Dirt, Seed and Bread
Some of my delightful & precious PNG family I sat hunched over the cherry-red rocks in the tiny outdoor kitchen ( haus kuk ) . My "brother" plucked the rocks gingerly from the fire with metal tongs and laid them gently in and around the vegetables and meat nestled in a bowl of tin foil. My "sister" handed me more vegetable and meat to pile on top and then set about dashing ginger, garlic, onion and other seasonings over the sizzling heap. Coconut milk splashed down onto the rocks and food, and an aromatic steam filled the haus kuk. All of us worked quickly to cover up the steaming "crock pot" of sorts called a mumu (in Tok Pisin). I smiled up at my "siblings" and my “nieces” and "nephews" poking their head in at the door. More family sat outside and I plucked one of my "nephews" out of my "Mama's" hands. Banana trees swayed at the edge of my vision and my "nephew" and I walked over