Monday, October 3, 2011

Dutch Market Drama


“What is drama but life with the dull bits cut out.”— Alfred Hitchcock

"You are NOT allowed to sell your cupcakes at out market," Elizabeth told me last Monday.  "We can't have you competing with our slices of cake."  

This was a problem.  My partner-in-crime, Gretta*, had friends who'd recently hauled four cupcake caddies from Canada.  Over the last five months we'd perfected our recipes and designs.  We had hundreds of cupcake liners. And now, a few days from from Market Day, the Dutch Market Ladies threw us a curveball.

Our friends rallied behind us in solidarity.  One threatened to go on a hunger strike.  Others offered to circulate a petition.  Another woman, who is on the women's committee at the church, said she would fight for us on the "inside."

But it is the Dutch Church's market, so they get to make the rules, whether we like it or not.  

Gretta and I researched our options and got our game plan together.  We meditated on this idea:

"When life gives you lemons
make lemonade, 
and then figure out how to sell it for $5 a glass."


So we baked wicked-good brownies (with tons of real butter and cocoa) and sugar cookie bouquets decorated in royal icing.   Our fancy designs included Jack O'Lanterns and spider webs.

It was a ton of work, and we probably made about twenty-five cents an hour.  However, we not only sold everything, but we had a local coffee shop ask us to make cookies for them on a regular basis.

My favorite moment of the day was when the cheese vendor next to us expressed concern about Oliver.  He was sleeping with his mouth WIDE open, and she was convinced he would swallow a fly (...perhaps he'll die!).  We got to chatting and I brought up that he has Down syndrome.  Her face lit up and she said, "Really?  I'm studying Special Education at the University of Zambia, and we NEVER get to interact with kids with special needs."  

"Ha!" I said.  "Wait right here.  I have someone to introduce you to."  

I found the Nelsons from Special Hope Network, and I'm sure they have already recruited her to work with disabled kids in the compounds.  (By the way, don't forget my finder's fee, Nelsons!)

After a full day at the market, Eric and I spent the evening relaxing, er, hosting a BBQ for 30 people at our home--many of the same kindred spirits who were willing to fight for our cupcakes.  

All in all, it was a pretty amazing weekend for everyone except Isaac, who was kept in quarantine due to viral conjunctivitis.  Don't worry, I gave him a cookie.

*Name changed to protect the guilty.  

  

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