Departure

July 18, 2014

The afternoon wore on and we gathered our luggage yet again at the edge of Gundai field.

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Clouds began to settle in, but we were elated when, at 4 p.m., we heard a helicopter approaching.  It was high overhead, almost obscured by the clouds.  

 

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  We waved with all our might!

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But it, too, flew away.  Our hearts fell.  What was going on?

 

We found out after Alvilda, yet again, ran up to "the reception point" cell phone in hand, and got a call from the pilot.  He was reassuring.  He hadn't forgotten us. He had clearly seen us, but as he looked down at Gundai field, however,  he had noticed that take-off with five of us and our baggage would require a horizontal angle to be safe.  However, that horizontal route was currently blocked by the many trees around the edges of the field.  He requested that some be cut down. He promised to be back to pick us up within an hour.

Stanley set to the job.  Fortunately, he had already earmarked those trees for cutting as they were dead and it was easier to keep them standing until they would actually be needed for firewood.

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All the children gathered to watch this new excitement.

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As the clouds continued to gather, we found it hard to believe that a helicopter would be able to make it in, with or without the trees.

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But at 16:35, the familiar sound alerted us to its approach. The pilot came down to the altitude of Gundai field and flew in just under the cloud cover.

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Alvilda, who was still up the trail at the cellphone reception spot, watched as people,  surprised by the strong wind of the helicopter blades, scattered to the sides of the field.

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The helicopter turned and landed.  It was 4:37 p.m. 

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And now there was no time to lose.  Alvilda greeted the intrepid pilot.

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Our luggage was loaded..... 

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.... and our last goodbyes were said in haste.

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Philippa piled in next to the pilot. 

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Alicia, Alvilda, Shiva and I took our places in the four seats behind the pilot, luggage crammed in among our feet.  Each of us was poised with a camera at the ready for take-off.

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Preoccupation with photographing this unexpected and rather alarming adventure kept my mind off the deep sorrow I felt at my departure.  

 

I had met the elders, Nintup, Mbana, Aikapo, Konduai, and Dimbonk who I had known as teenagers in the 1960s. They had introduced me graciously to their children and grandchildren.  

 

I had only barely started to learn about their 21st century life.  

 

Would it be possible to stay in touch?

 

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