While I was in the city (you know, The City, San Francisco), I made a special trip over to Chinatown with Allyn Cadogan, her son Kelly, and Denise Rehse to find the Hung Ming Trading Company. I couldn't remember their name, actually, but I knew it wouldn't be hard to find them. After all, how many live-fish aquariums also deal in Hong Kong videos straight off the plane? I trekked up and down Grant Street, through the dragon gate and past former haunts of mine. It was a sunny day, and the wonderful scents of Chinatown smelled heavenly.
Eventually, I worked my way past herbal counters, paper stores, antiques dealers, open-air markets, bridal boutiques, electronic goods dealers, and a zillion restaurants to find the Hung Ming on Pacific Street. I stopped to look at the incredible fish in the front half of the store. There were exotic creatures from the south seas swimming in dozens of tanks. Carp wiggled sluggishly in huge tanks next to the cash register. Customers pushed their way past to discuss feeders and gravel at the top of their lungs in Chinese. I worked my way back and found the video counter.
There, I ordered my own copy of The Legend of Fong Sai Yuk, my all-time favorite kung fu movie, starring the incomparable Jet Li. All hail Doug Hanke who introduced me to it! I had a nice discussion with the people behind the counter about Li, Jackie Chan, and a few other superstars while we checked through a couple of copies to make sure they were in good shape. The fellow helping me got out his large stack of inserts, found a blank holder, and handed me my tape with a smile. I clutched it to my breast in delight.
Not for long. I was dismayed to discover they didn't take American Express. I had to get one of my companions to put it on her card. Hey, it was worth it. Now I can watch it whenever I want. I sure as heck wouldn't have found anyone in Nashville who knew who Jet Li was, let alone be willing to sell me a copy of this video. And just in case you don't know who Jet Li is, but you watch tv, the people who choreograph "Xena, Warrior Princess" have ripped off this film for some of their best stuff. It's a funny, funny film with lots of great action.
Boy, I miss living in a city with a Chinatown.