By total chance I happened across a page from the University of Hawaii Ag Service and they are selling papaya seeds for $1.00 a pkt, postage included!  (They actually list a strange variety of other things that might be of interest, but - sorry - no figs.)  I have not ordered from them (and don't plan to) but I thought some folks here might be interested in looking into this:

http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/seed/seeds.asp

(Note the GMO varieties that are more expensive cannot be shipped off the islands).

I did a Papaya experiment this year, late summer.  Bought a Papaya from the store and got the seeds out of it.  Each seed is surrounded by a little clear sac.  I rubbed them on a towel to bust the sacs prior to planting in a bucket and just covered the seeds.  In a week or so I guess every one of them sprouted.  That was my goal, just to see if I could get them to sprout.  They have been out by the figs in their bucket.  Crowded and pretty much neglected but still alive, even after some very cool nights lately but they looking bad.

       

The Papaya was pretty expensive or so I thought, about $7 but it was enjoyed and a fun learning experience germinating.  
 

This reminds me of one time when I opened up a payaya and i almost crapped myself. When I cut the thing open the seeds had all sprouted roots but i didn't know this so when i opened it i thought I was worms and then I jumped up and threw the fruit at the wall and I later got yelled at. Just a little story I felt like sharing.

Oooh, great find PhilaGardener. I will check this out.  Thanks!

Great job Charlie!! You are always thinking outside the box my Friend! :  )

Wow, full of papayas. I had a Solo papaya tree for a while but didn't produce too much.  It was too close to the house so I had to chop it down. Are these all the maradols papaya trees or are they different ones?