Robert@PNG

I arrived back in Goroka from Port Moresby after a three day AUSAID
volunteer conference at the Hideaway Hotel.
Note form follows as I feel buggered (might be coming down with
“something”).
- Overall the conference was OK. It was great catching up with all the other
Australian volunteers and networking a little.
- I still feel as follows: Out of all the places AUSAID could have chosen to
have a gathering in PNG they pick Morebsy. Yes - Morebsy!! Why not Madang or
Alotao (Milne Bay) or even Goroka? Stuck in a Hotel in the middle of Morebsy
for three or four days is certainly not my idea of R&R. I can understand the
logistical reasoning behind this decision and even cost savings but what
about giving a little recognition to the few in this country that do actual
grass roots work?
- The flight was cancelled yesterday afternoon and I had to stay in Morebsy
for an extra night. Flight cancellations in PNG are a normal thing and
although I was able to curb my frustration - it's one of those oddities in
PNG that supports the notion that things are in fact sliding backwards.
- I didn't take my laptop with me!! No internet or email for four whole
days. Painful stuff!!
- Eli's still in Lae and will probably make her way back to Goroka sometime
before the weekend, missing her dearly.
- Ah yes… one nice thing about the conference this year was that there
were only six AYAD's (Australian Youth Ambassadors) instead of the 20 odd
that attended last year.
- And… I now have a Digicel mobile phone and will list the number on the
blog over the following few days. For those that have not heard of Digicel -
it's the 2nd mobile carrier in PNG. Interestingly (a PNG'ism if I have ever
come across a PNG'ism) is that the two mobile carriers cannot communicate
with each other - you cannot call a landline from a Digicel - or a Digicel
from a landline. One advantage though - there is wider coverage in the rural
areas and believe it or not back in the village there is now Digicel
coverage. I will now be able to communicate with Uncle Russell on
Association issues when they pop up.
- XMAS is only 3 weeks away… scary stuff!!
- Haven't yet checked my emails (writing this blog post offline) - will do
that now!!
- Goodwill to all human beings!