It is weekend
and I managed to stay at home by keeping myself busy with household chores.
I’ve got a two-bedroom house which is easy to clean but I take my time
completing a task so there is always something left to keep me occupied. Mobility
is restricted. I cannot go out alone, more so take a public transport, even a
taxi. In short, I am dependent on others with a car to pick me up and take me
around, even just running to a grocery. Last week, boredom has eaten me and
homesickness attacked my state of vulnerability because I did not keep food for munching. I had to ask myself, what am I doing here? Did I make the right
decision?
What I got in my
fridge are for cooking meals and bottles of juice. I’ve learned that though not fond
of eating junk food, it is always handy to keep a supply just in case I crave
for it. I took driving lessons before I left the Philippines thinking that I would
be using an office car but we only have few with only one small car while the
rest are four-wheel drive and big. I am thinking of buying my own but it needs
careful consideration because it’s expensive and I might be mobile but still, I
have to be careful in driving by myself. I am not comfortable being dependent
on others but I am glad the few friends I have found in the short period
that I am here are very kind and always ready to give me a lift when needed.
But I know that this cannot be like this for two years. You also have to keep a
stock of flexi-card (phone credit) for your mobile because there are no shops
nearby that sell phone cards. I wanted to get a line but it’s not as easy like
in many other countries I have worked in. Post-paid are only allowed for company sim cards and I still have to find out how this works. I might explore the possibility of a company subscription because it’s a big
hassle when you ran out of credit and communication to the outside world is one
of the things keeping your sanity; likewise, with internet connection. I
haven’t had my TFC (The Filipino Channel) connected because the TV which I personally purchased took 2 weeks to be delivered. It was good that I was warned
that everything here takes forever.
Everything is
available in PNG, from basic infrastructures to facilities, groceries in shopping
malls, restaurants offering different types of food, etc. All the basic needs to
live a comfortable life are available but everything is ridiculously expensive!
You just have to stop converting otherwise, you’ll end up buying nothing or
you’ll starve. The roads in the city are wide and nice but I am not able to
enjoy it because of security risks. You won’t see any foreigner walking or
jogging by the roadside.
It’s not as bad
as it sound but you just have to embrace the life of restricted mobility. You’ll
get used to it; eventually you’ll get the hang of it. I just completed my six
weeks and it’s a long way to completing my two years but I am sure I’ll manage it. There
will be ups and downs, highs and lows, moments of homesickness, sporadic tears
for no reason at all but you just have to entertain them as these would help
you cope up with the situation. It will never be easy but in the end, it’s a
matter of getting used to it and loving what life has to offer in PNG.
