Well are you up for a real cultural experience? Then head on down to the Hagen Market! This is one of the first places that we visited upon arriving in the country. It is certainly one way to just throw yourself in there. It was a little over whelming and the boys stuck pretty close to us. There are hoards of people all over and if you are to just stand back and give others the right of way you will get nowhere. You need to look purposeful and just step out and go, oh but watch out for the ladies packing the huge bilums full of veggies. They are a wide load and they pack a punch if you get in the way of their swinging bags. If you are looking for a cart, you are out of luck, however they do sell market bags as you enter. These bags are very resourcefully sewn from feed bags and can carry a large amount of veggies. There is one problem, the bag often gets to heavy for me before I'm finished; problem solved there are boys hanging around the market who are happy to carry my bag and confirm what was already suspected, yes I am a wimp! (especially when compared to a PNG meri) This is the place to come for fresh fruit and veggies and a few other assorted things. Since pictures are worth a thousand words I finally got some to share with you. I am sorry that I can not pass along the smells and sounds that go along but you will have to do your best with what you have. Smell, not bad once you get in, after you get past the piles of garbage and rotting veggies! Sounds, just a low roar of many many people under a tin roof!
A load of coconuts being delivered to the market, good thing we don't eat the outside!
One of the long rows of veggies, veggies and more veggies. It is very easy to get turned around and just walk in circles. Ah but the selection is great.
The carrot lady. I love the way they neatly arrange all of the veggies. Each of these piles is 1kina about 50 cents
what size of orange do you want, that will determine what you pay, 20, 30, 40 toa
Jay buying a hand of bananas, so yummy!
Pineapple alley! Do you think there are enough? All different vender's with the same thing. People determine who they will buy from by who is their one talk (same tribe)
A bunch of peanuts anyone? Great for a snack. These are raw yet and tastes similar to a pea.
Oh beautiful berries! I love the way they tower them up in these bowls.
Need a new outfit ladies/ If you are looking for a one size fits all 'meri blous' this is the place to come. You can find one in any color. One major problem, they are made our of polyester and a little like wearing a plastic bag. I feel sorry for the ladies here
The friendly tobacco man
Happy shopping!
Sad now that I am in Rumginae I no longer get to enjoy the market, however I am incredibly grateful for my veggie lady for doing my veggie shop for me and I get it air delivered by a very handsome pilot!
Mel for the Marshes
Love your market pictures, Mel! Reminds me of the markets we saw when were in Thailand. All those yummy fruits and veggies!!!
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