 enlarge 84KB, 800x600 1 Let's go to the local "Brothers Jiang" resturant for a good hot bowl of Noodles!? (THE REAL NOODLE EXPERIENCE PHOTO ALBUM... not to confused with other imitations out there)
|  enlarge 41KB, 800x600 2 The Brothers Jiang is a chain of resturants with a popular traditional theme.
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 enlarge 52KB, 800x600 3 The resturant can be very busy and this partucular location has five floors
|  enlarge 84KB, 800x600 4 You pay on the way in and make your choices in the windows either side of the doors.
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 enlarge 78KB, 800x600 5 But be warned not to eat too many noodles or you may develope a "spare tire!"
|  enlarge 71KB, 800x600 6 Pass your Chinese RMB (Ren Min Bi=People Currency) through the window!
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 enlarge 83KB, 800x600 7 For only 10 Yuan (Ren Min Bi); approximately US$1.20, you receive a package of tissues and a receipt for your bowl of noodles. (why do they always put a strong perfum in the tissues... I have to hold my breath to use them)
|  enlarge 53KB, 800x600 8 It can be a frenzy to purchase your bowl of noodles.
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 enlarge 68KB, 800x600 9 The ingredients for "Over the Bridge Noodles" (some say "cross the bridge"). The thin slices of various kinds of meats, some spring onions and do-fu pieces, an egg and a few cashews with the noodles separate.
|  enlarge 65KB, 800x600 10 Don't forget your chopsticks... the traditional story goes that the wife of scholar would always bring lunch to her husband crossing the bridge to reach him...
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 enlarge 72KB, 800x600 11 Mix in the meat first and then add the noodles and stir... the scholars wife would find the food cold by the time she arrived to her husband...
|  enlarge 72KB, 800x600 12 How to eat the noodles "The Pull Method"... so the scholar's wife decided to carry the meat and ingredients separate and then add it to the hot broth after crossing the bridge to her husband.
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 enlarge 73KB, 800x600 13 An alternative is "The Bite Method" when you want to cut off the noodle flow before you overdo...
|  enlarge 38KB, 800x556 14 Okay, you folks who live in China, pay attention now, don't get distracted by the "Starbucks" logo... no Starbucks in Yunnan... yet!
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 enlarge 65KB, 800x600 15 Don really prefers "The Slurp" method of eating noodles... this way you have a way to cool the hot broth and the sound can add to the experience!
|  enlarge 46KB, 800x445 16 Notice the proper grip on those chopsticks... I know you Westerners think the use of chopsticks is strange but it really makes etiquette sense to take in small amounts of food. (the Chinese have thought of the Western spoon/fork as a "strange" form and also not really "fine" eating etiquette.
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 enlarge 66KB, 800x600 17 X Wrong X DO NOT TAKE IN TOO MANY NOODLES! It is poor etiquette in any culture... Don has to almost close his eyes to perform this improper method
|  enlarge 51KB, 800x491 18 Also the people at the table next to you may think you are dangerous or at least a little "noodle-weird"!
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 enlarge 81KB, 800x600 19 A view from over the noodle bowl
|  enlarge 71KB, 800x600 20 Between 2 and 4pm the second floor is practically empty!
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 enlarge 70KB, 800x600 21 A view out the shuttered window next to your table.
|  enlarge 102KB, 800x600 22 Don suggests you always go for a window as it provides a nice breeze as well as a view of the bustle on Ren Min Xi Lu (Peoples Street, West).
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 enlarge 57KB, 800x600 23 La Jiao (hot pepper) is a popular condiment additive that can be mixed with your noodles.
|  enlarge 65KB, 800x600 24 The "mild mix" which is what Don likes. (most Westerners don't even want any La Jiao)
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 enlarge 79KB, 800x600 25 The "medium mix" is usually still tolerable if you are from Mexico or need to just clear the sinus for the day! (keep your "perfumed" tissues near by though)
|  enlarge 79KB, 800x600 26 The "Yunnan mix" which is typical of the locals choice for adding the hot pepper... they practically add La jiao to their ice cream here!
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 enlarge 73KB, 800x600 27 Finished with your noodles, follow with "the Pick" (but pictured is the "uncouth Westerner" fashion with open mouth)NEVER USE IN CHINA OR THEY WILL ASSUME YOU ARE BASICALLY UNEDUCATED...
|  enlarge 74KB, 800x600 28 The proper way to do "the Pick" after you have finished a great bowl of noodles...
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 enlarge 73KB, 800x600 29 Cover your "pick-hand" and you can dig as deep as you need in a positively gapping-wide mouth!
|  enlarge 68KB, 800x600 30 Now comes the final touches to a good noodle afternoon, the hot cup of tea...
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 enlarge 67KB, 800x600 31 Drink up and cut those greases and experience those wonderful "anti-oxcilates" ahhh... (you could even belch if you are truely satisfied)
|  enlarge 75KB, 800x600 32 And now for the "Noodle Meditation"... yes ummh, ahhh, thinking such good warm thoughts...
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 enlarge 65KB, 800x541 33 Ommmmm! ommmmm! (hopfully he will come out of this trance)
|  enlarge 107KB, 800x600 34 The third floor at Ren Min Xi Lu Brothers Jiang offers a sunny atmosphere for those who enjoy a hot spot are oblivious to melanoma...
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 enlarge 61KB, 800x600 35 Some parting suggestions; "avoid the little bowls in the windows as you pay at the entrance" unless you are adventurous or need to return to "regularity".
|  enlarge 76KB, 800x600 36 Don suggests to especially avoid the rubber intestines as they can ruin the "Noodle Experience"! Thanks for visiting and hope you have a noodle moment today....
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 enlarge 63KB, 800x600 37 Noodles at a street shop in Hong Kong on our way to the US... June 24.
|  enlarge 76KB, 528x800 38 Tired of those "fake diets" out there? Well finally the "Loveheart "three " the hairdressing reduce weight the tea" diet from... some really dumb tea company who hired... or that is the problem... decided to save the $ and just input the Chinese and press "translate"... auto, instant English!!
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