9-21-2010
Two days have passed since we have arrived. The plane ride over from Moresby was awful. The lukewarm air trickled out of the air vent and of course I was sitting next to the window where the sun was beating down on me. Upon our arrival at Wewak we were met by Zech, Priscilla Abby, Reggie and Susan. It was so great to see them. Reggie and Susan helped us the very first trip to New Guinea in 1999. They were our true life line that year.
After a very nice dinner of huge prawns, rice and veggies (and me almost falling asleep in my chair) it was definitely time to call it a night. We did stop for cold drinks on the way back and Louis got pick pocketed about 70 kina- could have been worse, I suppose.
Up early with breakfast in our flat at the SIL guesthouse. This is the last warm shower and comfy bed for a week. The guesthouse flats are very comfortable each with 3 small bedrooms, kitchen, living room and bath. I remember one year three of us ladies having to share a flat with Bob the Wycliff translator ..hahaha that was interesting.
Amazingly enough the MAF plane was already at the airstrip when we got there and had what they could fit of our baggage on the aircraft. So off we went the first half of the team on to Hauna.
It green lushness of the jungle is so beautiful resembling a velvet carpet from the air. I see where the last dusty road ends and the river begins- the river becomes the road. Tiny villages appear and vanish as we make our way inland. As we start our descent, the Hauna airstrip comes into view, a tiny grass landing alley situated on a small peninsula. The plane unloads and makes its way back to Wewak to fetch the other half of the team. After a 30 min canoe ride, we are welcomed into the village by Shirley, Tom and many familiar faces. It seems almost surrealistic to be back here amid the grass hut houses on stilts. The river is very low- the lowest I have ever seen it. Rain would be a welcome friend.
After a quick lunch , it is off to the clinic to start unpacking. Cleaning out cupboards of expired stock, disinfecting counters and unpacking stored boxes of equipment. I quickly realize that the one better microscope is not working. I have to pull out the old scope and switch out various parts to render one working one. All cleaned up , it worked just fine. The blood analyzer also needed work , so I did some cleaning and maintenance on that as well. Nothing lasts too long in this climate and I am sure am thankful for my little window air conditioner J
Jeannie-I can just feel it and smell it. You have a beautiful way with your words.
ReplyDeleteIt is giving me the itch to go back to Haiti, where I spent almost a year. Yes, it is quite a different life...and reminds us of what is important.
God is with you.