Only twenty people from Papua New Guinea live in London and I am one of them.
I was born in Papua New Guinea and even though I am an Australian citizen and a London resident I have always had a real pride and warmth for my birth place. I keep abreast of it's international affairs and when events like the Olympic Games come on I am always flying my Papua New Guinea flag. I flew it down at Clapham Common when the Olympic Torch came near our house and people were looking at me wondering what the flag was! I do think it's one of the great flags. The background is my parents were Baptist missionaries and my father a linguist. My father translated the Bible into one of the many dialects that exist in PNG called Enga. We grew up in the remote Western Highlands where you can only fly in and out with no road access. My brother lived there as a child so is equally fascinated about our upcoming trip.
Before my honeymoon starts I am going back to PNG with my brother and father for a reunion. I haven't been back since I was 7 ( when I lived there ) so it will be a once off unique trip. We will mainly go to Port Moresby, Madang and the town we grew up in.. Lumusa.
The above started a fun chain of events over the last few weeks.
When I sent my Visa request in to the PNG High Commission in London they phoned me as they noticed I was born there and were curious. I told them my story and they insisted I become a friend of PNG and suddenly we were invited to a special High Commissioner dinner to celebrate their 37th year of Independence ( from Australia.) We received a lovely gold encrusted invitation and my brother, wife and myself got booted and suited and off we sent to the penthouse at the New Zealand's Embassy. Breathtaking views over looking Westminster and all of London. It was great to not only spend a great evening with Dwight & Laura but the Papuans were so friendly and fascinated that I was born there. I felt like the prodigal son returning home. They have infectious laughs and a brilliant sense of humour.
In their speeches they thanked New Zealand for letting them use their Penthouse as they don't have the money for such a luxury in London. Apparently the Australian & New Zealand Embassies let them use their facilities regularly which I thought was cool.
The formal proceedings included a family singing the National Anthem and then the high Commissioner gave a wonderful and honest speech about PNG and her role. She seems to be a great lady and was fascinating to talk with afterwards.
After that we just enjoyed meeting those present all with some link to Papua New Guinea including ambassadors. We loved meeting the PNG ambassador to Zambia and a day called OE ( spelt OE) who is the matriarch of the England based Papuans. We met the High Commission staff and overall it was a magnificent experience. We really wish our dad could have been there as he always amazes us with his language skills and can converse easily in both Pidgeon English and Enga. He would have loved it!
Anyway.. I have mainly written this as I know my parents and their missionary friends will enjoy the story. We are now in the loop and look forward to our next night out with the Papuans.
