A walk through chinatown

To introduce any new person to Chinatown, I will first usher them to the neighborhood through the Chinatown Gate on Grant Street.  Although it is a tourist attraction, the gate sits on a sharp border between neighborhoods and serves as an iconic entryway into the unique neighborhood. Beyond the gate lies Grant Street filled with jewelry and souvenir shops that. This however is only one part of Chinatown; it is a façade built for tourists. To show the newcomer the locals’ Chinatown, I will make sure to go off Grant Street into Stockton Street and show him or her the local produce and meat market bustling with locals. I believe these markets filled with Chinese fruits and snacks and herbs truly make Chinatown a unique place. Why? Because I believe food plays a large role in shaping every culture. Just the look, taste, and smell of certain foods have the power to evoke a sense of home and familiarity for Chinese immigrants in San Francisco. This is part of the reason why this Chinatown is so unique as a hub for Chinese immigrants.



Sandra Lee