Letter To Queensland Premier

well i did a silly thing today. i sent an email to Queensland Premier Anna Bligh... yes i did it!!
why u ask? well its a reponse to save my beloved West End Market... Its being threatened wit its very existence and it would be very sad to see it go... for those of u who dunno what the West End market is well den ur missing out on alot. and for those of you who do know wat the market is, then u know how much i love it...

thats why i shot an email to the Premier. it maybe in vain but hey i can't be standing around and doing nothing while they try and close or change my markets can i? my first act of political activism!! here's the email i wrote:

Dear Premier Anna Bligh,

thank you for your kind attention in reading my email. i am a student in Qld and have been here for quite some time. i love it here and found Brisbane to be a wonderful palce to study. it has come to my attention that the Brisbane City Council is making changes to Davies Park in the WestEnd and in effect this is affecting the Green Flea Market that takes place there every Saturday.

I do not know what the specific details are but all i know is the market is being threatened with its existance and that has spurred me to write to you to look into this matter. i may not be an Australian citizen nor a long term resident of Brisbane. my time here is only for a short while. but in my time here i have fallen in love with the Green Flea (West End) market. the ambience and the people makes it one, if not the best market in all of Queensland.

the magical (for lack of a better word) mix of characters that pass through the market is really unique. From the delicious although artery clogging Hungarian bread sold by the cheerful old man in his funny hat, thomas the hairdresser in his fabulous boudoir... the shouting salmon man selling his smoked salmon.. and the fudge man with his variety of handmade fudges and handbags. and many more wonderful characters of the market. and thats just the colorful stallholders. don't get me started on the regulars that frequent the market.

with the stallholders comes the wonderful mix of wares that they peddle. from fresh organic produce to fabulous vintage clothes and items and jewellry and acessories from budding designers. mom with babies in tow selling baby clothes alongside "Save Tibet" activists.
As u walk through the market you are transported through time and cultures. music from the lands of the gypsies fill the air and within a few steps you will be in medieval europe with harps and fluttering flute music.

basically i'm trying to say that Green Flea market is special. i don't know why but its special. maybe its due to the location and the way its structured. or maybe it could be due to the small size of the market, making it an intimate setting to get to know the community amd people from other cultures.

essentially i do not want to see the markets change its management nor do i want to see it dissappear from existance. doing so would make it lose its magic and charm.
the markets besides being a haven for alternative cultures and good ole fashion fun, is also supporting the farmers and independant artists that are making a living from the market. the market also supports the large student population that resides in St Lucia, Toowong and West End. Making a trip to the markets is a somewhat a weekly experience to get fresh vegetables at affoerdable prices.

i do not know what you are able to do but it would be great if u could help preserve this institution for the current generation and the future as a jewel in the monotony of life and the pride of Brisbane's market culture.

So Mdm Premier Bligh u are invited to spend a Saturday morning out of your busy schedule to feel for yourself the culture of the Green Flea Market. Before the Brisbane City Council changes it forever. i hope my email is not in vain and not to late.

thank you for your attention
regards
Abdul Hakim

i hope it makes a difference.