On the Hunt

We went treasure hunting this weekend. Over a year ago, we discovered one of Shanghai's "antiques market," which is really just a big warehouse of old stuff, mostly junk. But "one man's trash..."

Funny enough, we bought two of the same items we had found the last time: another abacus and another cherry wood watering jug. Plans aren't entirely set for the abaci (abacuses), but I'm envisioning a wall of them if we're able to find more in the same size and of the same quality. As for the new watering jug, it's in much better condition than the first one -- and two are better than one.

The big treasure this time? Two halves of a beautifully-built table. A versatile piece we thought would make sense for our next home, whatever it might look like and wherever it may be. We're cautious of picking up big pieces here, as much as cheap treasures may tempt us -- considering the likely small size of our future apartment in San Francisco. If we even find one. Don't get me started on the real estate market there; I'm absolutely positive apartment hunting won't be as much fun as treasure hunting.

Pudong Antiques Market:
1788 Ji Yang Road, near Shangpu Road