A summary of the weekend…

As promised yesterday, here is a summary and highlights of our trip down to Lae this past weekend:

- We were on a PMV and driving out of Goroka at 8:45am. I have always dreaded the trip in PMV down the “mountain” and this last trip was no exception. It’s squashy, it’s fast and it’s very Melanesian. The trip down we were lucky – we had a driver from the Eastern Highland’s – as a rule much safer and less freakier than the Hagen PMV‘s/drivers.

- The trip down was uneventful except for two “mini” hold-ups. Toll Collection points I call them – locals trying to earn some beer money on the side and stopping passing traffic and demanding cash. The 1st “Collection point” the driver just kept on driving and apart from some shouting from the local youths nothing much else happened. The 2nd one it was a little more “interesting” – rock, stick and bush knife wielding youths, who happened to pissed as farts were just standing on the road ahead as we approached. The whole village seemed to be out in force – there would have been at least 50 people on the road, scattered like. Lucky we had a driver that did what he was paid to do: Drive! And that’s what he did, he drove and he swerved and he put his foot down. Lucky us! We laughed about it afterwards and there were stories shared of how 300 cartons of beer had “fallen” of the back of a truck, near the village, a few days before. PNG is a lawless place – you better believe it!

- The trip back to Goroka on the Monday was hold-up free. There could well have been pissed youths standing along side the road – ready to “pounce” but we had a Hagen driver. Which means we were basically travelling that fast – people and objects along the side of the road just sort of flashed passed. The locals would not have seen a PMV as we were careering along – just a flash and then gone!!

- It was absolutely great to be in Lae again – still feels like my home town in PNG – there were moments when it felt like I had never left. People everywhere that I still knew – and there were so many opportunities to stop and chat and share stories. Definitely one of those really nice things about working and living in PNG!

- It was very sad to say goodbye to my dear mate Geoff. The bestest of buddies and someone I have come to call a “brother”. The party on the Saturday night was jovial and relaxed, with only a little “suffering” the
next morning! As we farewelled on the Monday morning I managed to shed a few good tears whilst my head was on his shoulder. I really do hope that we stay in touch – Geoff flies out this Saturday from Lae and will land in Sydney on the Sunday. If you read this Geoff… love you bro!!

- One of the highlights of the weekend was going to the Rugby with Eli and Papa on the Sunday – we watched the Goroka Lahanis and Lae Bombers do battle on the rugby field. I’m developing a bit of a weak spot for the Goroka lads and it was great to see them win again – they are currently PNG NRL leaders.
Interestingly I caught myself out a few times – cheering and clapping – haven’t quite reached the yelling and swearing stage yet!

- And so we head back to Lae – with two extra bods!! The household in Goroka continues to grow! The latest additions: Eli’s younger sister, Arini and Isaac Boss: Eli’s adopted son of one and a half years old. Have I ever mentioned Isaac Boss? Well, now I have!! So, as of this evening there are six of us living in the house on Gonix!! Who’s laughing? I’m certainly not. As I hear Boss crying (that is right now) – I wander what the f*&? I have got myself into. As the single man within cringes, moans and kicks – I reflect on surrender, acceptance and MY WILL!!

- Eli will kill me if she read this but I’m going to write it anyway. Isaac Boss is Eli’s adopted son – fair enough. Given to her by a cousin that wanders the countryside, popping out kids – seven all up. No two kids from the same Dad. And guess what?! Does not have one kid in her care – all given away!! There is something here about the clan caring and adoption tradition within PNG culture that has definitely gone drastically wrong! As of this evening – I have not yet “bonded” with Isaac Boss and I’m not sure I really
want to. The kids not mine!

- Time… the great healer!! (And I’m going to need plenty of it) – To top things off… at work today – the screen on my laptop decides to play up and all sorts of patterns and colours are now displayed on the LCD.
I’ve no idea how much life is left in my little beast. Nor do I know what I’m going to do without one when it does finally reach its end of life. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Sure demonstrates the dependency that I know I have with my “gadgets” – especially the laptop. It’s been my lifeline and escape for the past two and a half years. Emailing, blogging, photos, the odd bit of surfing, writing and of course work stuff. There is no PC on my desk at work – so not sure what will happen.

- In a funny sort of way – it sort of makes life interesting – when the “rugs” beneath our feet get pulled from beneath us!! Tears, followed by laughter and then more tears. And then what??

- All comes at a price – but at what price? And am I willing to pay that price?

- It is now 10:39pm and one thing is for sure… tonight I will sleep like a log. The thought of rest and visiting the land of nod brings a smile to my face.

- Thanks for reading my little rave.

- Good night.