Hi Everyone,
We are now in England for Christmas. It's been interesting coming from 30 dgrees to minus 7 degrees and snow. Getting to the Norsup airport on the Sunday we left was yet another reminder of the differences from our culture that we are learning to love. About 3 hours before we were due to leave we found out that our transport had two flat tyres. Maryann rang around but we couldn't find any alternative transport so we decided that we would walk with all our bags. Parts of the road were under water so we were going to have to use the tracks through the bush with our "pull along luggage." We worked out we would need two hours and were about to leave when across came our Kastom "Brother" Freddy with two of his mates. They each put a suitcase on a shoulder and off we walked - felt like being on safari with porters and guides. Two of these bags weighed 20 kgs and these lads walked along at a first clip with apparently little effort. In fact they walked the 4 kms with only one stop to change bags because they worked out that one was lighter. It was an impressive demonstration of fitness and strength not to mention the generosity of helping out. Again we felt humbled by the attitude of our hosts.
What a contrast here in England - people seem so busy and so rushed. The weather is a real cause of stress and yet amongst all this we have been approached by strangers when we were looking lost in London offering us advice and direction.
We have another two weeks here and then back to NZ before heading back "home."
We are both really looking forward to our next year in Malekula.
Cheers
Vic and Maryann