Toowoomba Languages and Cultures (TLC) Festival 2012

I was such a sleepyhead this morning, woke up at 10 something realizing I needed to wash and blow-dry my hair today. There goes my precious two hours to dress up, breakfast and all. We drove to the city facing massive traffic on the roads, car parks were full everywhere as everyone was making their ways to the Toowoomba Languages and Cultures (TLC) Festival held at Queens Park.

It took us long enough to eventually find an empty car lot right in front of Toowoomba Antiques Gallery on Margaret Street. The weather was perfectly fine in the afternoon, with plenty of sun which kind of neutralized the surrounding cold air.

We walked down the park, made donation at the entrance, then started snapping here and there like nobody's business. For those who are interested to see more pictures of the event, taken by me of course, back in 2009 and 2010, feel free to check them out and see what changes in these few years. Not much really, not much.

Korea- Australia Toowoomba Society (KATS). That's Jeff and his team busy preparing food.

Tteokbokki on the stove! Yum~ Yum~

The Japanese food store serving Japanese curry and rice. They were just next to each other.

A cute little girl with pink butterfly face paint.

Promoting Thai food and culture.

Gourmet Calamari!!! The smell was ravishing, but unfortunately not the look. The calamari appeared to be rather pale and not so crispy.

Finally laid my hands on the Chicken Karaage after queue-ing up for more than half an hour under the hot sun. It was insane and totally not worth it! They cost us freaking $4 a stick with each has 4 pieces of chicken, that means, $1 for just a small chicken dice which tasted averagely good and oily?!

Mr. Choo's doesn't-seem-to-be-happy expression.

I think I can roughly guess the reason why for the long queue and wait. It's mainly because there were only a couple doing the cooking and serving. They should have hired a helper or at least set up an extra deep fryer for the customers' sake.

Spiral potato / Twisted potato / Potato curl.

I like the idea of wearing hairnets when handling food. Hygienic and good practice.

Kids waiting anxiously to get their faces painted.

There were two performing stages, one for the kids, one for the adults. We did not stay long but left around two-ish later to grab some Asian groceries.