living loving laughing - always: Blending in with the locals

Their version of McD's.

A visit to the local flea market.

A view of the market.

I took a group of students with me as we wondered
around the market, we decided to try this. It was ok?
Hmmmm, did they say not to eat anything
that we didn't have to peel?!

Butcher shop - no refrigeration -
unless you consider the shade

Corner store.

We stopped for a drink, water no-where to be found. Coke
on the other hand was sold here for about 30 cents US each.

Jugs of water waiting to be filled at the well. This water is
brown something we wouldn't bathe in.

Chicken and chips anyone?

Main street of Karatu.

Mmmm, sugar cane

This little girl I noticed every day that we drove through town.
She would be there early in the morning, until we returned that evening.
Not a toy to be found.

This man was always cleaning the yard at our hostel.

Till late?! Yahooo?!

Ahhh, Happy Days the restaurant that was as close to
the western style cuisine we are accustom to.
The group from 2010 signed the wall.
We did too!

I never drank so much Coke in my life!

Great food, until I found a piece of a
chickens foot in my pizza. I had a hamburger the next time.

So while you are walking down the dirt roads of Karatu, keep an eye
out for bicyclist, motorcycles the odd vehicle oh and a herd of cattle.

One of our students getting sized up for a pair of pants.

The little girl I was holding just moments before, going home
for the day. Would we ever see this back home?

This young man, who sold jewellery and souvenirs to tourist
befriended us and we quickly learnt he had a bond with the students
of 2010. They continue to stay in contact.