Well, well, well. The power, THE POWER!! The power to post whatever one likes on another’s blog. Rather an intoxicating thought! It is indeed a privilege. And one that I, of course, will do my utmost not to abuse.
So, as Sjoerd said, I guess I should introduce myself.

My name is Joanna McErvale and I am a journalist. (Sounds like an Alcoholics Anonymous statement!) I love writing, taking pictures “as you can see below“ and generally anything multimedia.
Back home in Melbourne, Australia, I once only answered to Jo. Here, in Mt Hagen, I’ll answer to pretty much anything. Jo, Joanna, Joanne, Joan, Joy, Aaaaiiiiiiiii Wait Meri! (“exclamation” white woman), Hey You… I think I must be relaxing somewhat, as none of this bothers me in the slightest. In fact, it’s one of the many things I love about this place.

Well, unlike our dear friend Sjoerd, my placement in this very interesting highlands capital will last for just one year. Already I’ve managed to chew through five months of this time and I feel confident enough about my love for Mt Hagen now that I am already dreading my October departure date. A year is definitely not long enough time in which to do everything I plan to achieve here. I’m already toying with the idea of finding another contract and returning (my program does not offer the opportunity to extend) but, in life, one must obviously consider other factors like poor, loyal boyfriends stuck at home!

Well you’ve no doubt read some of Sjoerd’s wild experiences. And though we’ve shared many of them, I have certainly had an overall different experience to that of my new Dutch friend. While Sjoerd can sprawl out in his three bedroom houses and sip SP Lagers on the verandah, I live in a tiny hotel room in the centre of town. However, the hotel is run by a wonderful family who have now claimed me as their own “ in some ways a bit like Sjoerd’s relationship with his friend Agatha and her family“ though, the Wilsons are much more Westernised.

People are so very kind here. It’s hard to believe that the place has such a bad reputation or that I am the first person (let alone woman) my program has allowed to live here. Despite a couple of hairy stories, most of the time the security warnings feel overblown. I’m definitely not the jungle trailblazer my friends back home think of me as.

Well, as it’s Friday and I should be working, I’ll sign off, but I look forward to sharing with you another point of view of life in the Highlands every so often.

On a personal note, you can be assured that Sjoerd is doing really well. He looks and feels much healthier, so I think the kickboxing has been good for him. But, I promise, if he starts dragging his knuckles on the ground like a Neanderthal, I’ll forcibly remove him from classes…

Can’t wait to meet those of you who will be visiting in the coming months! Especially Mrs Jongerius!

‘Til next time…
J