Whilst Eli is in Port Moresby with the Eastern Highlands Hockey team for the PNG Games, I have the rare luxury of having the whole house to myself – no aunties or uncles, no ankle-biters, no brothers, sisters or cousin sisters, no bubus… no one! In context of the local culture this surely has to be an exception.
Melanesians and particularly Highlanders are extremely communal when it comes to living arrangements. There could easily be 20 people living with us if we had not set boundaries with the wantoks. Our home security system is double layered – “Gelo“on the front gate and the two of us (Eli) on the front and back door.
This strict approach has been necessary to preserve a degree of personal privacy and to protect the few belongings that we can call ours. Working families in PNG towns certainly feel the brunt from the constant stream of “needy” visitors. Marriages and relationships suffer as a result. The key for us has been to find a balance between saying “yes” – you can stay or “nope”… please be on your way.
To be home alone now and then… is pure indulgence. I intend to squeeze and imbibe in every last drop of quietness before Eli (and a few of the others) returns home, hopefully some time next week . Also, an opportunity to catch up on those “2 Minute Noodle” recipes, do a little writing and reflect on my almost 5 years in Papua New Guinea.
Am I enjoying the solitude? For sure! Do I miss my sweetheart… you bet!! As tense as things can get between us from time to time – and they most certainly do! Eli has become a part of my life – she’s a soul mate and best friend. When we’re apart it feels like something is missing or not quiet right.
If it wasn’t for the raving lunatic of a preacher down the road, barking dogs and the odd loutish group of noisy drunks walking past – it would be heaven!
Here’s an excerpt from a Ranting I wrote in April 2007 titled “Home Alone”
…………….
Home alone,
Laptop on lap,
Writing,
Sharing.Words,
Thoughts,
Ideas,
Beyond the normal.Empowerment,
Passion,
Freedom,
Balance.Yep…
Home alone,
Noodles and crackers at hand,
And at peace.
Lucky man Rob! I’ve got my hand up for a good job in the Solomons at the moment, so hopefully we will be back there in the new year (I’ve been told I’m the best candidate at the moment, so here’s luck). Then it will be me wanting some alone time. I’ll keep you posted!!
Onya Nick!
All the best with the application! The space in the home thing will work itself out (for the two of us!).
R