Goroka – Day #2.2

(Continued on from Goroka – Day #2 (Part A))

Markets in PNG are a hub of activity and gathering, all sorts of fresh produce can be purchased here, as well as animals, clothes, plus an assortment of various other items. The Goroka markets are certainly no exception.

The Goroka Main Markets are commonly known as “The World Trade Center” by the locals. These markets are divided into two sections: the first area sells fresh produce and clothes. The second section is known as the “Kakaruk” market or chicken market. Both these sections are interesting places to visit and are packed with people to the point of claustrophobia.

The fresh food in PNG is something to behold. The range and quality available is out of this world and I have grown particularly fond of some of the fruits. At the Goroka markets, items that caught my attention were the sugar fruit, cabbages and carrots. The carrots!!! The best I have ever seen anywhere, especially the baby carrots, sweet, juicy and crunchy.

The “Kakaruk” or chicken market is right next to the Main Markets and apart from selling chickens, buai or betel nut is the main produce sold here. What makes this section of the markets interesting is the number of dart boards, the
extra level of crowdedness and also the known and obvious black marketeering. I am told that marijuana is readily available from here and all types of people come to these markets to strike all sorts of “deals”.

Most of ur time on the Saturday was spent around the market areas. With Eli being a local, we kept on bumping into her wantoks and friends. Being a white person and one from a culture that promotes the “I’m OK Jack” type attitude,
this degree and quality of interaction can be both uplifting and draining at the same time.

It is assumed by most locals that all white men are rich (even the volunteers) and walk around with a bundle of spare cash for the purposes of charity. Although I am a generous person by nature and have been known to help people in need I detest lies and conmen. The PNG nationals never seem to be short of a sob story or a crocodile tear. I am learning to be a little “tuffer” and to differentiate between the truly needy and the conmen or women.

Although I have met many people since coming to Lae and many locals know me, I can honestly count on one hand the number of people I call friends that have never asked me for anything at all. These people know who they are and if you happen to be reading this, your friendship and support is truly appreciated.

After wandering the markets a little longer and purchasing some produce to take back with us to Lae, we decided to have a little sit and rest across the road from the markets, in the Town Park (different to the Balus Park). By this
stage we had collected a couple of the locals and together we found a nice soft patch of grass and sat down circle like. It wasn’t long before some of Eli’s relatives spotted us so the size of our contingent began to grow. It was here
that we finally caught up with Eli’s aunt and also a few more of her cousins. Each time we would bump into one of Eli’s relatives, I was greeted with warmth and welcome. The way Eli’s aunt and cousins greeted me in the park, was
particularly warming and gave me a very deep sense of belonging.

While we were resting in the park, one of the young men was given some money and told go and buy some paw paw and also some cold drinks. As I was sitting there taking in the surroundings I heard my name called out, I turned around and saw a couple of my final year students from last year. What a lovely surprise!

The rest of the day was filled up with a swim, back at the hotel, pizza for dinner and also some rest. We decided to get an early night as we wanted to “hit the road” at around 7 in the morning and catch the “early bird” back to Lae.

(To be continued)

Photos from this trip can be viewed in the Goroka photo album.