Hutongs were once undesirable neighbourhoods eradicated for modernization, now nostalgic hipster dwelling locales. International food sizzles. Artsy shops thrive. A vampire bar lurks between them.

'Paint your own cat'

The sign evokes different ideas:

Owners commemorating their pets in portraits

Fur coated in new vibrant colours and patterns

Or the taking home a ceramic cat painted by yours truly.

We debate the best option over Western priced vegan food in a warm bookstore cafe. Ironic that the hipster areas display so much similarity that we could be back home and Canada without knowing the difference. Conformity in search of individuality.

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Posting double drabbles today, first of two here. Wish I had a better picture for this one, but apparently I hadn't uploaded or taken many that day. I've added a couple from a later hutong walk we did to give you an idea of them, though these ones have a bit more individuality to them.