Prior to coming to Papua New Guinea, I had a number of preconceptions in my head as to what things would be like. They’re a funny kettle of fish, preconceptions; an idea or opinion formed before enough information is available to form one for yourself.
According to British researchers, when judging the male species, a person’s height influences how capable and intelligent we think they are. The average earnings of a male in the UK increase by 2.6% for every extra inch of height he possesses. So being on the vertically challenged end of the stick, it seems that my non-existent career ambitions will have to remain exactly that.
Prior to travelling here, I read an article from The Economist’s Intelligence Unit which rated Port Moresby as the world’s third least liveable city. But that list excludes both Kabul and Baghdad, so you know, fifth least liveable ain’t too bad. I was looking forward to living here, but I was still left thinking just how quickly I’d be carjacked, robbed, assaulted, or a combination of all three of these.
I came here with an incredibly open mind, and it turns out that Papua New Guinea is an amazing place. Sure, open up any paper here on a daily basis and you’ll read stories about the above-mentioned, plus so much more. It’s certainly not the safest place in the world, and I can’t just go wandering down to the shops at night to pick up a loaf of bread.
But, it’s a place home to some of the friendliest and most welcoming people I’ve ever met. They may look grizzled, but give them a smile and an average attempt at saying hello in Pidgin and they’re flashing their Buai stained not-so-pearly whites in no time.
It has an incredibly diverse culture, and in many parts remains totally unexplored.
There is an incredible amount of both disparity and diversity here. Disparity abounds here between those who have it, money that is, and those who don’t. And diversity is evident all across this vast land thanks to the wide variety of unique customs and cultures found throughout the numerous regions and provinces.
So how on earth do you unite a country that is so often left divided, rather ironically, by the very diversity that makes it so special, you may ask?
Sport.
When the XV Pacific Games rolled into Port Moresby a little over a week ago, nobody was quite sure just what to expect. Would the stadiums be finished? How many medals would PNG win? How many times would we see games mascot Tura on our television screens over the coming two weeks? These were the burning questions on everybody’s, or at least my lips.
Now that we are half-way through the second and final week of the games, I don’t think anyone could have expected them to be such a success. The games have united a nation, and it is such an amazing thing to see so many people getting behind Team PNG.
People, everyday, stand out the front of my workplace and peer through the window, wanting to grab a glimpse of the TV which sits in our reception, broadcasting the latest results of the Papua New Guinean team.
Southern and Central Regions have united through their wish to see Steven Kari rise towards a Gold medal in the weightlifting. Enga and East Sepik Provinces stand side by side as Toea Wisil lights up the track in the 100m sprint.
It’s a pleasure to watch, a legacy I truly hope to see continue as the XV Pacific Games come to a close this Saturday evening.
It’s also a wish of mine to tell the world about how beautiful a place this country really is. When the secret gets out of the bag, every man and his dog will want to come and see Papua New Guinea.
So come now, before too many people find out about it. Papua New Guinea has absolutely shattered my preconceptions, and I think it might just do the same to yours too.
