A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

By Sanga Ge Abolo

 

Lae city is home city. But it is a deteriorating city, although the Morobe Provincial Government and the Lae city authority will never say this outright. Being based in Port Moresby, it is disheartening to return to see parts of the city fall to ruins or another remains of a recently-burnt building, testament to the downward spiral facing the country's "industrial city".

 

So it was an absolute treat when, yesterday, I was introduced to a small second-hand clothing shop and bistro in the heart of the city. Sha-Mata Clothing & Bistro is like no other - at least not like the type I am so used to seeing in PNG. Located in a spacious premises within Lae's post office building, Sha-Mata is a breath of fresh air to Lae's staleness.

 

Walking into Sha-Mata is almost like walking into a boutique. The shop is air-conditioned, aesthetically arranged - and startlingly clean. One end of the outfit has been partitioned and serves as a bistro while the main area sells "quality" second-hand clothes ordered directly from the United States.

 

After the doorman opens the door, shop attendants briskly walk up and serve customers with promptness and such sincerity, I found myself smiling and revelling in this gem of a find. "Who owns this place?" I immediately ask my cousin, Desley - my guide and a 20-plus-year resident of Lae. "One Central woman—the owner of that cleaning company, Lae Everclean. This is an arm of her business," Desley replies. Oh!, that must be Sarah Haoda-Todd!", I say in surprise, remembering Sarah on Facebook's Sharp Talk and the fact that she had been the winner of some business award the year gone by.

 

No wonder Sha-Mata was spotlessly clean and its service unique by the general PNG standard. The woman was an astute business woman. We order our coffee, two lamingtons and long creamed donuts. Altogether, everything totals K15.10 - the coffee at K2 a cup. "Is that all?!" Again, I am in disbelief. I am so used to the ballooning prices of Port Moresby. As we find our seats at one of the neatly-done-up tables, my cousin explains the reasoning behind the shop's operations.

 

"I think they try to fill the market that is quite badly needed today - treating ordinary Papua New Guineans with respect, without making them pay an arm and a leg for the service."

 

Promptly, our coffee arrives. "We hope you enjoy your coffee," the waitress says as she departs. The coffee is great - steaming hot, sweet and creamy as directed. "I think what the owner is trying to say is: 'we can prove we are able to deliver the same service offered at high-class eateries at affordable prices," Desley continues. "And prove too that Papua New Guineans can do a much better job at running every-day eateries than what most of these Asian s.... offer!", I pipe in, remembering and getting agitated at the dirty Asian-owned kai-bars mushrooming all over Port Moresby and the National Capital District Commission's struggle to keep them compliant with the public health and safety standards. I look around. All the tables are occupied. At one, a child has spilled a drink. Immediately, a waitress shows up and wipes away the spill. I am amazed!

 

For a simple place of eating where a cup of coffee costs K2 and a plate of food K15, this is quite unusual. We chat and enjoy our coffee. Upon our departure, the waitress thanks us for our patronage as she whisks away the empties. At the door, the doorman opens the door smartly as he bids us farewell.

 

"Wow!", I grin into my sister's face as we step out and into Lae's heat and humidity. "A plus for old Lae, aye?", she grins back.

 

"And a breath of fresh air!" I add.

 

~SGA©~"

 

GDW's note: A breath of fresh air indeed. My complaint in almost EVERY eatery I attend in PNG, is the lack of respect, attentiveness and courtesy that the employees exhibit; even to ordinary Papua New Guineans. Even in hotels you'll get disappointed by the service (or rather "disservice"). We could do well to learn from Sha-Mata and its valiant and adventurous proprietor Sarah Haoda-Todd. I can't wait to visit that joint.