I wonder if the Henderson's night market is still going on?

(3/24/20  - I took the pictures and wrote the text for this post a couple of months ago. I haven't checked recently, because we're staying home, but I think that this first photo IS the view of the market during the pandemic of 2020.)

BTW, I have five more posts 'in the pipeline' that were done before all this trouble started. 

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It occured to me the other day that it has been a couple of years since I toured (and tasted at) the Thursday Night Market that sets up each week in the underground parking garage below K-Mart. Then I wondered, with just a hint of panic rising in the back of my mind, "What if it shut down?" I thought I had better check it out. This is what the car park looks like most of the time. (before the cars show up that is) 

Turns out that I needn't have worried. The Market is bigger than ever.  

Let me show you just some of what's available. 

Back in my working days, I used a sound level dosimeter to develop a map of the factory's hazardous noise areas. I often wish I still had one of them. With all this concrete reflecting the crowd noise, the decible level would have been way up there. It would be interesting to see just how high.  

(ear plugs must be worn above 85 db) 

We have a friend, originally from Iran, who makes baklava.  I have been forever spoiled after tasting hers. They make you want to close your eyes and smile. 

I tried one of these in the picture and was aghast at what this vendor was calling baklava. Her sign should have read, 'baklava?'  

You know the difference between real fruit juice and fruit drink? Well, that's what I thought of this baklava wanna-be.  

 Grilled mussels on the half-shell. 

That's a terrific price.

 These are Korean fish-shaped waffles with either red bean, chocolate or vanilla flavored paste inside.  

I like these. They cost $5 for three, but the lady gave me four.  

 This guy is rapping for these girls. He is raising money to travel to a rap contest somewhere. His sign said, "You pick the subject! I rap about it."  

 The last time I came, I bought several skewers of various meats. 

 But who could resists a squid-on-a-stick?

 A fried rice burrito, talk about cross cultural, huh? 

Just as I was about to leave, I caught sight of this pot of pig's feet. 

I had eaten dinner at home before I came, so this didn't tempt me at all, but part of me says I missed something by not pulling out a couple of $2 coins.    

It reminded me of the time I was visiting Mary in San Jose and we were walking along the beach. Friends of Mary's had a big pot of beef tripe and chilis simmering above a grill. We had just eaten a bowl of fish chowder with crusty rolls, so we weren't at all interested, but, in hindsight, I wish I had tried just a bite.  

I think I need to go back again to the night market.....                 -djf

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3/24/20...

Once again, New Zealand is taking a pro-active attitude during a crisis. Here is an example from the business sector.

Lion Red, the beer manufacturer, is filling fewer kegs with beer in favor of filling more individual bottles, and switching from deliveries of kegs to bars and restaurants to home delivery. It has been listed as one of NZ's 'essential' industries. 
Good on you Lion Red for being there for all of us during this emergency.  You're helping to make our self-isolation just a little bit more bearable.