Monday 27 August 2007

Country of contradictions

Although my brother thinks it is stupid to write that PNG is a country of contradictions, I think it is true.

PNG people are one of the most welcoming people I have ever met: they're genuinely happy to see us, they love to shake hands, my sister and I get massive hugs from women and they all want to talk to us. They share their fruits with us while we are sitting on the bus (PMV), they are impressed whenever my sister and I understand a bit of Tok Pisin and they are very interested in what we do. And they absolutely love laughing out loud! Sjoerds Wantoks like seeing us around, we got really nice bilums (colourful handbags). I really feel welcome and the people are really, honestly nice.

While writing this, there is a massive fight on the streets next to this building: people throwing stones, men shouting (sounds really frighting to be honest) and loads of noise. Sjoerd just took off with a friend to collect two other white people to make sure they are safe.
During the weekend we were in Kundiawa where we saw two ' meri fights' in other words: two women fighting because of men. And not a girly fight, but a proper fight: there is blood involved. The arguments are often about a man who has several women. The big fight on the streets is about a woman being raped: one tribe is taking revenge on another tribe.

I was planning on telling you what we did the past 5 days, going to Minj- a local village- and seeing Dutch friends in Kundiawa where we did some nice hillwalking, but I am really distracted by the noise on the streets so I am not going to. Don't get me wrong: I still ABSOLUTELY love it here, but the fight puts me off for now...And don't worry: tribes are not interested in harming whites, it's revenge they want...

And on the good side: Sjoerd, Femke and I are really enjoying each others company so there is no fighting on this side of the table...Anyway, tomorrow we will go with some other wantoks to the Southern Highlands where we will do some hillwalking and camping. Should be good!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Precies hetzelfde had ik Maaike: die geweldige agressiviteit valt niet te rijmen met het echte, welgemeende, hartelijke welkom; al die omhelzingen en handen schudderij; die positieve nieuwsgierigheid. Ongelooflijk.

Goed zo dat jullie "gevecht" over is. Niet dat ik daaraan getwijfeld had hoor.
Nog veel plezier samen.

Mamma.

Anonymous said...

Ha travel-partner,
Klinkt als een heftig gebeuren hoor! Hier zijn de vechtpartijen weer begonnen tussen verschillende werkomgevingen, leerlingen, concurentie en competitie, studenten, kortom: een stuk minder letterlijke opstootjes dus!
Verder klinkt het natuurlijk heerlijk, ben enorm jaloers...
Groeten aan de andere Jongeriui!
Guusje

Anonymous said...

Hey Maai,

Ik ben zwaarrr jaloers op je!! Maar what else is new?! Sjoerd is wat kilootjes rijker geworden zie ik.. hahahhaha... Oohh shit.. in december komt hij ff naar Nederland, he?! Zal zorgen dat ik dan niet in Limburg ben!! :-)

Je zit in ieder geval weer in het goede leventje!! Ik heb per 1-10 een nieuwe baan, ga jongeren begeleiden naar werk. En dan de gezellige jongens van de Kemp/Veldj, det wird gezellig! Met Ruud gaat ook alles goed.. helemaal in luv! Ben net terug uit viva la France, ff op bezoek geweest bij Ruud z'n ouders, NICE!! En nu nog 5 weken wachten en dan naar Zuid-Marokko!!

Denk je af en toe wel nog aan de harde werkers in Hollandia?! Zal wel niet, he?! tsssssss

Geniet ervan lieve maaike!!

xx Noor