The city has suffered greatly from the clashes for independence, the subsequent defeat of the Indonesian army that was out of control, and the violent political tensions still present not too long ago. The buildings bombarded the city. Some colorful houses of the Portuguese colonization are still present.
At the moment the city is very quiet, we feel no danger even late at night and the atmosphere in the streets is frankly relaxed, no reason to worry.
On Sunday I go to the beach protected by a huge Christ savior on his hill. I meet naked torso soldiers in Rip-Curl shorts and the rifle slung over my shoulder.
STUCK IN THE VORTEX
Small depression
Here there are things to do: visit the villages in the mountains, see the beautiful island of Atauro, scuba diving etc …
But it is very hot, everything seems so expensive after Indonesia and the transport system is not really practical.
So in this hotel we are all caught up in Dili’s sluggish vortex.
While waiting for the Indonesian Embassy to renew my visa, I spend my days hanging out at the hotel, walking the streets of the city, going to the beach, and shopping. Nothing too tiring. My evenings are spent around a drink with the guys from the Backpacker hotel or exceptionally in a bar of expatriates who work here.
While I had to return September 11 permanently in France, the rebound of my personal life prompt me to cancel this return or rather to shift it to April 29, 2009 as originally planned. Finally not enchanted by this change of plan I sink a little more in the vortex of Dili. It is good in this hotel after all and the Indian restaurant next door has even delivered me directly to the hotel in the living room.
The calecon days of scratching my balls in front of the TV and drinking beer are rather depressing and go slowly.
10 days of vortex in Dili are enough for me, finally I decided to kick my ass and go away from here. I have a new Indonesian visa in my pocket. Once again I leave for Kupang where I am waiting for a plane to Sulawesi.
It’s a shame Timor-Leste looked like a beautiful country but I have to leave to escape the vortex. I’ll have to come back one day.
