PNG commemorated...

so thanks to a new feature on the site that hosts my photos, i can now post video too. unfortunately, there is some quality degradation. but the timing of this addition couldn't be better- it's been 1 year exactly since my trip to papua new guinea so i've spent some time lately pouring over pictures and waxing nostalgic about the life changing adventure. now i can share some short clips with you in an attempt to convey the sincere warmth and humanity that greeted me there.
these were shot at eu primary school during our welcome.

the end of this, where the boy [named noah as i came to learn later] charged me is an effort to extend friendship by showing that he had the chance to kill me with his spear but refrained.


they love to sing and dance, whenever, wherever...



their voices were untrained but clear and powerful...



this is our welcome to a neighboring village, nestled on its own island, boasting a totally different language and culture.



this was shot at a pre-sunrise service on easter sunday. the lack of available light left the image dark but their voices still shine.



this group lead us from the water's edge to the jali angsie school. [i butchered that spelling i know]



a performance by some of the younger kids at eu primary school shortly before they showered us with homemade gifts, like canoe models, coconut shell bowls and hand-carved, over-sized chopsticks.



it was a sad, sad goodbye. bizarre to feel like you connected so deeply with people in such a short time. i remember so many of these kids names and their contributions to my understanding of the world; such testament to the strength of human bonds. can you catch the touching lyrics?



shot from the bus we used to travel around the capital city of port moresby. it's the frontlines of a battle in which a poverty-stricken 3rd world country is struggling to find self-supporting economical resources. still poor enough to breed crime but progressive enough to have somewhat reliable electricity and foreign products on stores shelves.