Once bitten…

Twice shy !!

I ducked into Eriku last Friday to do a quick shop and I got pulled up
again by the Council Ranger. Not for spitting buai this time but for
throwing a cigarette butt on the ground.

The 1st time getting spot-fined was kind of a fun thing. This situation
last Friday at Eriku, I find to be a little embarrassing. The fact is
that Lae, probably like most other PNG towns, is continually having to
deal with the issues and consequences of sprawling rubbish and filth.
Papua New Guineans just seem to find it easy to litter just about
anything – just about anywhere.

The situation with the Council Ranger last Friday was not that much
different to the 1st incident a few months ago down at the main market
PMV terminus. This time (last Friday) I had no one with me – I was on my
own – or so I thought anyway. Within seconds of being approached by the
Ranger, people swarmed and gathered, Papua New Guineans are certainly
not shy when it comes to speaking their minds in a public place when it
comes down to a potentially troubled situation.

During the time I have been in Lae I have made many friends and even
more acquaintances. Most places I go to around town – there are always
people nearby, never far away. With the incident last Friday, it wasn't
any different, most of those that swarmed and gathered were folks that
knew me and weren't happy about me being harassed by a Ranger. As with
all public disturbances in PNG – things can get out of hand very very
quickly. Most people that were standing around – started to abuse the
Ranger. I sort of felt sorry for the guy as he was just doing his job.
There was one bloke and a couple of women that would have been more than
happy to knuckle it out with the ranger on my behalf. I had to step in
quickly and calm the folks down. Basically, I told them to mind their
own business and that I would sort this one out with the Ranger man.

It turns out that the Ranger was not carrying any form of ID. I became a
little suspicious when he suggested that if I gave him K5 that he would
let me go otherwise I would be facing a K50 spot-fine. I argued with him
over the fact that he was not carrying ID and suggested that we head
over to the local police station to sort things out. He was open to this
and as the Police Station was located nearby and in a public place I was
happy to go along there and sort the business out. About 10 folks
followed us… must of been quite amusing seeing a “whitie” beeing
walked back to the “wolloper” shop. I ran into a couple of the female
“followers” after the event and they told that as we were walking
towards to the police station – they were praying for me!! (You have to
love Papua New Guineans don't you!!).

Once in the station itself – we spoke – I apologised – told them that I
was in total agreement with the situation – and apologised again (and
again). They were more than happy to accept my apology but what followed
is typical of PNG and from where I'm sitting totally understandable. The
station sergeant accepted my apologies on behalf of the Ranger that
caught me and then mentioned that I would not be spot fined but that I
had to donate some “Sori” money – yes, “Sori” money. A PNG term and one
of the local customs that I have become familiar with. At 1st it was K30
and then as I told them the story about coming to PNG as a volunteer the
amount of “Sori” money started to drop. In the end K10 was sufficient
and I gave them the money, we shook hands and all parted friends.

Another PNG experience under my belt.

Moral of the story… Rob – stop that littering!! Right now!!!

You “bikhet” man you…