World Mahjong Championship 2007. Fourth day in Chengdu, 28 October 2007

Fully automatic mahjong cleaner.

We had surprising difficulties in finding places to buy mahjong games. When we asked, most people assumed we were looking for a mahjong parlour. Finally we were helped by a nice English major student who was delighted to talk English with real westerners, and she translated our question and the answer from one of the inevitable attracted spectators whenever you talk to a local. So we went to the directed place near the Southwest University for Nationalities and found a repair and spare parts shop for automatic tables. Close, but not really what we were looking for.

But it was a nice neighbourhood, so we took a little walk in the residential area.

Then we ventured to the area near the Wenshu temple. No idea what this building is, but it looked nice, though the beggar on the pavement was a disconcerting sight.

A temple.

In the same neighbourhood were some streets with "old buildings" (Den gamle by i Chengdu, eller noget). It was definitely a tourist trap, and there was a lot of touristy stuff for sale. Still no mahjong sets, though.

This is the street where the entrance to the Wenshu temple is. We didn't go there, though, since we found something much more interesting.

Finally someone wants to sell us mahjong sets. Anders asked for something they didn't have in the shop, but they sent someone off on a scooter to get it. Meanwhile they arranged a table and chairs and a game was started with some miniature tiles Anders had bought.

When we were just shopping, we just attracted the usual glances from the locals, but the very second the mahjong tiles hit the table, people stopped in their tracks to see the weird sight of four westerners playing mahjong with miniature tiles with honours and flower tiles and what not.

It was wonderful to see the faces of the passers-by. They would notice the gathering and get a wondering look in their faces. They would come closer, lean in, get on their toes, and then, when they realiased what was going on, their faces would light up in a smile.

Late lunch in a restaurant after the mahjong shopping spree.

Small shops and one of them is a mahjong parlour with two automatic tables.

Close up of the little mahjong parlour.

Charming Chengdu kids.

They were as delighted as me about the photo opportunity.