Seed bilum
This is a close-up of one of the bilums I bought from the kids at the volcano (yesterday’s post).
It is made with seeds that have been drilled and threaded, and cost all of $4 dollars Australian. Imagine how many hours it took. I never bargain with them as I feel what they make is worth so much more!!!
Thanks to
9 comments:
A very unique pciture...how neat to see them up close!
Yes a bargain for sure... and a loverly picture it makes to.
Neat photo.
Your posts are always full of "humanity," Jules. I like that.
I reckon it's sad that tourists barter with these kids. $40 would be a fair price. Tourists should have some compassion but sadly they probably expect much more than they dish out. Then fly 1st class.
Jules, pretty obvious it took a lot of effort. You have a real treasure there.
--steve buser
New Orleans Daily Photo
Hi All,
Haggling and the Tourist
In the days of mass tourism there seems to have developed this drive to shop. You can't go overseas without aquiring goods. And you can't have a good time unless you buy another suitcase to carry all your purchases. Awful and haggling is the accompanying condition made fashionable by people who can afford to pay a fair price.
In the Rabaul market I used to buy about 3 kilos of sweet potato for 10 cents. Years later I actually grew Kau kau (sweet potato) myself. I can now see the true value of the labour. Maybe it would do us all some good in the developed world if we actually had to do some labour with our hands!
Pia
So beautiful! Good for you for not bargaining - it does look like a lot of work.
Just what I hoped to see...you are a mind reader!
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