The drive to town takes approximately 30-40 minutes and there are numerous potholes that have to be dodged on the narrow two lane road. This road is the highway between the coast and the interior; it is basically the only main road. The driving here is done on the left hand side of the road; however, due to the pothole situation much of the actual driving is in either the middle or right side of the road. There are also numerous (hundreds) of people walking along the edge of the road, or have their vehicles stopped along one side to load or unload cargo or people. It is quite precarious and I am glad that I did not have to drive. There are a number of car accidents and hit pedestrians, but not nearly as many as you would think from the driving conditions. Before we leave the compound, if it is only women going to town, we have to pick up a watch man. This is usually a man from the maintenance area of the hospital with a baseball bat. He will remain with the vehicle to guard it, and us, and to offer any assistance we might need. This sounds rather ominous, but I have never felt threatened or at risk.
Stephanie had made a hair appointment in Mt. Hagen for Wednesday afternoon. She and Pamela were going to make a day off it, with shopping and eating at one of the few restaurants in town. I asked if I could tag along and also get a hair appointment. The three of us left for Mt. Hagen about 8:30 in the morning. We drove the 30-40 minutes and did our shopping at the grocery store.
It was lunch time by then and we headed to the Highlander Restaurant which is located in a hotel. The hotel is under remodeling construction, but the restaurant was open and we had a great lunch - club sandwiches and french fries. It was great and I didn't have to cook it myself, or clean it up afterward! Fantastic!
After lunch, we had time for a little shopping and headed for a thrift shop, where we had fun looking through used clothing! Pamela found a couple of things that worked for her and Stephanie found a large t shirt for sleeping. Then it was on to a stationery shop where I found several articles about PNG that I purchased and hope to share with you when we return home.
In the afternoon we had our hair appointments at Jeyleen's hair salon. It was a rather interesting place, a one person shop. Both Stephanie and I received haircuts and were very pleased with them. It was great to be rid of the shaggy look I had been seeing in the mirror for the past couple of weeks. After the hair appointments, we had time for a quick stop at the local market. We purchased fresh vegetables and also another bilum (purse). There is usually a good selection of both at the market.
By that time, it was close to 5 pm and we needed to be back at the hospital compound before dark. The missionaries try not to have anyone out driving after dark unless absolutely necessary. Both the road conditions and bands of young trouble making men, called rascals, can be a problem best avoided. All together it was a fun day and I really enjoyed getting better acquainted with Stephanie and Pamela.
On Saturday of the same week, I was given the opportunity of flying with MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship). They are a nonprofit, nondenominational group of pilots and mechanics that fly support to mission stations.
I was able to fly two different circuits. I had to hang around the MAF terminal until there was a flight that had room for me. I few first from Mt. Hagen to Simbai to Kamanbu and back to Mt. Hagen. The two locations were at bush airstrips, mainly grass and mud. I flew with pilot, Mike Bottrell (from Australia), in an Air Van. The airstrip at Kamanbu was 437 meters, a less than 1,500 feet with a 2 1/2% slope. I was glad to just be along for the ride and not trying to land. On takeoff, we were airborne in the last 20 feet.
The second flight was after lunch. Again, I had to hang around the airport until there was an available flight. It was fun visiting with both the MAF pilots and the PNG staff that work with them. They thought a female pilot was rather strange and unusual. The second time around, I flew in a Cessna 206 with Phillip Sutterer; he and his wife are from Switzerland. We flew from Mt. Hagen to Dusin; a grass strip on the peak of the mountain with 460 meters of runway, a 10% slope and at 5,800 ft elevation. The next stop was Singabe and then back to Mt. Hagen.
The weather was rather cloudy and the last two stops had drizzle; I hope to be able to right seat another couple of flights when we return next year. It was great fun and I really appreciate the training and the dedication of the MAF pilots.
I will be posting pictures with a link from facebook. I hope you will be able to see them. We are having a wonderful time with new experiences, new foods and of course, new friends. It is hard to believe we will be returning home in three weeks. We look forward to seeing our Cape friends and family and sharing our tales and photos.
Tyronza (not Dr. P)
pictures can be view at:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.114240695317977.19428.100001961413037&l=a20582723c
and
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.114388571969856.19532.100001961413037&l=0b5634e363
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