Renmin Road.

We're getting there but have stopped just long enough to notice a modern shopping center on Renmin Road.

Renmin is the main east-west thoroughfare. The government building in the background needs no identification.

Renmin is the main east-west thoroughfare. The government building in the background needs no identification.

We've turned north on Binhe Road. The Tuman River flows south from the Tien Shan. The dogs here are for sale, each kept on a taut chain. The

We've turned north on Binhe Road. The Tuman River flows south from the Tien Shan. The dogs here are for sale, each kept on a taut chain. They're not paid to make nice.

Everything's for sale. Firewood, for example.

Everything's for sale. Firewood, for example.

The wood arrives by Araba resinka, a traditional donkey cart with rubber wheels.

The wood arrives by Araba resinka, a traditional donkey cart with rubber wheels.

Vegetables. Note the attempt at ethnic architecture.

Vegetables. Note the attempt at ethnic architecture.

Sheep parts.

Sheep parts.

Where do you think these bananas came from? How did they get here?

Where do you think these bananas came from? How did they get here?

Here's part of the answer. So they came by ship from Guayaquil to Shanghai, then by truck all the way across China? Maybe.

Here's part of the answer. So they came by ship from Guayaquil to Shanghai, then by truck all the way across China? Maybe.

Hardware.

Hardware.

Potted plants.

Potted plants.

Carpets and brooms.

Carpets and brooms.

Luggage.

Luggage.

Shirts.

Shirts.

Fabric.

Fabric.

More fabric.

More fabric.

A grand miscellany.

A grand miscellany.

This and that.

This and that.

Yogurt.

Yogurt.

A barber.

A barber.

Brunch.

Brunch.

Break for billiards.

Break for billiards.