Salinas has a Chinatown?

Salinas, California

Salad Bowl to the World.
Iceberg Lettuce Mecca.
John Mutha Fuckin' Steinbeck.
Alisal, Market, Natividad, Boronda, Williams, Rider, Towt, South Main, North Main, Front, John, Blanco, Davis, Constitution, Laurel, Romie, Sanborn, and Soledad.

This is about Chinatown, a.k.a "Tha Block", "Soledad Street", "near Dorothy's Place", "the other side of the tracks".

Chinatown is named after the Chinese immigrants who lived and live here.

There is also a current and historic Japanese, Filipino, Mexican, and European presence.

Read a brief history of Chinatown here.

This is not a Blog about the history of Chinatown, this is a blog about me and the people I have met. This is about how Chinatown has changed me and how I have changed the people I have met. This is about the nastiness and the beauty, the sublime and the ultra-violent.

Humans are,
Hustlers, all of us. Successful survivors.
We all strive and struggle to get whatever we can get.
"What' s in it for me?" the question asked Constantly.
Don't pretend that you don't. Please. Just don't, it makes me sick and you look foolish.

So whatcha whatcha want?

Want to get high? A couple greasy dollars, a bic, and a tube of glass will get it done.

Want to get drunk? at Chin Bro's liquor pimps, Six quarters will get you 24 oz closer.

Need a meal?
There are two a day, free, hot, nutritious, generously served to you as you stand in line with stoned, drunk, sober, nervous, self conscious, murderers, parolees, sex criminals, mothers and fathers, students, farm workers, and you, whomever you might be.

Need someone to talk to?
Just start talking. Blabber on about any thing under the sun. Chances are someone will either listen, or at least pretend to listen which is just as good. You just need to get the words out into the air. A woman in a blond wig has more influence when she is speaking boldly and proudly about all manner of nonsequiter topics. No one says "hi" to the timid, quiet, mousy person sulking in the corner. Don't shout though, no one takes kindly to the loud and obnoxious.

There is a community garden, an art studio, a community center, a temple, a mission, and lots and lots of very interesting people. Stay tuned.