Steve and I went to the Ekka on Monday. We didn’t take the camera because we didn’t want to carry it so Steve just took this very unflattering photo of me when we got home to document the day.
Now I know that the Ekka is said to be a rip off before you even get in the gate, a continued waste of money once you’re in (I remember when rides were $1.50 and an “expensive” one was $3) The wasting of the money continues with the purchasing of showbags which give you nothing but a few lollies that aren’t good for you and toys that break immediately and (according to my sister and many other people) the RNA showgrounds are a petri dish of growing bacteria and going there can be hazardous to your health. Now while all these things do have an element of truth to them, to me the Ekka always makes me feel nostalgic. To me it’s a time remembering the years we were living in Hong Kong and came down while Kate and I were on summer holidays (which always fell on Ekka time) and trooping in to the show with Shell, Bron and Dee, bugging our parents to go straight to sideshow alley instead of having to go look at the “boring” pavilions and eating a whole load of fairy floss. It’s remembering the year I smashed my head on the metal pole outside the police station and mum taking me to get checked out by the ambos and me wondering if I’d still be allowed to go on the roller coaster. It’s remembering the year Nonna came on the roller coaster with me. It’s remembering the year when I was really young (I think even before we moved to HK) when I was sick with tonsillitis and couldn’t go and Nonna and Kate went and bought me back one of those pink plastic glittery dollies on a stick. It’s remembering the year before Steve and I were married and went on a “date” to the Ekka and had a great time.
Now, thanks to Monday, I have added to my memories a nice day that Steve and I had completely for just the two of us talking and wandering around in the warm sunshine, checking out the pavilions and picking up a few showbags for the kids. I’ll look back on this year as the “year before we had our Jelly Bean,” the year I got teary watching a little girl (who couldn’t have been more than 7 or 8) having trouble with her horse while riding in competition and the year we pointed out what we liked or didn’t like in other peoples prams. I think the main thing that has changed for me in going to the Ekka is that now that I am “old” I don’t actually mind looking at all the pavilions – especially in my present condition – sideshow alley is not the place for me! (and to all those worried about my health – it’s now Wednesday and I’m fine and I took my own sandwiches to eat so there was no chance of me getting some kind of dagwood dog poisoning! ) So while all the rip off comments about the Ekka are essentially true – I prefer to say “Thanks for the memories!”
Now I know that the Ekka is said to be a rip off before you even get in the gate, a continued waste of money once you’re in (I remember when rides were $1.50 and an “expensive” one was $3) The wasting of the money continues with the purchasing of showbags which give you nothing but a few lollies that aren’t good for you and toys that break immediately and (according to my sister and many other people) the RNA showgrounds are a petri dish of growing bacteria and going there can be hazardous to your health. Now while all these things do have an element of truth to them, to me the Ekka always makes me feel nostalgic. To me it’s a time remembering the years we were living in Hong Kong and came down while Kate and I were on summer holidays (which always fell on Ekka time) and trooping in to the show with Shell, Bron and Dee, bugging our parents to go straight to sideshow alley instead of having to go look at the “boring” pavilions and eating a whole load of fairy floss. It’s remembering the year I smashed my head on the metal pole outside the police station and mum taking me to get checked out by the ambos and me wondering if I’d still be allowed to go on the roller coaster. It’s remembering the year Nonna came on the roller coaster with me. It’s remembering the year when I was really young (I think even before we moved to HK) when I was sick with tonsillitis and couldn’t go and Nonna and Kate went and bought me back one of those pink plastic glittery dollies on a stick. It’s remembering the year before Steve and I were married and went on a “date” to the Ekka and had a great time.
Now, thanks to Monday, I have added to my memories a nice day that Steve and I had completely for just the two of us talking and wandering around in the warm sunshine, checking out the pavilions and picking up a few showbags for the kids. I’ll look back on this year as the “year before we had our Jelly Bean,” the year I got teary watching a little girl (who couldn’t have been more than 7 or 8) having trouble with her horse while riding in competition and the year we pointed out what we liked or didn’t like in other peoples prams. I think the main thing that has changed for me in going to the Ekka is that now that I am “old” I don’t actually mind looking at all the pavilions – especially in my present condition – sideshow alley is not the place for me! (and to all those worried about my health – it’s now Wednesday and I’m fine and I took my own sandwiches to eat so there was no chance of me getting some kind of dagwood dog poisoning! ) So while all the rip off comments about the Ekka are essentially true – I prefer to say “Thanks for the memories!”
3 comments:
What a nice, positive view of the Ekka!! And might I say... nice choice of showbags.. Bertie Beetle is always a winner! :)
My darling Em. thank you for the memories too darling, you made me look at the positive side of the show! I am so very glad you had a lovely day with your Steve!
I'm SO glad I'm not the only one who loves the Ekka. I always get bagged for it.
You're right, you know - the ekka is only expensive if you make it be.
We avoid showbags, only do the ferris wheel and clowns (B won me a cow!!! YAY!), and then go enjoy all the free samples in the MEATing place and the Woolies pavillion. We came under less than $50 for the whole day (including ride, game, food and showbags for the cats and the dog) - so I still think it's great value for money.
Plus it has COWS - what more could you ask for???
Well done Em - a woman after my own heart!
xoxo
ps. I checked out the prams too (but don't tell anyone!) LOL
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