Our village is 0/6km away from Dongtai downtown/kloc-. In the past, when the waterways were developed, people along the Bangpan River, tributaries and ports basically went to Dongtai City to buy things. The villagers in the village are used to saying that going to Dongtai is called "going to the street", which may be a deep-rooted homesickness and historical reasons. After all, this is the place where Dongtai once belonged and has a wide influence. Major activities at home are generally "shopping".
There was a ship going to Dongtai at that time, between Xinghua and Dongtai. The ship dock behind the village, if you want to "go to the street" to Xinghua, you must wait at the ship dock. To put it mildly, there is no brick to cover the ship dock and no tile to keep out the rain. It is a deep water area along the river bank, where ships can dock. There are many white roads and buildings, which remember the traces of countless generations. But when I got on the boat, I got a paper ticket with Putang-Xinghua and Putang-Dongtai written on it. The whistle sounded long, urging people to travel. In that era of underdeveloped transportation, ships and ferries played the greatest role. The ferry terminal next to it was once prosperous, welcoming guests sent to the north and south of the river. Many news, daily necessities, food and dishes are brought back from "going to the street" and going to Xinghua. Later, with the development of the situation, almost every township in the southeast of Xinghua had fixed ships to Dongtai, and the ships gradually faded out of the historical stage. Ships and ships have made the greatest contribution to the prosperity of urban and rural economy.
I remember going to the street by boat at that time, boarding at 7-8 am, and arriving at Dongtai Ship Terminal around 9: 30. People go their separate ways. Because time was tight, they had to return around 3: 30 in the afternoon, and the ship didn't wait for people. Adults are usually busy at home, so they go shopping in the street. We call it "cooking" there, and they buy everything according to the menu opened by the chef. In fact, the chefs there are usually farmers. They have no training, so they are "skilled in their bones" and can cook good dishes. Three or five people help each other, and a meal of twenty or thirty tables is a piece of cake for them. The ingredients are fresh and exquisite, and the dishes made are amazing. If a foreigner visits, almost no one will not give a thumbs up. Compared with the current hotel family banquet, it is simply a heaven and an underground. Now living conditions are developing, and most of them go to restaurants. Traditional families still insist on "going to the streets" or buying food in the nearest township market, and invite "chefs" to cook at home for banquets.
One winter, near the Spring Festival, my father and I took a boat to "go shopping". Waiting on the dock early in the morning, waiting for the arrival of the boat. In the cold wind whistling, the ship protector came. The boss of the boatman was dressed in leather, with only two eyes wrapped in a towel and a mist in his mouth. "Be careful, be careful that the boat slipped." The windproof leather coat doesn't feel effective, but I still see her trembling from time to time. The hand holding the bamboo pole seemed unable to stretch because of the cold, urging us to disembark quickly.
Roaring on the paddle boat and sailing in the mussel river. The river rolled up layers of waves, roared along the hull and rushed to the bank, while the bank remained silent and let the waves wash forward. The bare branches on both sides of the river have lost their green color. They stand upright and unyielding, swaying gently in the face of the cold. Some laughter came from time to time in the dull cabin. I wrapped my clothes and leaned back in the driver's seat. The Dongfeng diesel engine with double paddles danced with the wind steaming, and the water behind the ship splashed and rolled away happily, and the water in the distance and the sky became farther and farther away. ...
The ship soon arrived in Dongtai City, and the river suddenly became lively. All kinds of planes and ships pass by, such as towing teams, fishing boats, transportation and heavy loads. Open the canopy, row, row and row. They all came for this street.
Help the boat to the dock, put on the anchor rope, and help the owner shout, "Let's buy all the things and supplies quickly and leave the dock at 4 pm on time." Don't miss time, time waits for no one. " At this time, the ship dock is like a seasonal vegetable wholesale market. Vendors and growers lined up on the dock early in the morning to wait for the boat-to help guests from all walks of life buy food. People are crowded, all kinds of hawking and bargaining are one after another, and the agreed vegetables are continuously loaded from various towns and villages. Some people leave one after another, and some people have to go to the market to get where they need to go.
My father and I went out of the ship dock and went to Dongtai Street. I think "going to the street" is different. There are people everywhere, and everyone feels busy. Perhaps this is the reason why Dongtai is close to the sea. I feel that the air is filled with what people call "seaweed smell", and seafood tastes very strong.
My father took me to a noodle restaurant and said that the fish noodle soup here is a must in Dongtai. Try the characteristics of this street. At breakfast, the weather is cold, and many people come in to warm up and eat a bowl of fish soup noodles. We finally found a place to sit down, and soon, two bowls of steaming and fragrant fish noodle soup appeared in front of my eyes. The noodles are white and smooth, the soup is thick and juicy, and the garlic is floating, refreshing and delicious. When chopsticks are gently picked, the noodles will give off the fragrance of garlic and fish, and they will stay fragrant at the entrance together, leaving an endless aftertaste. Fish noodle soup is not only delicious, but also has a good health function. I took a sip of noodle soup. It was delicious, and the smell of fish was in my heart. Legend has it that chefs from the palace carefully selected raw materials, such as wild crucian carp, eel bones and pig bones. And the broth is filtered out by layer-by-layer process, which has the characteristics of high protein, low fat, rich in active calcium and various amino acids. It can also moisten spleen, strengthen stomach, tonify deficiency and treat intestine. It is often said that eating a bowl of fish noodle soup is better than longevity. I enjoyed it while eating. After eating, I poured the bowl into my mouth. When I thought of fish noodle soup, I really answered the old saying in the streets and villages: "Eat a bowl and think for three years." I thought, this street is really worth it.
I followed my father around, leaving me at Beiguan Bridge, Haidao Bridge and Shibi Post Office. A dazzling array of goods, overwhelming crowds, cars coming and going, and antique tricycles all left a deep memory for me. The happiest thing is that my father bought me a pair of white sports rubber shoes, which was very popular and fashionable at that time. We also call them running shoes and sports shoes. I was glad to hold it in my hand and hold it tightly all the way. Along the way, my father always urged me to hurry. Don't be curious about "looking around" (meaning in dialect). Fortunately, I am naturally fond of memory. I pay attention to my surroundings every time I turn a corner, and I won't get lost with my father. When I have the chance, I always look at those strange things in the street.
Seeing that it was time to eat, my father said it was difficult to get some Dongtai specialties from the street to eat some rice. I came to a place like a food stall, full of people inside and outside. The shopkeeper warmly greeted the guests coming and going, and we walked in and sat down with the greeting. Father ordered a dish and soup, full of seafood flavor, distributed outside the store. After a while, the "freshest" iron clam came up. Sprinkle a few slices of onion and ginger, the mussel shell is crystal clear and the meat is delicious. I can't help but put one in my mouth, fresh and smooth, full of fresh fragrance, with endless aftertaste. Meretrix meretrix is a specialty of Dongtai Beach. Its shell consists of two fan-shaped hard shells with bright patterns. The mussel shell is nutritious and contains protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and inorganic salts. This is an authentic food.
After a while, a plate of shredded radish with a big shovel came over and smelled delicious. Some white pepper and garlic were added to the shovel on the shredded white radish, and the soup was white and clear. Father gently pressed it with a spoon, stirred it twice and said it was ready to drink. I took a sip, dear. The especially fresh and original soup is much more delicious than the radish soup cooked by someone who has something to do at home. No wonder people want to "go out on the street" and try early. It tastes really different.
My father bought some Dongtai dry tea, made some Dongtai soy sauce, and bought some new year's goods and New Year pictures along the way. We have returned home with a full load, and we seldom "go to the streets". This time, I finally saw the "market", many of which are not available in rural areas.
Although I have been on the street for so many years, I will never forget it. That simple folk custom, that era, many feelings that can't be given up. My memories are all in the street. Times have changed, and now it will never reflect the taste of "going to the streets".