A Wonderful Adventure: The Morobe Show

Every year the Morobe Show is held and people come from all over the different provinces and from the highlands to attend. I had no idea how HUGE this event would be! For weeks people were setting up stalls and preparing for the big weekend ahead. The show is held in the large show grounds - which has an entry fee. Stalls are also set up along many roadsides and there is a street show - which is free to attend - and thousands do, literally!! I went along to work at the Lae City Mission stall. Every year LCM sell Twisties Showbags, which is one of their major fundraising events. It was loads of fun and I really got an insight into the community and what people are like in PNG. Just as it is anywhere, people were pushy, some people were rude, others were patient and some had great manners. It was excellent just getting a glimpse into local life in a different kind of way. I think many people were surprised to see me working there. The fact that I was both white and female really provoked a lot of interest. Thankfully I had whole lot of LCM guys there to make sure everything went smoothly and no mad cats caused trouble :) Here's a glimpse into my day.

One of the street stalls - made out of bamboo and palm fronds. Dazzle is the local bleach brand :)

Walking into the show. That's Jochen (in green) and Winston (with the backpack) carrying the esky - two of the LCM staff. Jochen was there to walk on the showbag stand but Winston went to look around the show with his family.

Two Aussie police. I couldn't believe it!! I said hi and they were most surprised to see me and wanted to know exactly why I was in PNG and what I was doing etc. Was cool to see some of my 'own countrymen.'

A glimpse of the early crowds - it sure got busier! See the colourful bag the lady is holding? Everyone has those - they're called bilums and are made by the local people.

Literally all of these people - right up to the green stall across the road - were lining up for Twisties showbags!! Nuts!

A couple of the LCM guys helping out - we were flat out for hours without a break. People bought so many show bags. One guy bought 20 at once! I dare say they were on-selling them out in the streets.

Jason and Manu - making sure all the $$ add up correctly.

There were at least 10 of us selling showbags and the people couldn't get them quick enough. I think I sold showbags in multiples of 4 or 5 most often - it was rare just to sell one.

The craziness continues!! Notice everyone waving their money, trying to get attention?!

A small glimpse of the thousands of showbags that were sold that weekend. I think there were about 20, 000 sold.

Ricky and Jason - in charge of the money. Ricky kept standing back watching in amazement and saying - this is crazy!

Check out all of those showbags!!

More money collectors :)

Two of the guys having a blast - the one on the right is Henry. I had a lot of laughs with him while I was in PNG.

Some of the super team :)

The aim of this challenge was to smash the water tank. It proved impossible, which was meant to show how much 'tuffa' these tanks are!

The Morobe Show is a mix of Agfest and the Royal Show. All sorts of things were sold - gardening equipment, camping gear and heaps of other outdoor gear. Very different to Australian shows.

The giant BSP bear - the bank mascot.

A show isn't complete without a flower display right?!

Gorgeous, hey!

Such stunning arrangements.

Orchid competition.

Was cool to see the ferris wheel making an appearance!

and the kiddy rides!

The KFC of PNG. The chips here tasted so much like KFC chips, which I couldn't believe! That made me one very happy girl :)

The Lae City Mission stall - finally slowly down - by this stage it was late afternoon.

The Twisties show bags were the cheapest show bags by far! All of the others were at least 4 or 5 times the price and none of them contained lollies. How disappointing. You could get bleach show bags, coffee show bags and all sorts of unusual things like that.