31/01/2006: Second Blog Post From Timor Leste.

Back again!! Well it´s crazy every day here if you venture out and Networking is the key, as one person leads to another: now I even bump into people I know on my daily walks. But am making progress and learning. One thing is the same everywhere: where there are humans, there´s trouble!! There are elections next year and I deeply hope that that does not provoke any violence. Am also told continuously of the governments lack of efficiency and also about corruption issues.

BUT have found really interesting projects we could be involved in, for example this one on the island of Atauro, in front of Dili:

http://www.atauroisland.com/

Surprise: I met the only current turban wearing Sikh living here, who works for the UN, (see photo) and also went to the Indian contingents Republic Day Celebrations which comprised the TV showing of the event which took place in India (first time I´ve seen it!!), good Indian food, and more or less 20 Indians. Surreal, here in East Timor!! Well, they do love Bollywood and Tata cars tooJ

As always, anywhere in the world, the kids are so cute (see photos), charming and innocent! The special thing here is that the ethnic origins are VERY mixed – a bit like what I have seen in Cuba.

I was all excited about going to a Wedding this past Saturday with my friends from the BP Clinic, and we met up on Saturday night, all dressed up (me just a bit more than usual, which means not much). But terrible tragedy struck as a 1 year old baby, agonising because of acute malnourishment, was rushed by my friends (workers at the Clinic) to the main Hospital in Dili. We waited but quickly got the news that the child had died en route…A life here seems to have so little value, and I wonder sometimes what we are all doing with so much wealth in the world and not being able to avoid these tragedies that happen daily in many countries – Aaargh!! Neither NGOs or Governments seem to have the complete solution… So we did not feel like celebrating at all and the sufferings of severely poor countries came painfully into view again.

They seem to expect so little here: it´s another mindset. They need time and lots of steady loving support…

On a more positive note, the local Indians are really looking after me: I am very lucky that being Indian-British-Spanish! I can fit in almost anywhere. I went with two Indian friends to eat barbecued fish on Sunday night, on the beach at “Victoria´s” restaurant – one of the best activities you can do here, and it was really good, washed down with Indonesian “Bintang” beer.

And it´s impossible to forget the warmth of the locals!

Over and out but hasta pronto,
BIG HUGS,
Bal xxxxx