Greg came home with large rocks in his pocket today. He says he’s been doing that ever since he’s had pockets. I have witnessed it throughout our marriage. Rocks from the beaches. Rocks from the hills near home. Rocks from the rivers. These latest rocks encase a fossil of a large snail like creature, purchased from a vendor at the Jade Market. I was with him when he bought it.
The Jade Market is under a large freeway overpass. Tables are arranged tightly for the whole large semi-subterranean block. On weekends, individual vendors sell all kinds of jade pieces. The colors varied from misty light green to deep kelly green to warm brown. There were loose beads in many sizes and shapes. Some jade was already set in jewelry or amulets. A few tables had carved decorative statues, big and small.
(above: section of overpass a half a block before the jade market.)
There were many other things for sale, too, such as pearls, coral, ivory, jewelry making supplies, rubies and other various gems; again, all of this was under the freeway overpass encircled by the large closely spaced support columns. The rumble of traffic and the ground shaking from the intensity of it were usually not noticeable.
There were many customers, some of whom who pulled up the little metal stool that was often in front of a table to examine the wares with a magnifying glass. The walkways between rows of tables was barely wide enough for two people to walk side by side, had they been completely clear of shoppers stopped at tables. If you didn’t know were you wanted to go next, you had best find a corner to think.
I can’t tell you about some of what I bought since it would ruin other peoples surprises, but I can tell you that when we got there Greg told me that we were Christmas shopping for me! But I’ve now forgotten what we got me, just like I was told to. I know I like it, though.
When we were done we went back to the table with the exotic rocks and fossils. This table really wasn’t like any other in the market. The seasoned geologist-salesman had a well worn book on rocks. It was in Chinese, but also showed the common English name. He also spoke English fairly well. He is under number 523, rather back in corner, where he says he has been every weekend for 12 years.
Greg will possibly use the fossil with a cement project someday, inlaying it. Each half, roughly five inches in diameter, is already polished some to show off its colors and designs. He doesn’t usually purchase his rocks, so I think he really likes it.
