NARS Innovation Show & trying to have a holiday

 

Agricultural production and research matters are spread over 14 quasi governmental agencies and at least four Ministries but those involved are making an effort to work more closely together.  This is happening with the revamped PNG Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Steve's project) and last week's National Agricultural Research Systems Innovation Show that was held here at NARI in Lae also got all the agencies together.

It was a colourful and busy event though the speeches went on far too long!  We were lucky with the weather too - other than Tuesday it was a very wet week.  There were pavilions set up for all the exhibitors and there were food and craft stalls as well. 

There was a special welcome to the dignitaries from the Mud Men, a cultural phenomenon from Goroka in the highlands, and entertainment from an East Sepik province group who danced, sang and played.  The chief Mud Man insisted on the selfie - I assure you it wasn't my idea!

A speech from the Director General of NARI

Equipment was being demonstrated 

We are down to our last 10 weeks and I would like to see a bit more of this country before we leave.  It isn't easy! 

Though some might think the life of a volunteer is one long holiday that isn't so.  We're working a 5 day week 7:30 am to 4:45 pm and though the work is not arduous - and often it's quite good fun - it's a heavy time commitment and I get tired.  So Steve and I need a holiday. 

Australian Volunteers are determined to keep us safe, and we have endless on-line forms to fill in if we want to go anywhere other than work or Lae town for the shopping or the occasional meal out.  Getting permission to travel outside Lae requires a lot of planning and research.  WE would really, really like to go to the Highlands - Steve travelled there in 2014, I have not been.  Rondon Lodge were we'd like to go to isn't in the 'reconsider your need to travel' area but is just an 'exercise a high degree of caution' area, as is Lae.  We've put in a leave request.  It will go from AVI Port Moresby to AVI Melbourne and then to DFAT for approval (definitely 'with conditions'!) or not.  Steve isn't holding out much hope; I'm being more optimistic.  I brought a jumper with me, I'd like a chance to wear it!    

We have some chance of getting to the yellow bits

The Admiralty Islands Football Association team are back training on the NARI paddock in front of our office.  They're known more commonly as the Manus Boys.  The new season starts in a fortnight.  

I have been experimenting with pastel - a very messy business!  This drawing is a representation of the Highlands Highway - our route to work each day.  I have drawn what we see - the Bubia PS children in their blue shirts and the Christ the King school children in orange and green; the stalls selling food, betel nut and other wares; the trucks, buses, taxis and cars.  That's us in the white car heading for work with Daniel, our usual NARI Driver.

I have finished my watercolour study of  Joy, assets officer here at NARI.  She and I are both happy with the likeness and she has taken it home to frame and put on her wall.

Joy & me

One of the things about coming home is I need to decide which of my treasures to bring home with me.  There are some that could be problematic - those with shells and feathers - and there is the perennial issue of what will I do with them once I get home.  I have a shops-worth of Tanzanian crafts and curios already.  I tell myself they can be gifts for family and friends but I can never bear to part with them!  Currently they're all laid out in the spare room awaiting a ruthless cull (Yeah, right!)

I'm always interested to know who looks at my blog, let me know it was you, Jenny