Three times a week, people from the surrounding villages set up an open air market from 6-8am here at Ukarumpa center. So before work on M-W- and Friday, I head to the market with a basket and bags to purchase fruits, vegetables, roasted peanuts and flowers.
This morning I ran out of money and didn’t get flowers (a bunch is 1 Kina… about 40¢). As I was walking home, I overtook a group of children walking from the market to school. I greeted them with a cheerful “Moning” in Tok Pisin. I think they were so surprised that an adult was greeting them that they immediately started buzzing among themselves.
One of the boys asked (in Tok Pisin) if I would like some flowers, and two boys ran back to the market and each brought me a little bouquet. They gathered around me, following like the children of Hamlin. I asked them their names and greeted each individually. They asked where I live.
As I neared our house, I told them I wanted to take their photograph. Excitedly, they followed me to our front door. Jon came out and here is the result.
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Delightful!
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