This photo explains it all in Dili, or Timor-Leste for that matter – infrastructure in need of work, flashy UN trucks, sun and sand, and rising mountains in the distance. Outside of these Dili gates, the population decreases dramatically and things start to get calmer, almost tranquil if you don’t have to think about what the Timorese had to go through in the last 30 years.
There’s a lot to do in Dili… Bicycling, walks on the beach, running to/up Christo Rei, scuba-diving, snorkelling, etc. The only problem is that it’s so darn hot here that you either have to do it early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Last I checked it was 35C, and with the rainy season upon us, there isn’t much cooling down at night because of the humidity. So what better thing to do than laze around (possibly in air-con… sorry environment) and read a book. After having read somewhere that there’s no decent bookstore in Dili, we decided to bring a few books with us. I’m currently reading “Fast Food: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal“. If you want to know what goes into a McDonald’s meal and/or what’s involved in making a hamburger, check out this book… you might want to change your eating habits.
If you know of someone who’s coming to Dili and Timor-Leste or if you are already here, check out Dili Google Group. The group just started so it still needs lots of input and discussions from people who know Dili and Timor. Sign-up and join/add to the discussions!
Vince, thanks for the book recommendation, I’ve just started reading it. Very interesting.