The Night Market

So a few nights ago, I lived the ultimate tourist experience in Beijing. I ate a scorpion! We went to the night market in Beijing which is such a cool experience. There are a few of them in the same area, and the basic set up is one long strip of vendors selling everything from scorpions, to meat on a stick, to noodle bowls, chinese wraps, candied fruit, friend ice cream, crab and oysters, and even dog! (Which i found out is actually a type of wild dog that they breed just like cattle to be eaten...so my friend who had dog at the market did not eat Lassie. Whew!) The night market is a great place to make new friends as you bond over eating crazy, strange things while laughing at the other foreigners with their funny or disgusted faces as the market vendors say "Hey lady, hey pretty lady, you want some penis? I have good cow penis for you here." Oh yes, they sell cow penis on a stick. And no, we did not partake in this taste test. I'll leave that one for the more daring. Some more delicacies:

some squid-like things...and prawns

Various meats on sticks

Crabs! Joe got one of them and apparently it was really good!
Yes, thats a starfish. :(


But, as for the scorpion, it was not that bad!
I was with my friend Jen and Joe, and we got one stick that had 3 little scorpions on it. We opted for the smaller ones as opposed to the granddaddy scorpions that were a little scary......So somehow i ended up being the guinea pig to try the little creatures, and they are a sight to see just before going down the hatch. Their tiny little crawlers, their heads, and even their tail with its little stinger! So I didnt think too much about it, and put the whole thing in my mouth, (after being booed when i said i was going to just take a bite first....this is peer pressure at its finest my friends...) and crunched down. And to my surprise, it wasn't bad! Honestly, it tasted like chicken. Fried chicken! Well, friend nothing actually. It just tasted fried. Which wasnt so bad, but at least I can say i did it!! Haha. I have a pic of me eating it but its not on my camera. Ill post it when i get it!