Author Archives: Squatter

Security Situasaun

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Recent deaths around town and other anecdotal evidence suggests that the security situation is tending towards deterioration.  Most long-term expats tend to ignore the isolated incidents until it affects them personally.  It’s nothing like last year or early this year, but the worm seems to be heading up slowly once again.

I have heard of a couple of incidents where ex-pats have been cornered by groups of locals where the aim appears to have been to take money.  As in the past, solo women seem to be  deemed an easier target.  Travelling down small narrow laneways or taking taxis seem to be the higher risk movements.  And being followed after using one of the ANZ ATM money machines to load up with cash.

Last year, I developed the habit of using an old decrepit wallet with only the bare essentials in it.  So if I am ever done over, I am hoping the moths will tickle them into submission.  I am also tempted to install a personal protection device (ie a big stick) on my bicycle.  Some would say I am also taking ugly pills – sorry, but no … it’s genetic.

First Lady Cup Fun Run Placegetters

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For the record, here are the placegetters this year :

Place Women Men
1. Ines Borges (38.25) Elias Da Deus (32.52)
2. Aliaca Alin Soares
3. Silvina Babo Francisco Dos Santos
4. Emma Roche (ISF) Januario da Costa
5. Megan Webber (ISF) Jose April
6. Fidelia Martins Henry Stimpson (ISF)
7. Kate Shore (ISF) Tebea Dea (ISF)
8. Dalia Amaral Domingos da Silva
9. Alisa Kreynes (HHH) Idelfonso Dos Santos
10. Jenny Asman (HHH) Aderyto Perera

All runners Timorese (including many from Timor Athletics Association) except :
ISF – International Stabilisation Force
HHH – Dili Hash House Harriers

Any help with spelling appreciated.

First Lady Run

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I said : “I overtrained”
They said : “You under-trained”

I said : “I must have gone to bed too early”
They said : “Did you go to bed at all?”

I said : “I should have gone to church this morning”
They said : “You wouldn’t know a church if you fell over one”

I said : “I must be allergic to green sports drinks”
They said : “Allergy my ar##”

I said : “Yep, THAT’s what I am allergic to !”

And so went the analysis of my extremely marginal improvement over last year’s performance at the First Lady Cup fun run.

It was a great day, well organised, great band, top effort by all the organisers.

It should be noted that Timorese runners came in the first three in both the mens and the womens.  The ISF had a few places in there and one or two un-military ex-pats.

I am currently in training for next year.  Yeah right !!!

More events for the athletes

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If you are in Dili and you don’t already know about the 3rd Annual First Lady run, you must live under a rock.  It is on this coming Sunday with an 8am start.  See my previous post.  It is never too late.  Just be there outside the Palacio.

On Saturday 1 December, there will be the “Ride for Peace” bicycle event from Maubisse to Dili.  It will start at 6am from Maubisse which implies an overnight stay in Maubisse with your bicycle, helmet and not much else.  There will be support along the 70km route with drinks etc.  There is no entry fee and there will be a lunch provided at the end.  Watch for more details but again, if you want to do it, just be there in Maubisse at 6am that morning with your bicycle and helmet (compulsory).  Take your camera and don’t worry about being first.  Enjoy – you may never do it again.

Yep, it did rain again

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Having previously bagged the forecasters for predicting rain which never came, it finally did come on Tuesday via an afternoon bucketting.  It really tested the newly constructed drains around town but until I stand out in the rain and watch the water movement in detail, the jury is out on the usefulness of these new works.

The new drains comprise quite a high barrier on the kerb which may annoy low-slung cars no end in the door opening department.  The drain itself seems a little on the small side given rain here usually comes by the container-load when it does come.  And it is noticeable that the drain itself is a bit on the rectangular side making it a bit bumpy for vehicles entering adjoining properties.  The result is that many people have already filled in the drain outside their premises to smooth vehicular entry.  Something tells me this is not going to work.

Nevertheless, during this rare rain event, the roof at home leaked as usual, water hammered in under the back door, the front gate was reduced to a lake and it was business as usual.

Predicting Dili weather like betting on the horses

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A while back I plugged freemeteo.com as the best Dili weather report on the internet.  Up ’til then, all I ever heard was the daily Radio OZ report which told me 30+/-3 degrees every day.  Then it would tell me “cloudy all day” when it wasn’t, “thunderstorms” when there was no rain at all.

I just can’t see the point in telling me the temperature here.  I know it is going to be 27 to 34 degrees every day of the year and the temperature is not going to have any effect on what I wear or do.   The key differentiating features are humidity and whether it is going to bucket down rain or not.

When it comes to predicting rain, Dili is a bit of a forecasters nightmare.  It sits in a little bowl just between the sea and some steep hills.  At this time of the year, the clouds will often creep over the hills after lunch, look ominous then fall back again.  This can go on for weeks and it is the time that the weather reports predict rain over and over again and nothing comes even close.

Just like betting on the Melbourne Cup which had Dili Club, Dili Beach Hotel, One More Bar and others hopping on an otherwise quiet Tuesday afternoon in Dili.

Tais weaving demonstrations in Sydney

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If you live in Sydney and are into Timorese things or tais weaving and the like, Trish Johns is doing a little weaving tour starting next week.

The “Womens Woven Art” tais weaving demonstrations can be seen from 10-17 November in the afternoon in Newtown, Darlinghurst, Paddington and Erskineville.

I include the detailed advertising blurb in a PDF file downloadable here.

Of course, this massive export drive is going to make that unique tais I bought worthless – you know the one that was going to make me a hit with the chicks back in OZ !!

More eating

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“Jack’s PSE Club” (ie bar/restaurant) now operates from inside the “Palm Springs” estate which is just near the OZ Embassy. If you dream hard enough, you could almost think you are in Bali. It is in the Dili more upmarket decor category and probably a better spot for parties or functions as it is not exactly in a great spot to catch passing trade. Extensive menu.

“Hotel Vila Verde” is now actively advertising its restaurant but have not been yet. “Cafe Brasil” seems to have spun off a new classy restaurant adjacent to the current premises called “Keci Keca” – have not been there either.

“Hotel Dili 2001” down at Metiaut (ie the eating strip towards Christo Rei) has now been re-named the “Nova Horizente” which finally removes any confusion over the Hotel Dili name (ie Hotel Dili, Hotel Dili 2000, Hotel Dili 2001).

“Hotel California” seems to have completed its accommodation area and seems to be fully occupied these days. It has about a dozen rooms and a neat looking garden area. No pool but a 100m to a quiet swimmable beach.

Over the last year, the “Ocean View Hotel” and “Dili Beach Hotel” have completed the fit-out of additional accommodation out the back, including a pool at “Dili Beach Hotel”.

There is no doubt there is a general move towards quality in both eating and accommodation these days – for the well-heeled foreigner.  Check out the “Guide Post” magazine which will give you the idea.

Toothpaste

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Today and tomorrow are public holidays here in TL. Toothpaste. I have become a “Darlie” toothpaste convert. My chance to support political correctness in toothpaste. Absolution through ablution.