Goodbye Milwaukee, Hello Dili
Greetings from Dili — the capital of Timor-Leste!
It’s been a week since my arrival in Timor-Leste and even longer since I left San Fransisco with my cohort of fellow Peace Corps trainees. The time has flown by, the days filled with orientation sessions, exploring, and spending time with one another.
The first leg of our journey was the longest — 13.5 hours to Taipei. From there, we flew to Bali, where we spent the night, resting in anticipation of our arrival in Dili the next morning.
We were met at the tarmac at President Nicolau Lobato International Airport by Peace Corps Timor-Leste staff, excited to meet the trainees they’d be working with for the next two years. After a 48-hour journey, we had finally made it to Timor-Leste.
We’ve spent our first week in-country in the capital, Dili. One of the most remarkable things I’ve noticed in Timor-Leste since my arrival is the smiles. When exploring the streets of Dili, my cohort and I have been met with the most beautiful, genuine smiles on the part of passerby after we greet them. A culture shock, but a heartwarming one.
Perhaps the most exciting aspects of my first week of service has been the chance to practice the Tetun language. Tetun is one of the official languages of Timor-Leste and serves as a lingua franca uniting disparate linguistic groups from around the country. Learning how to communicate effectively in Tetun is a major component of our training before we are placed in our permanent sites. As a linguist, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed learning and practicing Tetun with Timorese around Dili.
Learn Tetun!
malae → ‘foreigner’
Walking around in Timor-Leste, this is one of the most common words you’ll hear as a foreigner. Kids will look at you, smile, and say malae as they point you out to those around them.
This week, I’ll take the next big step in my Peace Corps journey — Leaving Dili for the mountainous East Timorese interior, and moving in with a host family to commence my Pre-Service Training (PST).
Obrigadu barak (thank you very much),
Andy
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter are my own and in no way represent the views of the Peace Corps nor the U.S. Government.
Enjoy the adventure. Take it from someone who has survived 4 PSTs, just go with the flow. Don't judge yourself too harshly and try not to compare yourself to others. And try to love all that's new that comes to you every day. Can't wait to hear more about your PC adventure. Keep on keepin' on.
Jim, PCV (for the 4th time ha ha ha)
Dear Andrew - I was delighted to read about you first week in Timor Leste. It sounds like you are enjoying yourself - what an opportunity. Good luck with Tetun - I imagine you will be fluent before too long. I am writing to ask if you would be happy for IRIS NRC to feature you in a newsletter and on our socials - perhaps linking to your blog as well. Please let me know - best wishes Csanad