I didn't really expect to be doing yoga here, and if I had, I couldn't have imagined a more spectacular setting to do it than on the grass by the pool at Madang Lodge, right above the Bismarck Sea at dusk with a fresh sea breeze. There were only seven of us; all white, western females variously employed at the uni or other professional organisations and led in our stretches by a French Canadian VSO volunteer. Some PNG nationals were using the pool next to us and the kids seemed to find our downward dogs etc pretty funny – not surprising really given that this was only my second ever yoga class and a couple of the others seemed no more advanced than me.
The past few days have been quite peaceful with the exception of some of the dogfights through the night and the squawking flying foxes throughout the day. There was an earthquake (6.3) this week quite a way away off the island of New Ireland. There wasn't a flicker here and it didn't cause much concern, but it was nice to see that my Endeavour Awards case manager was, well, on the case! She got in touch to check I was okay before I had even heard about it.
I made it back to the beautiful resort of Jais Aben on the north coast this weekend for a swim, but the main event for me this week has been the netball. Not only has it instantly doubled my social life, but it is giving me a great insight into local culture. Today was a lesson in 'PNG time' – the coach had warned us sternly at least 5 times to make sure we were all there, warmed up and ready to go on court before the 1 o'clock start, as the other team would be there and desperate to see us forfeit. She advised us to get there at noon, or 12.30 at the very latest. Fiona who was picking me up said she would get me at 12.30. I was there at the gates and waiting as the clock ticked by…. I even started doing warm up stretches as I was waiting to the great amusement of the security rangers, then at 12.55 it got too much for me and I rang Fiona. 'Delay liklik… on my way, be there soon'. At twenty past one she showed up and 5 minutes later we were at the ground: the first members of our team to arrive. This didn't matter however as there were still a few games to happen before ours which of course everybody had anticipated. Some of our team turned up over the next hour then went away again, and when it was our turn finally half of our team was missing, including the woman with the strips. I think we finally took to the court just before 3 pm. People who know me well know that punctuality is quite a fluid concept for me, but even I am impressed at just how skilled people here are at making time flexible. I think I may need some kind of happy medium… I haven't been to Thursday Island but that could be worth checking out!
Our strips incidentally are a classic – white tops with a tartan trim and matching green tartan skirts (very similar to the Clan Lamont tartan!) On the rest of the team the skirts were quite a respectable length, but on me the effect was that I looked like I had wondered out of a rehearsal for a part in a St Trinians film…. This week I have to get myself to Kalibobos, the clothes shop in town to buy some shorts to wear underneath! I would love to report our stunning victory and the great part I played in it but unfortunately I can't…. we lost 28-34 and my offer to be subbed at half time was readily accepted! Not sure what I was expecting considering I haven't played for 4 years, and was playing out of position in the boiling heat but I was a little disappointed. Still, it was good fun and I was very impressed at the spirit the game was played in. I have never played in such a clean game in Australia!
The dreams of sporting glory will just have to go back in their box for a while! ;-)
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