Merry Christmas

Last Friday night we had our Holiday program at Centro Formacao Joao Paulo II, a beauiful garden setting where you can walk among the Stations of the Cross. I'm leaving this Sat. for Bali and then home on Dec. 18 for two weeks to enjoy family and friends!

Loi Krathong, a Thai celebration at the end of November during the full moon. We dined family style at a Thai restaurant on the beach and afterwards lit paper lanterns releasing them over the seas thus releasing bad spirits and welcoming good thoughts. In Thailand when they do this, the planes have to be diverted because of the thousands of lanterns flying upwards. It was thrilling to be a part of this!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

The Many Faces....

The Resistance Museum was opened a short time ago.  I was very impressed with all the information explaining the Timorese's struggle for independence.  I'm definitely going back.  When I arrived, the President was just leaving.  I wanted to get his photo, but security wouldn't let me.

On Sunday, I participated in a 5K Walk/10K Run for charity.  Many people of all nationalities were either walking or running.  Please check out this foundation which supports women entrepreneurs in East Timor.  http://www.alolafoundation.org/

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception--like many Catholic churches the inside was spectacular.  It claims to be the largest cathedral in Southeast Asia with seating for 2000 people.  I watched as they got ready for Saturday Mass.

And more faces....

Nov. 16-Yes, that's me! Please read further to find out more!

I had to go to the local clinic for a blood test and chest xray for my work visa.  This was the mode of transportation by one of the QSI workers.  I told him I hadn't been on a motorcycle for about 20 years.  He went slower than usual, but I still said my prayers!!!  The Timorese drivers are a little better than the Mongolian drivers.

A typical scene at a third world clinic/hospital.  When I got my chest xray, I just used the gown that others had obviously used.  I prayed to more gods!!!

November 12-This is Karis and Steve. They are British and have lived in Timor Leste for seven years. They have quite a story to tell as they were here in 2006 when expats had to be evacuated. Fortunately, they made the last plane out by crawling through a hole in the airport fence as shooting was going on not too far away!

Karis and Steve live at the Ocean View Hotel and I spent the morning having coffee with them enjoying the view of the blue ocean.  As I look out over the vastness of the Timor Sea/Pacific Ocean, I feel connected to all of you.

Here and below are photos of my new abode which I call my cottage.

Pretty nice pool!  I'm working on doing laps.

Mistina also lives in the same compound and this is a view from her deck.

November has come and so has more heat and humidity and mosquitoes. I woke up Saturday feeling like Dracula's bride so I purchased the biggest can of bug spray I could find and took on the task like the Terminator! Of course, I realize I could still be in -40 degree weather! Below are some scenes from my wonderful week off. Enjoy!

This is the Presidential Palace built by President Jose Ramos-Horta.  Read about his interesting life.  Zone (my spelling) was "my guard."  He wanted me to tutor him in English.  However, I respectfully declined.



President Ramos-Horta recruited spear-wielding warriors in traditional dress to guard the palace.

I had lunch right here at the BeachSide Hotel/Restaurant at Areia Branca, Dili.

To be a child again!

There was a two-man crew cleaning up the beach.  After collecting the trash, they burnt it right along the side of the road.

How often do you see a pig strolling along the beach?

It was fascinating to watch him cast his net over and over again!  They sell the fish right on the roadside.

Sat., Oct. 27, Lunch at Ocean View Hotel/Restaurant

I hope you can tell how remote this restaurant is.  A teacher friend lives here at the hotel.  It took me an hour to walk.  I was the only one walking at 12:30 in the heat and humidity.  But well worth the experience!  I sat in the far corner.

I really didn't want to leave!



Yummy prawns!

Delicious mango with ice cream!

This and below are photos from my walk to the restaurant.

They really wanted their pictures taken!

You can drive over these mountains to get to the beaches on the otherside.  I'm told it's a beautiful drive, but dicey in areas!

QSI Newsletter about me joining their team!http://dili.qsischool.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Issue-8.pdf

Please read the blog for Oct., 2012

While walking on the beach with Mistina, QSI teacher, I took this photo of the Jesus statue.

Paradise.  Dinner with Mistina at a Thai restaurant right on the sand.

We were entertained by horses.

When I walk to school, I pass this mosque and several times have heard the prayer call at 5am!

I walk to school on this street and enjoy watching the vendors get ready for the day.

The view along "Hwy 1" near my hotel.

Maria, my aide performing in a Greek play during a 3-day workshop.

America has come to East Timor.  Timor Plaza is a new (6 mos.), small indoor mall.  They do have a small bookstore that I need to investigate!

View of the street scene from my hotel's restaurant.

A picture is worth a thousand words!

Ditto!

 

Welcome to my new adventure in East Timor or as they say Timor-Leste.  I left Saturday, Oct. 13 at 1am on a flight from LAX on Eva Airlines (would highly recommend them) to Taipei (14hours), to Bali (5hours) with an overnight stay there and finally arriving Monday, Oct. 15 in the capital city of Dili.  I’m staying at the Dili Beach Hotel on what I like to call Hwy 1 until my apartment is ready around Nov. 1.  It’s also on “Hwy 1” next to the US Embassy (it’s nice to have friends in high places). 

I work for Quality Schools International teaching six and seven year olds.  I have eighteen students: American, British, Australian, Korean, African, and Timorese.  I also have a full-time aide, Maria, from the Philippines.  The teachers and staff are wonderful, already including me in various activities.  Last night I tried my hand or feet at Tango lessons with some nice Portuguese guys.  Apparently, this is a very close and tight expat community.

There are plenty of taxis around (driving British style), but you need to negotiate with them before driving off (I found out the hard way), but right now I’m walking to school which takes about fifteen minutes and actually very pleasant.  Of course, I’m not dealing with snow/ice and -40 degree weather, but it is hot and humid which can be draining.  But those nice breezes do pop up.    

When I first arrived, I was taken by the friendly attitude of the Timorese people, always greeting you with a smile.  They speak a combination of Portuguese and their own language.

Dili is the capital with 200,000 people.  And East Timor has about a million.  The illiteracy rate is 67% and children are only required to attend school until second grade.  This is a third world country that is changing.  East Timor became independent from Indonesia in 2002.  They are definitely in the birthing process.  The UN has been a presence for a while, but is scheduled to pull out in Dec.  There are different opinions as to what that will entail.  However, it’s certainly interesting living in a place with UN vehicles everywhere.

I’m new to this blogging and will try and keep it up with more text and photos.  Please join and make comments.  You can also contact me through my email: dianeheight@gmail.com or Skype: bodhi14

Phone number here: 670 (country code) 78002895

To call me you need to dial 011-670-78002895, not sure it will work, but I was able to call my nephew.

 

As always,

Diane