Sloper joked to the visitors that "Kong Chow" denoted a mah-jongg club, but Abe and Kishimoto didn't know it was a joke. After these photos were taken, they went inside to find the mah-jongg game and introduce themselves. Sloper, aghast, ran up the stairs after them and implored them to come back outside. Kong Chow members were showing up in their finest Sunday clothing for some kind of gathering, and the mah-jongg group wasn't invited.

The traditional Chinatown gate, at Broadway and Ginling Way.

Inside this building, there were some folks playing mah-jongg (there usually are, on a Sunday morning). Abe and Kishimoto, following the sound of the "clattering sparrows," went in and introduced themselves to the players. Sloper, aghast, ran up the stairs after them in time to see that the mah-jongg players were not interested in a mah-jongg cultural exchange. They just wanted to be left alone so they could play! Sloper guided the disappointed Japanese visitors back outside.

One of the shops where mah-jongg sets can be purchased. Right across the street is the famous wishing well of Chinatown. Sloper landed a coin in the "love" pot!

Exploring some of the back streets of Chinatown, the group came across another couple of places where the denizens were playing mah-jongg (we could hear the sound of the tiles). Abe and Kishimoto tried to gain entry and exchange some mah-jongg goodwill, but the players just wanted to be left alone with their game.

No tour of Chinatown would be complete without a visit to Saigon Plaza.

Amazed at the prices, Abe and Kishimoto bought T-shirts, luggage, and hats.

Sloper guards the purchases, sporting his new "dragon" hat (a gift from Abe).