Kids, Coconuts & Campaign Posters
Look closely at the photo a few up, and you’ll see a good half-dozen campaign posters on the side of that shack. A few more will show up in other shots, below. Yes – it’s election season in Papua New Guinea. Lots of drama , and lots of candidates – something like 3500 candidates for the 111 seats in parliament. There’s a system of preferential voting, where people voting for a first and a second choice – if no one wins an outright majority at the start, then there are repeated cycles where the candidate with fewest votes is dropped, and his (very, very few women are running) voters’ votes are redistributed to their second-choice candidates. A quick google search will lead you to any number of stories about the current elections, so I won’t go into lots of detail – just let you know that’s going on.
In the meantime, I’ve been getting out for tennis with some regularity, which is just wonderful for stress-management, fitness and work-life balance since the guys I’m playing with aren’t work-related. That, and watching Wimbledon on TV, are among the luxuries that come with being in the capital for the first time since 2007. Work’s going well, but that’s not the topic today either.
In fact, there is no topic today — just a collection of shots from some of the recent bushwwalks, especially one two weeks ago in the hills of East Boroko, which give you some different views of the town and its surroundings than I’ve been able to show you so far. As you see, it sure is beautiful – but as you also see, it’s mighty different from those northern European fields I put up last. Sometimes it really is all a bit much for my brain. And this week I’ve learned of the passing of one of my family’s oldest friends, someone who knew my father when they were kids, who was instrumental in bringing both my parents to the college town where I was born. Though I love this life and the work, the privileges of living in places so different from that town, where I can learn and grow so much…there are downsides, when we lose dear friends and I’m all the way across the world. Ah well – not much to be done. To Margaret Barrier, anthropologist and great spirit who will live in my memory.
As you’ve noticed, on this East Boroko hike we had some kids from the area who decided we were a lot of fun to follow around. I took full advantage, as I always do when I find myself surrounded by a bunch of kids who’ll be more than happy to strike a pose for the camera. Also, you’re seeing different views of the urban-suburban sprawl, and of the town part of Port Moresby than I’ve been able to show you before. Hope you’re enjoying, Catherine and others who’ve asked. 🙂
That’s the airport runway, at the top left corner of the shot above. As you see, it’s one of the few places around with sufficient level ground to land a jet! Below is the guy who guided us on this hike. During election season, the former police who are often our guides and guards on these hikes have all been taken up with election security, so we’re doing some unusual hikes.
…this hike took us through one of the settlement areas and then up into the hills; below we’re in the settlement with some friendly folks, and all the shots of election posters were taken, obviously, where folks live.
Summer Evenings in Northern Europe
smw, slt had the opportunity to spend 36 hours in transit one way, and 34 hours in transit on the return — to spend five days in meetings in Amsterdam at the end of May and the start of June. This was all worth it a) because the meetings were great and important, b) because being in northern Europe around the summer solstice ROCKS and makes long walks at 22:00 with full daylight possible, c) because I managed to slip away for a short & fast weekend with four generations of my wonderful exchange family + regular-brother Steve, d) because during that lovely weekend I got to enjoy long walks through the beautiful summertime fields of northern Germany, or e) all of the above. After viewing these photos, feel free to comment which of the five multiple choices you believe is correct.
…everyone knows Amsterdam as a city of canals and houseboats; not quite as many know it’s also and VERY importantly a city of BIKES…and roses 🙂
…the magere brug is one of the oldest bridges in Amsterdam (I think?) and my favorite route from MSF office and hotel over to the center of town. The walk on this particular summer evening was interrupted when I walked past a church into which evening-dressed people were streaming…and ended up enjoying a lovely concert as part of the Holland Festival.
…exchange-nephew Fabian and brother Steve on a walk through the fields below…
…exchange mother with one of the new next generation, great-grandson Luca. Wow.
…ok, so I know that these fields may not look all that special to many people. But as I first learned when I returned to Europe after two years in China & Sri Lanka (back in 2007), there is a part of my soul that deeply responds to the pastoral scenes of grass, trees, wheat and corn which are closer the landscapes in which I (and my ancestors, I suppose) were raised. Compare these shots to the photos from bushwalks around Port Moresby (some, below; others, when I get them uploaded in the coming week or so), and you’ll see how different these are from the landscapes surrounding me now. Plus – this photo was shot around 21:30, at which time POM’s sky has been fully dark for three hours.
…exchange-niece Bea, as it were, with the other next-generation member, Valentina 🙂
(so much world, so little time....) 