Unlike the Lucky Dragon, the day didn't start with a toddler tantrum. Rather, I got out of the shower to find a very happy toddler and a very patient dog. It's amazing how she can look long suffering even when blindfolded.
She forgave him for the indignity. At least, I think that's what the kiss was for.
After dress ups was over, we headed off to the festival. Although we've lived in Canberra for 5 years now (I still can't quite believe that), we've never managed to get to the festival before. And we have been missing out. The festival takes over the city centre, and stalls from pretty much every country, each organised by region, more or less. The embassies had their own tents, with information and displays. But the food tents - oh, my, the food tents. All kinds of community groups from many cultures have their own stalls (my end gozleme count was 6 stalls), all offering bits and bites at really very reasonable prices.
We got into civic early(ish) - half an hour after we planned, so on toddler time that's a win. It wasn't too crowded when we started, so we got right to the eating. We had Cambodian beef satay - very lemongrassy, very good. Then we continued the food on a stick with Thai chicken satay. Very peanuty, very good.
Then a quick trip by the Iranian stall, to sample saffron and blackcurrant juices. The saffron in particular was amazing.
Unfortunately the lamb spit roasting over charcoal wasn't quite done when we went by one of the Greek stalls.
But then Toby decided to get into the action with Chips on a Stick - a whole potato, spiral cut, battered and deep fried. Tragically good.
When I say the whole of the city centre was taken over, I meant all. Public art doubled as dumpling price holders:
Not pictured: the nepalese momo and the cannoli we also took on board. If we had wanted to (and perhaps if it had been a little later in the day), there was also beer from many countries and vodka from the Russian tent. It wasn't all food and drink though. Toby got up close with a police motorcycle.
We also sat in on a Bollywood dance workshop.
The audience (including me) gamely tried to follow the instructions. Toby wasn't too impressed.
By about 12:30 the crowds really started to increase, and moving about with a stroller became challenging. Toby decided this was the time for his tantrum (like we were going to escape without one!) and although there were still many, many things I wanted to see (eat), we decided to call it a day. Lesson learned for next year: go early, go hard. Or leave the kid with his grandmother and go in the evening - the festival was open until midnight Friday and Saturday nights, and I think it would be great fun. Overall, good fun, cheap (everything free except the food, which was very nicely priced) and the potential for educational.
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