- Many Australians wear Bintang Beer T-shirts in Bali.
- An elderly woman walks beside the road near Ubud on a hot day with her shirt unbuttoned -- her tanned skin glistens in the sunlight.
- Hawkers in Bali call everyone "boss" -- "hey boss, need transport?"
- A monkey at the Ulu Watu Temple grabs a man's glasses and tries to put them on. (the man eventually gets them back)
- When I see the Balinese dish Nasi Goreng (fried rice) on the menu, I think "Nazi Goring."
- The best pizza in Bali is at the Kumala Pantai Hotel Restaurant.
- There's almost no public seating at Gate 9 at the airport in Bali, but there are lots of places to get foot massages at this gate.
- One way streets are almost always two-way -- look both ways!
- Women carry bricks on their heads (among other things!)
- Driving seems chaotic, but Balinese are courteous drivers.
- A man with a machine gun guards the ATM at the Matahari Department Store.
- You can get a fish massage at the Matahari Department Store. (People pay to put their feet in a big bowl of water and the fish kiss their feet. It tickles.)
- Service in Bali is excellent -- usually.
- Fewer mosquitoes than in Timor-Leste.
- It's nice not having to sleep under a mosquito net.
- McDonalds has a billboard that says "Missing home?"
- There are Circle K's on every corner in Bali.
- You can return a pirated DVD within seven days for a replacement -- no refunds, usually.
- The water temperature in the ocean feels like bath water.
- There are a growing number of billboards in Russian -- as more Russians discover Bali.
- A Gamalon orchestra performs in a shopping mall -- complete with characters from the Ramayana.
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Sunday, November 1, 2009
Observations in Bali
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Friday, October 23, 2009
Caged at the Gym
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As I worked out on the "stepper" at the gym -- a half dozen kids stared at me through the bars as if I was nuts -- a bit further away -- their parents and probably 30 other people -- did the same. It was as if they were thinking: "why would anyone want to work himself into a sweat like that."
Two cultures colliding at the gym the other night.
A half dozen or so "foreigners" like me inside the gym -- raising our heart rates and pumping iron -- while dozens of Timorese stood just outside -- raising their eyebrows and gazing through the iron bars of the front floor-to-ceiling glass-less windows. It felt like being at the zoo and being one of the attractions.
They were there to celebrate an engagement -- the party brought together the two families. One of whom lived in the same compound as our gym -- hence the takeover of the gym parking lot.
The party music was almost ear-piercing -- seemingly a conversation stopper -- but somehow people managed to make themselves heard. Many were seated in cheap plastic chairs -- waiting. Some ten minutes into my "stepper" routine, the wait ended as the feast was brought to the long table under the white tent in the parking lot. Heaps and heaps of fresh fruits, chicken, potatoes and other root vegetables -- fresh salads and beef.
It made me want to give up the stepper and get in line for the food.
A colleague who was a friend of the family told me the next day that I should have stuck around -- the dancing started around 10 p.m. and went on until the wee hours of the morning.
Now that's an engagement party!
Two cultures colliding at the gym the other night.
A half dozen or so "foreigners" like me inside the gym -- raising our heart rates and pumping iron -- while dozens of Timorese stood just outside -- raising their eyebrows and gazing through the iron bars of the front floor-to-ceiling glass-less windows. It felt like being at the zoo and being one of the attractions.
They were there to celebrate an engagement -- the party brought together the two families. One of whom lived in the same compound as our gym -- hence the takeover of the gym parking lot.
The party music was almost ear-piercing -- seemingly a conversation stopper -- but somehow people managed to make themselves heard. Many were seated in cheap plastic chairs -- waiting. Some ten minutes into my "stepper" routine, the wait ended as the feast was brought to the long table under the white tent in the parking lot. Heaps and heaps of fresh fruits, chicken, potatoes and other root vegetables -- fresh salads and beef.
It made me want to give up the stepper and get in line for the food.
A colleague who was a friend of the family told me the next day that I should have stuck around -- the dancing started around 10 p.m. and went on until the wee hours of the morning.
Now that's an engagement party!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Too Smart for Our Own Good
Monday, October 12, 2009
Return of the Ants
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A refreshing shower turns into a frenzy about once a week around here. Tiny, red ants seem to get into the towels and the clothes. It seems to be a losing battle.
These ants seem to like towels most of all and they can hide in them quite easily, particularly the dark ones. I've taken to shaking the towels, but occasionally I forget and that's when I get nailed.
This evening, I've got tiny bites on my neck, arms and thighs -- the worst part is they are so tiny you just can't always see them.
These ants seem to like towels most of all and they can hide in them quite easily, particularly the dark ones. I've taken to shaking the towels, but occasionally I forget and that's when I get nailed.
This evening, I've got tiny bites on my neck, arms and thighs -- the worst part is they are so tiny you just can't always see them.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Like a Sauna in Here!
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A decent gym has finally opened in Dili.
It's fully-equipped -- except for one thing -- AC. It really is like exercising inside a sauna. The temperature is probably 90 degrees with high humidity. The gym motto should be: "you will lose weight."
It's fully-equipped -- except for one thing -- AC. It really is like exercising inside a sauna. The temperature is probably 90 degrees with high humidity. The gym motto should be: "you will lose weight."
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Eight More Lives Left
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This little guy is one tough customer. He was sleeping on a ledge yesterday afternoon -- dreaming kitten dreams -- when he rolled and fell at least 25 feet onto the concrete below. A colleague immediately called up to me -- having seen the kitten hit the ground. We both stood over the kitten -- which wasn't moving for at least two minutes. Suddenly -- it started to move it's little legs, tail and head. I picked it up and took it back to its mom.
The kitten was quiet for the next four hours or so -- sleeping in its little box. It did eat some fish and a bit of milk.
By dark, the kitten was up and about running around with his brother and sister.
I've decided to call the kitten Muna -- which means "fall" in Tetum, the main Timorese language.
i
This little guy is one tough customer. He was sleeping on a ledge yesterday afternoon -- dreaming kitten dreams -- when he rolled and fell at least 25 feet onto the concrete below. A colleague immediately called up to me -- having seen the kitten hit the ground. We both stood over the kitten -- which wasn't moving for at least two minutes. Suddenly -- it started to move it's little legs, tail and head. I picked it up and took it back to its mom. The kitten was quiet for the next four hours or so -- sleeping in its little box. It did eat some fish and a bit of milk.
By dark, the kitten was up and about running around with his brother and sister.
I've decided to call the kitten Muna -- which means "fall" in Tetum, the main Timorese language.
i
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Walking Man
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Jean Beliveau has worn out 43 pairs of shoes over the past nine years -- walking the planet. He arrived in Timor-Leste today and I had a chance to chat with him. 
Jean is from Montreal and left on his journey on August 18, 2000 -- walking to South America -- flew across the Atlantic -- to the southern tip of Africa and northward. Click on his website, www.wwwalk.org, to see his route.
He says he's walking to promote peace and non-violence. During our chat, he said his plan was to walk from west to east across Timor before heading down to Australia and then New Zealand and then across the south pacific and then walk across southern Canada to Montreal.
Jean expects his trip will take a total of eleven years.
Jean is from Montreal and left on his journey on August 18, 2000 -- walking to South America -- flew across the Atlantic -- to the southern tip of Africa and northward. Click on his website, www.wwwalk.org, to see his route.He says he's walking to promote peace and non-violence. During our chat, he said his plan was to walk from west to east across Timor before heading down to Australia and then New Zealand and then across the south pacific and then walk across southern Canada to Montreal.
Jean expects his trip will take a total of eleven years.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Ferry Ride to Oecussi
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The overnight ferry to Oecussi from Dili takes about 11 hours. It leaves Dili about 5pm, so as soon as one climbs board, there's a scramble to find a place on deck to stretch out and bed down for the night.
Some sleep, some talk and others play cards all night.
Among the passengers were several pigs, cows, goats and this feathery barn yard bird -- his head poking out of a sack.
As with most ferries in this part of the world, it was packed with people -- there is hardly room to walk. For instance, getting to the toilet in the middle of the night is like running an obstacle course -- tip-toeing over body parts of men, women and lots of children.
There were a lot fewer passengers on board for the return trip from Oecussi to Dili.
As we pulled out of the Oecussi dock, these fishermen in their little boat passed behind us -- heading for the port.
Sunset off Oecussi on September 4
The overnight ferry to Oecussi from Dili takes about 11 hours. It leaves Dili about 5pm, so as soon as one climbs board, there's a scramble to find a place on deck to stretch out and bed down for the night.Some sleep, some talk and others play cards all night.
Among the passengers were several pigs, cows, goats and this feathery barn yard bird -- his head poking out of a sack.
As with most ferries in this part of the world, it was packed with people -- there is hardly room to walk. For instance, getting to the toilet in the middle of the night is like running an obstacle course -- tip-toeing over body parts of men, women and lots of children.
There were a lot fewer passengers on board for the return trip from Oecussi to Dili.
As we pulled out of the Oecussi dock, these fishermen in their little boat passed behind us -- heading for the port.
Sunset off Oecussi on September 4
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Donkeys, Azerbaijan and Freedom of Expression (or lack thereof)
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More than two months ago, this video showed up on youtube. Not long after it was released, two bloggers in Azerbaijan were jailed on hooliganism charges after they were beaten up in a restaurant.
The bloggers say they were having dinner with friends when two thugs walked in and started a fight. When the two bloggers went to the police to report the attack -- the bloggers, themselves, were arrested -- and have remained in jail ever since.
Their lawyer says the arrests are politically motivated. Azeri authorities deny that claim -- saying they're investigating a criminal case.
In this video, with subtitles, the donkey goes on about the benefits of living in Azerbaijan and praises the government for its kind treatment of donkeys.
Many people say the video represents a typical government news conference.
The Azeri Government is taking this matter very seriously -- the two bloggers face up to five years in prison.
The bloggers say they were having dinner with friends when two thugs walked in and started a fight. When the two bloggers went to the police to report the attack -- the bloggers, themselves, were arrested -- and have remained in jail ever since.
Their lawyer says the arrests are politically motivated. Azeri authorities deny that claim -- saying they're investigating a criminal case.
In this video, with subtitles, the donkey goes on about the benefits of living in Azerbaijan and praises the government for its kind treatment of donkeys.
Many people say the video represents a typical government news conference.
The Azeri Government is taking this matter very seriously -- the two bloggers face up to five years in prison.
Monday, August 31, 2009
The Birth of a Nation - Ten Years After
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August 30, 1999 is a historic day in Timorese history. Ten years ago, the people voted to break-away from Indonesia. Portugal had given the Timorese people their independence in the mid-1970's. Nine days after independence from Portugal, Indonesia invaded and occupied the country for 24 years.
It was a hard fought independence. It's estimated that 100,000 people lost their lives from fighting, disease and starvation during that quarter century of Indonesian-occupation.
After the referendum in 1999, the Indonesian Army and its militias went on a rampage -- infrastructure was destroyed and hundreds of thousands of people fled. Some 14-hundred people were killed before UN peacekeepers arrived.
Last evening, thousands of people crowded into the area around the seaside Government Palace to celebrate the anniversary. It was an orderly crowd. Lots of families and small children. Timor's birth rate has exploded since independence. It's not unusual for some couples to have six or seven children. Birth rate was controlled during Indonesian times.
Ironically, on the stage last night for the evening of performances was a famous Indonesian singer. She received a warm welcome. I asked several Timorese if they thought it was a bit odd that Indonesians would be involved in such a celebration and most shrugged their shoulders. Despite what happened, Timorese don't seem to hold any animosity toward their neighbors.
August 30, 1999 is a historic day in Timorese history. Ten years ago, the people voted to break-away from Indonesia. Portugal had given the Timorese people their independence in the mid-1970's. Nine days after independence from Portugal, Indonesia invaded and occupied the country for 24 years.It was a hard fought independence. It's estimated that 100,000 people lost their lives from fighting, disease and starvation during that quarter century of Indonesian-occupation.
After the referendum in 1999, the Indonesian Army and its militias went on a rampage -- infrastructure was destroyed and hundreds of thousands of people fled. Some 14-hundred people were killed before UN peacekeepers arrived.
Last evening, thousands of people crowded into the area around the seaside Government Palace to celebrate the anniversary. It was an orderly crowd. Lots of families and small children. Timor's birth rate has exploded since independence. It's not unusual for some couples to have six or seven children. Birth rate was controlled during Indonesian times.
Ironically, on the stage last night for the evening of performances was a famous Indonesian singer. She received a warm welcome. I asked several Timorese if they thought it was a bit odd that Indonesians would be involved in such a celebration and most shrugged their shoulders. Despite what happened, Timorese don't seem to hold any animosity toward their neighbors.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Road from Baucau
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In the distance, you can see a man walking with a young boy. The man is carrying a rooster in his arms. As he passed our SUV, the little boy's mom ran out and grabbed the boy -- apparently trying to keep him from going to the cock fight. The boy grabbed the man's leg and refused to let go. I'm not sure how it wind up. We pulled away amid the struggle.
In the distance, you can see a man walking with a young boy. The man is carrying a rooster in his arms. As he passed our SUV, the little boy's mom ran out and grabbed the boy -- apparently trying to keep him from going to the cock fight. The boy grabbed the man's leg and refused to let go. I'm not sure how it wind up. We pulled away amid the struggle.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Still Recovering
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There are hundreds and hundreds of buildings in Timor-Leste that look like this one. Many were burned after the August 30, 1999 referendum in which the vast majority of East Timorese citizens voted for independence from Indonesia. Just after the referendum, anti-independence groups, organized and supported by the Indonesian military, launched a scorched-earth campaign.
There are hundreds and hundreds of buildings in Timor-Leste that look like this one. Many were burned after the August 30, 1999 referendum in which the vast majority of East Timorese citizens voted for independence from Indonesia. Just after the referendum, anti-independence groups, organized and supported by the Indonesian military, launched a scorched-earth campaign.
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