My in-flight crew gave me the full low down on Hong Kong. They fly to HK three times a month and are walking, talking guidebooks. Since we were landing at 3pm, they suggested that I check out the Temple Night Market on Kowloon. It opens daily at 4:00pm and closes at midnight. After checking-in at Shangri-La Hotel, night fell and I headed over to Nathan Road -- coined the golden mile. A side street led to the market and as I approached the area, I saw bare bulbs strung up along the street illuminating the tables. At first, my eyes were drawn to the horrific looking slum-like buildings along each side of street. Wall-to-wall ugly, grey concrete buildings were crammed on each side of the street and clothes hung from the windows. Beneath the buildings were food establishments that would be shut down in a heartbeat in the states. Exposed hunks of meat hung on huge meat hooks outside of shops; a few of the hunks didn't look like they were fully gutted (I took this photo of one of the nicer-looking shops). At that moment, I was glad about having poor night vision. I didn't want to get a clear look at the mystery meat. I started to scan the tables; I saw nothing but plastic junk: fake American coins, Cheap Sunglasses and tacky souvenirs. There was also an indescribable stench emanating from the street. It was fowl. With my weak stomach, I kept wondering to myself what it must be like in the summer. I have heard people rave about the night markets, though. Was I was missing something?

After I reached the end of the market, which was equivalent to a couple of blocks, I entered a small park where locals-young and old were congregating. A verbal fight had broken out between an older Chinese man and a younger one, and a group of men hovered around watching with amusement at the two spitting bullets. As the younger of the two was dragged off, I took a detour and headed back to Nathan Road. I guess that was my first introduction into local culture in the slum area.

You might not find anything to buy at this particular market, but you'll certainly be steeped in the culture.