Previously, when Jin Muchen was with Ma Ling, although they often came to this Chinatown area to dine out and shop at supermarkets, he had never been to this side of Hester Street market. Now, with Candice leading him, arriving at such an American antique market was quite unexpected and somewhat surprising for him. After all, following his previous successful scavenging experience, he harbored a desire to try again but had yet to find the right place. Candice, however, seemed to have opened a gateway to a new world for him, perfectly satisfying his eager desire to try again.
In the United States, there is a vast community of collectors, many of whom also appreciate antiques. In Manhattan's SoHo district, there are countless antique shops of various sizes. However, despite being aware of them, Jin Muchen felt unable to afford them. Firstly, he believed there were hardly any overlooked treasures there, as the proprietors of those antique shops were all experts. Secondly, the items there were generally not inexpensive, which eliminated the possibility of scavenging. It's worth noting that Manhattan is the essence of New York. Antique shops in SoHo generally cater to clients from the upscale banking community of Wall Street, who never hesitate to spend lavishly, always opting for the most expensive items. In those shops targeting them, it's rare to find anything priced below ten thousand dollars.
Such antique shops were evidently not suitable for Jin Muchen to test his discerning eye. Even if he identified something correctly, he might not be able to afford its price. Therefore, Jin Muchen had been pondering where to test his acumen. Besides the formal antique shops, the largest online platform, eBay, also has an antique section, but there's hardly any chance of finding overlooked treasures there.
Recently, Jin Muchen had been troubled by where to test his abilities. Although Fangbo knew a few places, he refused to disclose them, citing his own inadequacy and fear of being deceived. Now, with Candice bringing him here, the feeling was similar to the small antique markets in China. The quality of goods varied, prices were relatively low, and bargaining was possible, making it a place where scavenging might occur.
The market was bustling with people of all colors, creating a lively atmosphere. Although it was already September and New York had entered early autumn, one could still see many people in short sleeves and skirts. In Manhattan, the quality of these women was unquestionable, each one exuding a captivating aura, leaving a trail of perfume wherever they went. If it weren't for the presence of the strikingly beautiful Candice, Jin Muchen would have found it hard to divert his attention from the surroundings.
Hester Street stretches about two miles long. On the left side of the road are dozens of storefronts selling handicrafts and some second-hand goods. On the other side is Swan Park, shaded by green trees. The antique stalls are generally set up here, along with some snack stalls interspersed among them.
These stalls are different from the roadside stalls in China in that they are more orderly and tidy. Each stall owner sets up a small, decent-looking canopy, each about ten square meters. Inside the canopy, there are neatly arranged makeshift counters and shelves, displaying goods in an organized manner. The New Yorkers who come here are enthusiasts of handicrafts and antiques, as well as some tourists just out for a stroll, so the market is always bustling with activity.
Next to the antique stalls, there are also some stalls selling beverages and snacks. Each stall quickly fills up with crowds, the enticing aroma of food spreading through the market, making the already lively street even more bustling.
Jin Muchen eagerly entered the market with Candice, but soon lost his initial excitement when he realized that it was not quite as he had imagined. However, he quickly adjusted his mindset. After all, opportunities like the one before were not something that happened every moment, even in China. His ambitious desire to scavenge dwindled in less than twenty minutes.
Watching the foreigners bargaining joyfully around various stalls, Jin Muchen found it difficult to understand their enthusiasm for items that were often rough-carved and of uncertain age, many dating back only to the Qing Dynasty. To him, it was hard to discern any aesthetic value in them, yet the foreigners seemed to be delighted, continuously circling the stalls.
Although he failed to find any overlooked treasures, Candice was interested in many things here. For example, those sparkling necklaces, despite being made of glass beads, piqued her interest. "How about this one? That one is also very beautiful..." These were the most common phrases Jin Muchen heard Candice say. To him, these colorful trinkets made him feel like he was in Yiwu, while for Candice, everything seemed fresh.
Jin Muchen quickly adjusted his mindset and accompanied Candice as they strolled around. Although scavenging didn't work out, spending time with a beautiful woman was not a bad choice. As the saying goes, when one door closes, another opens. This could be considered their first date, and with such a beauty by his side, not knowing how to enjoy it would be foolish.
Women always seem to lack resistance to shiny things, just as Jin Muchen lacks resistance to delicious food. In such a large market, not only were the antiques and second-hand goods worth attention, but also the various delicacies from around the world.
When it comes to food, many Chinese people might boast that China is the paradise for foodies, claiming that American food cannot compare. However, as a foodie, Jin Muchen did not entirely agree with this sentiment. Indeed, China has countless snacks and delicacies, but America is not lacking either. While Americans may not produce as wide a variety of flavors as China, their affluence determines their market position.
Every year, millions of foreigners flock to the United States, bringing their hometown delicacies with them. Therefore, in America, you can taste various cuisines from around the world without leaving the country. This is the biggest difference from China, where although there is a wide variety of food, it never strays far from the realm of Chinese cuisine. Here, you can taste the flavors of various regions around the world.
This point was fully reflected in the market on Hester Street. In just half of the two-mile market, Jin Muchen already felt his stomach protesting. Although scavenging didn't work out, the enticing aroma of food coming from the roadside quickly drew him in. Right next to a stall selling amber bracelets happened to be a sandwich stand. Jin Muchen hurried over and, upon closer inspection, found it to his liking.