Chapters 13-16 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 13, "Irian Jaya: the Highlands" begins with Rita's plan to spend three weeks trekking through the highlands before meeting Michael. She is very out of shape, and it's very challenging for her. However, she finds a group of people who are willing to stay with her and help her. Her knowledge of the Indonesian language comes in handy when they are at the airport. Rita finds out why their flights are delayed, and by talking with the customs man, manages to get on one of the first planes out. As they travel through the mountains, the hikers stop in different villages. She and her new friends do not speak the languages of the villagers, but they sing some English songs and listen to others sing songs in their languages. News of their singing seems to go on ahead of...