Southern Highlands: Special place in my heart
Southern Highlands is a mystical place full of beauty and rich in resources. Southern Highlands to me as it was in the past includes the recently established Hela Province. This is my story on how people from Southern Highlands and Hela (Both South's to me) have a special place in my heart and my life. My connections or that of my family dates back to 1960s when my grandfather (my mum's father) and his family lived in Mendi government station. The stories from my mum who was pretty young about 4-5 years old are sketchy at best but they were wonderful stories. She spoke of waking up in the morning and having to wash in crystal clear waters from a near by river in very cold temperatures. Mum learnt the language (Ialibu) and said she use to speak abit of it too. My South's connections and that of my family While growing up in the sweet sugar town Gusap (Ramu), I remember one of our first "Haus Boi" was from Tari his name was Wanu. Mum and dad didn't trust anyo...