Words and Light

I love being in York, Pa., but I miss a good Chinatown. York is decidedly lacking in that area.

So when I was walking to the Flash Bus event from my parking spot yesterday morning, I was delighted to notice building signs and street signs in Chinese, as well as other indications that the Pennsylvania Convention Center is right next to Philadelphia Chinatown.

Walking around in Philadelphia Chinatown during the Flash Bus event's lunch break. This is heading south on 10th Street.

This meant that Charles and I did a fair bit of exploring (and eating) in Chinatown during the Flash Bus lunch break, as well as after the event concluded.

Where else but in Chinatown can you get delicious pastries (and pork buns! and coconut bread!) for less than a dollar? (Despite these price tags, the woman at the counter charged me 80 cents for a chocolate cake.)

The Chinatown Friendship Gate at 10th and Arch Streets. This gate is the first authentic Chinese gate built in America by Chinese artisans, according to Plan Philly.

It felt so good to be in a thriving, legit Chinatown again.

(Note: By my experience at least, Washington, D.C.’s Chinatown is not thriving nor legit. I like to call it “China-street.”)