What the heck is Ekka? Or Ekker as the locals say. Think State Fair times 40 and you have Ekka. It is a local celebration of Queensland agriculture-complete with animal barn where the kids can pet all sorts of farm critters (we got to hold baby chicks!), learn about different breeds of horses, sheep, and dairy cows, and don't forget it is election season so lots of politicians strolling about too. They have a great food pavilion with tons of gourmet goodies and simple things like grilled cheese sandwiches. The midway was very cool-lots of huge rides (we passed these up this year) and a section called the Showbag Pavilion. This was perhaps the most unique part of the whole day. Imagine if you will, a huge expo hall filled with booths that sells themed bags filled with all sorts of stuff. Candy, toys, games, you name it, they most likely have it! Check out the stuff at www.showbags.com.au and you'll see what I mean. Annika got a Barbie bag with backpack, slippers, stickers galore, drawstring bag and a 3-D dress up paperish Barbie. Ian got a Spiderman bad with lunchbox, comic book, mask, catch toy, and I think a coloring book. Hard to tell as the pieces are scattered all over the living/dining room right now. Alex got a shoulderbag with a necklace, bracelet, pencil or makeup bag (I'm delusional-it's a pencil bag please!) and I think a small vial of perfume. Lyle and I got fudge-oh, yum!
Now, I have not been to the Western Idaho Fair in years. This is so much bigger. They also have a metro area of 3 million to draw attendance from, and I think nearly all of them tried to get in to the Showbag pavilion today. I kid you not, shoulder to shoulder and barely moving at all. I had a death grip on poor Ian and people would try to get between us-they just don't look down! We were all glad to get out of there and enjoy a cup of cookies and cream ice cream sitting on the curb of a closed off street. Whew!
We took the train into town today-drove the car out to Murarrie station and took about 35 minutes to get into town. The way back was even free as it was included in the price of admission. There is a station right in the middle of the expo grounds and we had to transfer at the Roma street station downtown. Discovered the train line stops in South Bank where we can catch a cheap movie and play in the pools and the performing arts center is there as well, and it also stops a few blocks from the Gabba where Aussie rules football is played, as well as Cricket. Parking the car at the station is the way to go!
As we are nearly a full day ahead of everyone here, I have to wish my cousin Jennifer and her new husband congratulations on their wedding today! Dad emailed a beautiful picture of Jen and her Dad to me. Wish we could be there beautiful!
The kids have Wednesday off of school for the Ekka holiday and Thursday is a teacher work day. Yes, that is how strongly they feel about it in this region! The outer suburbs and towns are taking Monday as their Ekka holiday and I understand that both days will be even more crowded than today was. Lyle is going on his first travel trip Monday and Tuesday. The cab is scheduled to pick him up at 4:30 am and he should be back about 6 pm on Tuesday. He will also be gone for 3 weeks in October to visit 2 sites, but is pretty sure he will be home on the weekends. Glad for that!
Now, I have not been to the Western Idaho Fair in years. This is so much bigger. They also have a metro area of 3 million to draw attendance from, and I think nearly all of them tried to get in to the Showbag pavilion today. I kid you not, shoulder to shoulder and barely moving at all. I had a death grip on poor Ian and people would try to get between us-they just don't look down! We were all glad to get out of there and enjoy a cup of cookies and cream ice cream sitting on the curb of a closed off street. Whew!
We took the train into town today-drove the car out to Murarrie station and took about 35 minutes to get into town. The way back was even free as it was included in the price of admission. There is a station right in the middle of the expo grounds and we had to transfer at the Roma street station downtown. Discovered the train line stops in South Bank where we can catch a cheap movie and play in the pools and the performing arts center is there as well, and it also stops a few blocks from the Gabba where Aussie rules football is played, as well as Cricket. Parking the car at the station is the way to go!
As we are nearly a full day ahead of everyone here, I have to wish my cousin Jennifer and her new husband congratulations on their wedding today! Dad emailed a beautiful picture of Jen and her Dad to me. Wish we could be there beautiful!
The kids have Wednesday off of school for the Ekka holiday and Thursday is a teacher work day. Yes, that is how strongly they feel about it in this region! The outer suburbs and towns are taking Monday as their Ekka holiday and I understand that both days will be even more crowded than today was. Lyle is going on his first travel trip Monday and Tuesday. The cab is scheduled to pick him up at 4:30 am and he should be back about 6 pm on Tuesday. He will also be gone for 3 weeks in October to visit 2 sites, but is pretty sure he will be home on the weekends. Glad for that!
Gayle, sounds like a kid-leash might have come in handy after all! The leashes still freak me out but I get how some parents (or some kids!) need them. In other news...sounds like a great day with the family.
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