Why PNG?

“Why (do you have to go to) PNG?” I’ve heard this question many times few weeks before going to Papua New Guinea. Actually, the answer is really simple. The job required me to be based in Port Moresby. Since Port Moresby is the capital city of Papua New Guinea, so I had to go to PNG. See, isn’t it a simple answer? Moreover, I need the job to support my family, too.

That was why I decided to go. I’ve told my friends and my big family (parents, brother, uncles, aunties, and cousins) that I was about to go to PNG. Some of them were happy, some of them were confused, and the rest told me not to go. Even one told me that his staffs did not want to go there, but I didn't really care for what he was saying as I ended up going (later I understood that was probably his way to keep me staying in town - to work for him. Too bad, I always understood things related to guys late. More about this later lah).

Some of them were happy to hear that I was getting a new job abroad even they were not sure where PNG is. Others were confused and asked me why I had to go to PNG especially after I resigned from my previous job. The rest told me not to go because they thought PNG is one of the unsafe places to live in the world. I knew that Port Moresby is the capital city of PNG since I was in elementary school 14 years ago. Every time the school bell rang in the afternoon, my teacher often asked some questions such as “What is the capital of (one country)?” The one who knew the answer correctly; he/she would be permitted to go out of the class earlier. That was why I looked at the map to find out what the capital city of PNG is, so if she asked that question, I would be going out of the class earlier and it did happen (hurray!). I’ve never thought that I’d be going there that time.

I haven’t heard more information about PNG ever since except once I’ve read by chance the PM in PNG was Bill Skate (Sir William Skate at time when I wrote this one) in 1990’s?. That was why when he called to office (he was the first caller I received when I was starting to work in the Embassy. "William Skate", he said. I was saying to myself, "this name is so familiar. i've heard this name before"). It is so sad that Mr. Skate passed away few days after New Year 2006. OK, back to topic, when I was told that I have to be ready for going to PNG, I was interested to seek more information about this country. Deep down in my heart, I wanted to go. Some of friends and family gave their supports so I was sure to go. But, in the other hand, few people told me not to go and that made me sure that I wanted to go to PNG.

I am glad I went to PNG! :)

==written in June '05==