Again I’m not feeling all to well. I have a mouth infection. Drinking and eating feels like trying to swallow razorblades. I’m sitting, sleeping and being feverish around the house. Doing nothing. It’s like my body is intend on teaching me to sit down and relax before I grow older. This is the fifth day and I’m tired of it now. This morning I got a postcard from Petra and a letter from my older sister (I think they were send a long time ago). While reading them I was crying, wanting to back home for just this rotten period and to hear familiar voices and a familiar language again.
But I’m never one for sulking (at least when there are no women around me who feel sorry. If there are I feel very sorry). I get over it and now I’m in the hospital library; to give you other news.
Dylan is gone as well. Back to Australia. Which leaves but a few volunteers. I’ll be completely PNG-anized pretty soon. Fortunately Michael decided to stay for another week so he’s taking care of me. Well not only him; it seems that all my wantoks come in and shower me with fruits and vegetables. Everybody is very sweet.
I received some extra picture from our Enga trip. Sacharias (Dylan’s boss) made some pictures when we went to the Sak valley in Enga. He copied them onto my memory stick today. I updated the Sak vally page to include these pictures. The pictures are more or less for Joanna and Amlyn.
See Sak valley for the pictures.
I forgot to tell you that when we stayed in Tambanum the villagers gave us some masks they make there. Here they are.
If you look very carefully you can see a little face inside the middle of this mask.
Somebody recognised me during Dylan’s going-away-party. Unfortunately I already had my fair share of alcohol and I was already not feeling well, so I wasn’t that eloquent. She was a PNG lady studying in Perth and in a homesick mood had googled on Mount Hagen only to find my blog. How’s that for coincidence?
Somebody asked me to inform him how to travel in the Sepik if you wanted to see the Sepik river. See How to conquer the Sepik river.
It’s just fantastic to hear your voice now and then..
It doesn’t matter how long we didn’t speak to eachother, how long i didn’t see you, it feels like i saw you yesterday..
Never forget:
You ARE the most important human in my life.
T.
Hahaha, it was great meeting you after following your blog…Don’t worry, i think we had both had our fair share of alcohol. Keep up the great job!
You’re not homesick, you’re just a little bit alone because you have the feeling everybody is leaving you. Not feeling physically well adds up to it…
Don’t worry, within a couple of weeks, you know new people and your body will be well again. And you’ll be very happy to be in PNG!
Nothing to miss here either. Middle of the winter, 14 degrees, pooring rain and one storm after the other.
did you get my parcel yet??? If there is anyone reading a dutch book in your vicinity, than that’s the book I send you…
Before I went traveling a good friend told me that ofcourse there would be moments that you think ‘I wish I could have a cup of tea with my mum, nice dinner with dad, a beer with a friend’ And those moments are special because you realise who or what is important. But when you have those moments: go outdoors, visit people, chat to a stranger but do not stay inside!!
And don’t forget… those who have left Hagen miss you terribly!!! Just had word from another Maggie I knew through FORD back in Hagen (she couldn’t make it to my go pinis so I don’t think you ever met her). Turns out she’s in Melbourne for study (2 years), so it looks like my failing Tok Pisin is saved!!! I’m meeting her for a coffee tomorrow.
Chin up, love. If it’s any consolation, I have a mouth ulcer, so maybe we’re still synchronised?!!!
J. x
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Gosh and golly… Laikim yu long ples bilong laikim.
Watna
Good one. Thanks a lot. Apa konda kets mulai
Bikpela susa
Tell me about it, I know it works like that. Although I do not seem to heal up for long, the next ailment is around the corner.
Liklik susa
Nope, I haven’t had your parcel yet. It apparently takes up some time. And don’t worry about me being alone in Hagen. That is a contradiction in terms. It will never happen. I’ll be alright.
Jo
Did you get a chance to do the pisin?
You too a mouth ulcer? Weird.