Up to Kundiawa

Two weeks Madang passed by. The Canadian couple The Pistells will celebrate a white Christmas at home. They didn’t receive a visa clearance yet. Hopefully my new colleague at the Province of Simbu will make it to the incountry training scheduled in February.
I’ll go alone to Kundiawa. Though, Barbara and her family from Simbu province are joining me. Liklik papa (uncle) Peter will drive. Barbara is programme manager at VSO. I’m invited to stay over her village for Christmas. Just before Christmas Barbara will organise a traditional singsing for her mother who died ten years ago.

To walk as a Papua is not easy. Sometimes I can adapt. But the second I’m not paying attention, I start to walk faster than I’m supposed to. Strange routine, walk as if you are constantly in a hurry. The Papua walks slowly. And they are right; it is bloody hot and humid. Take for example my morning walk from Madang Lodge to the VSO office. The first five minutes I keep thinking it is not very hot today. Then I quickly start to warm up. Just after ten minutes I’m sweating all over my face. Afterwards I need half an hour of airco to dry up and cool down. And it’s only half past eight in the morning...

In Kundiawa the climate is better. Nights are cool, days are less humid: a great environment for hiking. The drive to Kundiawa will be amazing. The road passes mountains, rivers, rainforest and villages. I’m really looking forward to go up to Simbu. I’m glad to move in my own house. And I wonder about my new job. It’s difficult to imagine what it will be like!