Lae, Papua New Guinea

Friday, March 28, 08
Information - Papua, where I spent a month, is on the west side of the island of New Guinea and is part of Indonesia. This is Papua New Guinea, the eastern side of the island, separated by an arbitrarily drawn line. PNG was colonized by the British. Papua was colonized by the Dutch.
Bill and I start the day by transporting the four women to a spot where PMV (Public Motorized Vehicle), 13 passenger mini-buses, are waiting to leave. Effort is placed in locating one which looks reasonably reliable, when Nigel spots us. Nigel works in Ukarumpa SIL, and hurries the women to a waiting van which will safely transport them the distance. Having completed that, we head to the open market buying peanuts, a watermelon, a papaya, soft drinks, passion fruit, tangerines and a spiny red fruit which is peeled exposing a white interior. It looks like an eye ball to me. Next is the Rabtrad where Bill has earlier left an order to be filled. This type of order has been placed in 4 spots where the orders will be packaged for us.
An internet site is found for a swift update since I haven't been able to add much. Lunch is at he Yacht Club - Yacht Club how about that. Then another surprise - a store where appliances and most things Western can be purchased, at a price. Martha, Bill's wife had called earlier in the day that their microwave has stopped working. Again, a surprise. Microwave! A coffee at the back of the store in a small coffee shop and on to check on more products for tomorrow's pickup. Since only a small portion of what is wanted is available, it takes time to check and recheck. Bill comments that he has come up with a new phrase, "We have most everything you need and a few things you want."
Bill is gone on an errand so I take a swim with the Howard children. They love to stand on my shoulders, have me hold their ankles and jump in. Katie (9) and Samuel (5) take turns.
Dinner is Chinese food, shop talk and life experiences.