Arrived!!

I arrived in Papua New Guinea finally on Thursday, February 14. Valentines Day. While not traditionally for me a holiday fraught with meaning, I now have a favorable memory of this particular date for the rest of my life. Stepping out of the plane and heading down the steps I was struck by the…how shall I say…oppressive humidity? Glancing over my shoulder at the plane as I walked across the tarmac I realized that I was the only one wearing a sweater, even a thin one appropriate for the atmosphere on a medium sized plane. I had planned to apply for my visa upon arrival in the country and was pleased to be towards the front of the line until I realized that I needed cash to pay for the visa. No credit. Fortunately there was an ATM that proceeded to reject my first attempt with my Citibank card. Not a good sign. Next I tried my Johns Hopkins credit union card and for some reason, this card was agreeable with the money machine. Out popped a pile of brightly colored money with a platic-y kind of coating. I also was given a balance of how much kina I had remaining in my checking account which briefly made me feel like a baller, but one kina equals 50 cents so that was short lived. I was also at the end of the line at this point as everyone else seemed to already know that you need kina. Not being familiar with local or even regional allowances, I didn’t even attempt to get back into my place in line. After about an hour I was finally through the line without a hitch.

Now keep in mind that I am not only wearing a sweater (now wrapped around my luggage handle), but I am also wrapped up in jeans, socks, and my trusty Chucks. I have been promised lunch upon my arrival so at this point I almost don’t notice the weather as my stomach is reminding me that I haven’t eaten anything since around noon the previous day save a bag of chips about 11PM the previous evening. Wayne has met me and we head to Airways, the super high-end restaurant and hotel overlooking the airport. Quite a stunning view, but not something you could have at any airport with more than one plane an hour. Airways to me looks like I’m on a movie set. There are huge woven fans above your head in the bar area that are swinging back and forth from a large arm controlled by a pulley at the end and a swimming pool at one side. Lunch was a curious buffet of rice, beef goulash of some sort, green beans, salads of various sorts, and some really really really good desserts. More about the curious food in PNG in general later.

We live on Ela Beach and have a 50 million dollar view. It’s a good thing the view is so spectacular because I’m fairly contained in this place to some degree. Security and safety in the place is a whole other story. 

I'm behind in writing about my experiences, but they will be coming. I've found myself to be busier than I thought I would be right from the start. And pictures shortly, too.