17/01/2006: First Blog Post From Timor Leste.

Well, what can I say??? This country is so so different, with such a painful past and such an uncertain future, all of which make it fascinating (and difficult) to be here.

In a few days I have seen so much and met so many interesting people who are here for many different reasons.

When I arrived, after such a long flight (40 hours +) I was tired but I was very anxious to explore, so I hired a taxi for a few hours (one of the few cheap things!) and went looking around and even had time to buy an indispensable work tool: a mobile phone. Dili is a small capital in a all country. You can see the brutal effects of the recent violent destruction and it is obvious that it is very poor – it´s actually the fourth poorest country in the world. There is hardly any economy and the country is trying to find solutions – if properly managed, the promised gas and oil revenues will make a dramatic change to the country´s fortunes. You can also see many people who have been scarred physically by what happened under the Indonesian rule – many people have cuts, burns and bulletmarks on their bodies. BUT what is amazing is that they are extremely friendly people with few signs of bitterness and are very willing to help you out and give you a big warm smile. This makes it hard to imagine that what happened is such recent history - the country was independent in 2002 and the events have been described as one of the worst atrocities of recent times.

The food is fairly simple and tasty and has Portuguese, Indonesian and Asian influences. There is a fairly wide choice of restaurants, alot thanks to the UN´s massive recent presence. But the UN have almost left completely, so many restaurants have had to shut down. Tourism has interesting potential, as it is a beautiful country with great beaches and diving, but this has hardly been developed. You find few tourists, but many NGO workers and consultants.
It is very expensive! For example, where I am staying is one of the better hotels, and it is good, but nothing really special, and costs 80 USD per day, and that´s with a discount! Meals and drinks are similar to Spanish prices, if not more. Being here without accommodation and food expenses paid is not very viable, as you would need to earn much more than an average Spanish wage.

I have only been here since last Wednesday, but have already met many people, including some of my local NGO contacts. At first, it was very daunting and the first day was terrible, as I thought “what am I doing here alone?” and “what am I letting myself in for!” but already I feel calmer, and am meeting people on a social and professional level. As they say – “what doesn´t kill you, makes you stronger”…I just want to do a good job here, and help people live with dignity and joy, people who deserve so much better. Let´s see how it goes.

A lot of things just happen by chance here, so you have to be very friendly and energetic to get things done.
Right now, I am in my hotel room/office organising my work and thoughts: it would be great to work on the beach (in front of my hotel) but it´s a tropical country – very hot, with occasional rain. But I have been walking around a lot, to “feel” the place.
Can´t wait for Estrella to join me here (I miss you!!xxx) and learn how to swim (very very necessary!) , and just enjoy being on a tropical, unspoilt island together, as well as working on such a worthwhile project.
Crazy stuff: they love Bollywood here and know all the actors, and there is even a Bollywood hit song translated into the local language “Tetum”!!
They even have Tata Sumo cars that were apparently donated to the transition government a couple of years ago – they look old even when they´re new!!

Today´s plan:
1) Power Breakfast! Eggs, Bacon, Sausages, Grilled Tomatoes, Toast, Coffee, Cereal, Fruit and Fruit Juice.
2) Visit to see a possible house/office
3) Office work/computer + Calls
4) Cybercafe – it´s very hard to get a fast internet connection
5) Meeting possible future employee
6) See more houses
7) Office work + See a DVD in my room? – “Hotel Ruanda”? (very good copy bought in a pirate copy CD/DVD “Chinese Shop” on the weekend)

Tomorrow I will make a trip with the mobile ambulance of one of the projects we (http://www.intervida.org/) are funding, the “Bairo Pite Clinic” which attends around 400 people a day, with very few resources – should be very enlightening.
Also, hope to start Tetum classes soon.

Thanks for reading. That´s all for now, but will update regularly with text and photos.

Hugs and Lots of Love,

Bal xxx