East Boroko and College Neighbourhood

 After breakfast and before church Daniel had already climbed up the rope ladder onto the Kleyn's back balcony waiting by the kitchen until his friend was finished breakfast and could join him.

 Ben and him were digging away (hopefully not getting too dirty) to try stabilize the ladder.

 We headed off to East Boroko for church. The drive was less than an hour, and we arrived feeling relatively fresh still.

 Church was fairly full when we showed up, lots of kids were sitting ready.

 Another open air church. We got a slight breeze, being situated along a hillside. This was very nice! It still felt hot, but I had my meri blouse on and a bottle of water handy.

 The worship service was led by Rev. Kleyn, in Tok Pisin this time. I was pleasantly surprised that I could follow along with it relatively well. However, when we were introduced by the local elder, I could only pick out a few words.

 After the worship service we had to introduce ourselves. Unlike last week, we were able to squeak out of being obliged to sing for the congregation. They would have liked us to, but we weren't sure we knew any songs well enough to pull it off. Certainly singing a capella with no music in front of us was something we'd prefer to have practiced! Daniel didn't even want to be in the front, and made himself as scarce as possible while still being up front. Most greetings require hand shakes and other physical contact, and he was hoping to avoid this as much as possible.

 Safe up a tree, with a fellow monkey!

 I opted to get back to the campus via the alternative route, where the walking is a bit longer than my route in was. Nice to get a different view again. The driving was a bit shorter as a result, as well.

 Back at the campus, Daniel is in another tree. This time, seeking mangoes.

 After lunch and a rest, we decided to go for a walk around the neighbourhood.

 Across the road, a decent sized dwelling. I think this was the piggery across the road. When the wind blows in from here, the smell on campus is not good.

 We crossed the river via a suspension bridge. During the most recent flood, the water was going over the bottom of it, and knocked out a few of the "floorboards". And its higher than it looks in these photos. It was fixed again. A lady, who was a local leader or sorts, gave us a guided tour of her neighbourhood.

 Lots of big leafy trees were spread all over this side of the river, giving it the feel of a cool park. So lovely!

 The leaders seem to have the bigger houses.

 There was running water in a central place close to the chief's house. It is piped in from where those distant hills are. Gravity fed, and it's nice and clean, unlike the river water nearby. It's sure a luxury for the community.

 Not that long ago some members from the college went here to join in a house-cry. This is what a typical PNG funeral would be, where all family gather and wail over the loss, and where also you can donate things to the family to help them deal with the funeral expenses and loss.

 We headed back over the bridge. It sways a fair bit, so not a recommended bridge to cross with a crowd of pesky kids if you are a nervous type!

 The cows came as a surprise. Cows are a rare sight in PNG. Recently a dairy farm opened, so now fresh milk can be bought at the supermarket. Just a few years ago all you could buy was tinned milk (which some Aussies seem to use often and not mind/enjoy). These cows are the cast offs from this dairy industry. Being bulls they don't give any milk, and so they are raised here for meat. Buying a chunk of beef was bandied around as a possibility by beef deprived locals who felt eager for a change in diet!

 The cows looked a bit skinny, and their pasture a bit dirty, but perhaps it'd be safe enough.

We followed a PMV back until we got back to our main track back to the college. It went through the potholes with ease.

Tubuseiria and Rainbow Settlement

I forgot to mention another highlight from the day before. The grocery store! I got to pick out food! I got lots of fruit, and restocked my gorp supplies, which I'd been out of for some time. And extra veggies. We moved into the Kiwi House since a number of delegates and missionary families were moving on. I got up early in the morning and called my far away kiddoes at home (not for the first time, but I think it was the last time). Didn't realize I was rather beyond my travel pac number of minutes already. I hope they valued those minutes! :p (I want my $s worth)

 I got to watch the birds run around on the yard and hear them making a racket from my luxurious balcony while chatting on the phone. We how had our own kitchen, two bedrooms, a huge living area, plus a very big office space (where the boys slept). The very best part of it all was being able to cook breakfast myself, and to wash up the dishes and do all those menial housecleaning things. Who knew I'd have missed that so much! With an electric stove, a fridge and a freezer we are back in business!

 Today we drove off to go see a United Church that has begun to make some connections with our budding federation. They have one student at the Bible college, I think.

 What a view from the hill. Those houses in the ocean are amazing. Apparently they require a fair bit of maintenance (for a PNG house) and regularly their posts will need to be checked and replaced as needed. The salt water rots the support posts down fairly quickly, especially when comparing to a regular house on poles on land!

 The village is called Tubuseiria and it spreads out from the water and up into the hills. They do some fishing, but I'm not sure that they sell their fish at the market we were at, probably somewhere else. But it's not far away from Port Moresby by water.

 Later we will be down there by the trucks, and you can get a feeling for what it is like down below, after the stunning view from above.

 When we came down we were treated to coconut milk. Freshly picked coconuts just for us! It makes a great drink, gives you all you need for the when you are hot and sweaty, better even than cool water! The taste wasn't quite what we were expecting, but it was good anyways. Apparently there are lots of different kinds of coconuts, and these ones are especially milk coconuts.

 When it is broke, ditch it.

 So, from below, there is the parked truck we saw. The houses look smaller and less inviting from below.

 We visit the United Church. It has an aura of luxury. Rich looking cloth, fans in the ceiling, closed in walls (though, even with the fans, this may not feel like a plus!) and a basement with rooms for Sunday schools and other classes.

Driving on to see a refugee settlement that has older ties with our churches, we pass by typical town settings. In town the PMVs are ubiquitous. When there is one, there seems to be three, or five. I'm sure there is system so you know which one will take you where you want to go, but it all looks so confusing.

 There always seem to be a lot of people hanging around outside. This makes sense, as it's cooler outside when the sun is up! And besides, relationships are important, not material success. You can see this reflected in how they spend their time.

 Typical "quiet road" scene.

 PMVs on the move. There is often a big burst of black smoke belching out behind these buses. Despite their looks, they are functional and tough. They manage the roads and potholes remarkably well. No Canadian bus driver would take their buses where these go!

 Neat and fancy buildings maintained nicely...has to do with the APEC summit again. What a lot of resources were used to impress the nations in Asia. (who are they fooling, I wonder?)

 We arrive at the refugee settlement. This makes the previous towns and villages look rich and abundant. Everything is cramped and has a look of neglect.

 There are a lot of loose playing cards scattered on the narrow paths everywhere. And game boards, for some type of gambling. For these people, who have nothing, gambling seems to be a chance to get somewhere fast.

 Everything is so tight together here, and the atmosphere seems to have little hope.

 Yours truly is toting an umbrella today. I have laughed (in my head) at others using umbrellas for shade, but my pride is gone...I prefer any help I can get to keep the heat away, if even just a little.

 On our way back we pass by the usual roundabout. 9 mile, I believe. Here traffic really slows down. And so, markets pop up...to catch the slowing potential customer. Then more traffic slows downtown shop. Then PMVs park however they like, slowing down more traffic. And so, you may take a long time to enter and pass through the traffic circle.

 Garbage is everywhere. Once there is a fair bit of accumulation of it, the strategy seems to be to sweep it all together and light a match. Often you drive by fires that smell really awful.

 Stalls pop up everywhere. If you want a table or an umbrella, you have to lug it there, along with your produce.

 Firewood for sale.

 Cut flowers for sale. Sit in the shade, or set up a tarp! You'll be out in the hot sun for a long time!

 Presumably hot food for sale.

 We pass stand upon stand. I doubt that you can borrow the more permanent stands, they are presumably owned by whoever built them.

Papaya and lime, I think. 

 Once we are back at the college I spend some time chatting with a student's wife or two. There are a few that have good English. I'm not brave enough to try talking in Tok Pizin, although I can understand it being spoken (some of the time).

 It was a hot afternoon, so we got permission to have the back gate opened, and we even got the kayaks brought over, and lots of eager company, to go for a dip in the river. It looked very inviting. We were told, however, to be careful not to swallow any water. Diapers have been known to be seen floating down the river, it's used for washing, and as for farms near the river, they likely aren't too worried about keeping their animals from soiling the water. During flood season it is sure to pick up all manner of filth along the sides and beyond. Still, the water feels refreshing, not cool, but wet.

 On the other side of the river are children swimming too. They seem to be having a lot of fun. Some look like they could use more to eat, as their bellies are distended. There was a hunchback boy among the group as well, but enjoying the water just as much as anyone! He seemed to be looked out for by the group he was with.

We certainly enjoyed the water! I did think of crocodiles and snakes a few times, but we didn't see any. The crocs probably turn into dinner and leather if they are seen in this area. After having cooled off nicely, we felt it'd be good to shower quickly (to feel clean again) and then be ready for dinner and a relaxing evening. I think this is the night where we were treated (as the Canada group of delegates and missionaries and spouses) by C and C to a very fancy restaurant to a delicious smorgasbord. I regretted not knowing what sort of place we were going to, and would have dressed a bit differently. After all, I didn't need my coolest outfit if there was air conditioning, and I'd have felt more at home looking less eclectically dressed. It was lovely anyways. And cool!