Local Market

Went to the local market in town today. We say "market" but it's a bit different than Hagen's. There is a trade store there, with a smattering of goods, all behind fences in the building, topped with razorwire. One section had individual items (cans of coke, cooking oil, flour, etc.) the other side had more wholesale type items (cases of coke). Bought a can of coke to break a K50 note (think stopping at the quick-e-mart to break a $20 bill).

The market was across the "street" (loose term for a gravel path slightly wider than the upiquitous trucks). Market consisted of people (mostly women and older men) sitting under umbrellas with their fruits and vegetables for sale. Some had cardboard signs with prices, other you have to ask. Some produce (like the kaukau, the local sweet potato) are sold by the small pile, others sold individually. Almost all of it looks of decent quality, though the bananas they had you'd want to eat quickly as they were already yellow-brown.

Scott, who went with me the first time, said that it's mostly safe for station people. A lot of the people on station who sell their produce (and buy it) come down there and will look out for the white-skins (which are assumed to belong to the station). Sort of "our tribe", if you will, versus the local townsfolk. (I'm not sure how much bigger the town actually is. The station has a number of houses, but there is a school outside the walls and a church. Several small shops along the market way, but I can't see much else through the dense vegetation around the market and roads.) He also said that today's selection was down, as there are usually more bananas, pineapples (we bought the only 4 available) and the like. Though if we ever run out of kaukau, I know where to get more.

There are also street vendors selling food which We Are Not Supposed To Eat. Scott and I split some sort of deep fried dough thing, though it was cold. There were also on the way back "lamb flaps" or something like that. Basically they're lamb ribs that are grilled fresh for you. I was full (and not quite that adventuous) or we would have stopped for some.