I am dreaming of a wet Christmas. White probably is not going to happen but wet is a definite possibility. December is a time of seasonal transition here in PNG in which we move from the dry season to the wet. The crystal clear blue skies and puffy white cumulus clouds that we have enjoyed since June give way to grey overcast skies, spectacular thunderstorms, and almost nightly rains. It is a bit cooler this time of year so that is nice but the mosquitoes which have been largely absent for the past few months return with a vengeance – less nice.
Kathy and I spent last Christmas Bat Island, our favorite vacation spot in PNG.
Other signs of the approaching Christmas season include the onset of mango and leachy nut season, certain trees shed their leaves (ok, that feels like home) and huge crowds of people converge on Madang to do their Christmas shopping. Gardens, which were planted three or four months ago, are beginning to produce so the market is full of watermelons, corn, beans, and other goodies.
Here just like elsewhere in the world, Christmas is a time of gift giving. With the cocoa and other commodity prices being up people seem to have plenty of disposable income so during the two weeks leading up to Christmas the streets and shops in Madang are absolutely full of people. Sometimes it even becomes difficult just to drive around town due to the crush of shoppers.
Christmas here in PNG is also a time of heightened security concerns. Police throughout the country are on alert due to an expected increase in criminal activity and are planning to conduct special operations to keep a lid on crime. All of us living here try to be a little extra vigilant this time of year.
Wherever you are, Kathy and I wish you a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year.