Where has the time gone?

It feels like I just got to East Timor, but I left DC almost four weeks ago (sure it took 30+ hours to get here...). But now it is time to get ready to head back to the US, leave Dili on Friday - a 35 hour layover in Bali with another 10 hours at Narita. By the time I make it back to DC, I will be good and tired of airplanes and airports.

Not feeling too loquacious today (I am sad to say my back has been bothering me more the last few days), but wanted to share a quick update and a few pictures from my last few weeks here.

Two weeks ago, I took a trip into the mountains to visit some farmers. It was a 2.5 hour drive through narrow and windy roads up to Maubisse, but we managed to go up and back in one day.










The weekend included a very long walk from downtown Dili to the top of the Cristo Rei, a 27 meter high replica of the Rio statue. It was a long day and I am proud to say that I mostly managed not to burn myself.









Sunday was a day at the beach. First brunch with some new friends, followed by a nap back at the hotel and then an afternoon of snorkeling and even a glass of wine.











My absentee ballot for the elections was appropriately cast, despite some problems with DC government and the fact that I doubt my ballot was even counted - being that I live in DC. Not the closest of elections. Mid-morning on Wednesday November 5th, all Americans in Timor were invited to the Ambassador's Residence to watch the election returns. It was quite a animated crowd. I was expecting that people would be somewhat shy about their political affiliations, but I was quite wrong! All the democratic paraphernalia went quickly. Anybody want a McCain/Palin button, plenty were left. After the final speeches, had to go back to work, but the party continued later in the evening.








The following day, I headed off on another road trip to Baucau, to the east of Dili. We went to visit a few current partners. It was a long three hours, but a spectacular drive. The day ended with a lovely walk through "old" Baucua, when I was able to take a few more pictures. I love this one of the kids on the bike - they were definitely showing off for me! After a night in the fancy hotel/pousada we headed right back to Dili. Another day with a lot of driving.











But now this trip is coming to an end and I am looking forward to heading back to DC. Although, I am a bit worried about the cold weather, I don't think the air conditioning has prepared me for the cold.

Coconut on the beach...

So, I have been in Timor for a week now. It's been an interesting one. Mostly meeting with the commercial services and business development staff. It's been several months since they have had the support that they have needed, so it has been good just to sit down and listen to them.
Life in Timor, at least from what I have seen, is pretty nice. Is is beautiful, but very different than the lush greenery of Aceh. It is incredibly arid now, everything is so dry and dusty. Although, I believe that rainy season is just around the corner.

I found a lovely place to get a good Balinese massage. I already have my VIP card in hand (ok, so it is not very hard to get a VIP card, they offer them to everyone) which is good for my 10% discount. The $20 for 60 minutes and $25 for 90 minutes is steep by Bali standards, bet well worth it in Dili. I even went twice last week. Do you think I can claim that as a medical expense?

I moved into a much nicer hotel, so am feeling much more comfortable. Place is nice enough that there is even internet access. I am writing from my lovely little room right now. It is amazing how I am - at the same time both used to the challenges of international travel, yet appreciate the luxuries - like regular electricity hot water, air conditioning and something so extravagant as internet access. And Timor even has good food. There is a lovely beachfront Thai restaurant and even several Japanese restaurants. I feel so spoiled to get to eat good food in such a nice location.

I went to Timorese wedding this weekend. The ceremony was on the church on the top of the hill where the new Pope John Paul II statue was recently built. It is quite a jaunt up the hill, luckily we were able to drive up the tretuous road instead of walking up the hill. It was a traditional Catholic wedding in Tutun, or at least I think it was, I didn't understand that much of the ceremony. I did find it a little ironic that I got in a little light reading during the ceremony "Will Storr vs. the Supernatural."

This morning I had a nice brunch at a beachfront restaurant. I then took a nice walk west along the beach road. It was so nice to enjoy the scenery and get in a bit of exercise. I also got to see a little bit of local Sunday life, at the beach.

Who needs clothes when you can sit on the beach eating a coconut?
Do not ask for a reenactment!

Timor-Leste

Ok, so I am no longer in Indonesia after my nasty encounter with a 400 pound iron gate. After two months trying to get better in Banda Aceh - which was a miserable failure, I spent the last four and a half months living with the lovely family in DC ... doctors, physical therapy and lots of really bad TV.

I arrived in Dili, East Timor yesterday about midday. I felt fine for the first several hours, although the back was a bit achy. I was desperately trying to stay awake to get adjusted to the time zone, but only made it to 8:00 pm. I did make a quick trip to the supermarket for a bottle of water and some spicy guacamole pringles. The exhaustion may have been helped on by watching the final presidential debate replay on CNN, but after some 40 hours of travel I probably deserved to be tired.

Today I was up nice and early and decided to take a few pictures. I am staying at a place across from the beach. Not the nicest place in town, but it will do for now.

plasmodium vivax ...

Yes, 40 countries and years (cumulative) of living in malaria-prone countries and I have finally been diagnosed with my first case of malaria. I took my first malaria test today and as an overachiever, I got a positive result. Go me! I am doing ok, just really freaking exhausted with those typical flu-like symptom (and freaking neurotic about mosquitoes). I have to admit, I am not 100% convinced of my diagnosis - considering it came from a laboratory in Banda Aceh. (I sometimes think that they want to give you at least one positive result so you can take some drugs.) My three day regimen cost me a whopping $0.11. Yes, that is eleven cents. I go back for a follow up blood test on Wednesday. They wanted me to come back on Thursday, but I leave on Thursday for Bangkok. I am going to Thailand for training. So, I am hoping to make it to a doctor there to get another opinion. I'll keep you updated!