Last blog probably

If I had any doubt that my happiness lay in development, this stint settled it. This is the world I want to be part of. The demand for my skills is the greatest and the return of investment is the highest.

PNG is an anomaly. The economic indicators are the same as some of the West African countries yet everything is ridiculously expensive. I just don't know enough to explain it though those mining projects might have something to do with the ridiculous real estate prices.

It's easy to forget that there are over 800 different languages spoken in PNG and each of these village lived in isolation and had a unique culture. It also explains why Tok pisin (pidgin) is so ubiquitous.

It really feels like the final frontier at times. And then you see hotel rooms like this one and get very confused.

Looking forward to seeing you all.

Goodbye Goroka

Time is almost up. This morning Eastern Highlands Family Voice (a smaller partner NGO of Save) hosted a special morning tea for me. It was sweet. We sat around a table and they thanked me profusely and wished me luck. I am not sure what I was being thanked for but it was genuine. I bounded down the steps back to work feeling pretty good about myself and smashed the two documents I had to finish.

I'm not sure if I'm ready to come back. I have just started making a difference and it's time to go. I have little choice though.

There are three main categories of people here - missionaries, ship wrecks and NGO workers. The mishos keep to themselves and travel in large 4WD with tinted windows. Ship wrecks came here around or just after independence and never found their way out. They love their drink and are not shy of reminding nationals of their colonial superiority. No, that's a bit rough. Some are nice.

NGO workers have got stories. I had lunch with Anna yesterday and her work in Pakistan had me mesmerised. Sure there are the bad ones but most are passionate about issues and committed to their cause. Like Topa. What a character.

I'm on tomorrow morning's flight to Port Moresby and from there leaving for Aus on Friday.