Today was our drive to Gleno to meet out host families and move in to where we will spend the next 10 weeks of PST (Pre Service Training). Everyone was really nervous on the bus out of Dili, primarily about meeting the host family (the other volunteers thought I looked calm, but on the inside I was also nervous). It was to be a surprise who our host families would be. We had a really warm welcome at the local community center and were treated to some dancing by local children. It was really heartwarming ♥.
So.. I got to meet me Host “Father”!!! It was Domingo. He is only a few years older than me. A super nice guy. I think he was happy to host me. He has hosted 2 other PC volunteers in the past (which I “think” is a good thing for me). Pic of me and Domingo below.
The Volunteers and host families danced together and we had lunch. It WAS a lot of fun. It was strange to see dogs roaming around the hall, but that is a normal part of Tetun life.
I hit it off with Domingo immediately! I think he clicks with my sense of humor👊. So, a quick walk with Domingo back to his home. It was a nice walk and photos below show some of the surrounding area I explored today.
I have my own room with a door and a lock (it’s the only indoor door in the house). Only a bed (no other furniture, I will fix up some tables and hangers in due course) and concrete floor and walls. The whole house has a tin roof. The bathroom (Haris Fetin) is very simple with a squat toilet and a simple place to dunk a cup to pour cold water over one’s self to take a type of shower. Photos below. Hope my knees can take squatting to go to the loo 🤔. Cooking is on an open fire in an outside building. All in all its actually a very welcoming place 🤗 and I feel pretty lucky to have landed here..
The girl in a couple of the pictures is the granddaughter of Domingo (Sebrina I believe is her name) and seems to have taken a shine to me. I’m still figuring out the family structure and names, but it seems Domingo has a wife (I thought was his daughter 😑) 1 son and 2 daughters and a bunch of grandchildren. I hope to figure that out tomorrow in more detail ;). I played Sebrina some Looney Tunes YouTube on my iPhone and she was super happy (kids are the same everywhere).
Tonight I helped the two daughters pound/crush the coffee for the morning. It was done using an iron rod and a wooden stump with the center hollowed out. I can tell you it was actually hard work and my biceps felt it 💪. Once the beans are crushed they are roasted in a wok type pan. I will get to taste the fruits of our labor tomorrow for coffee (really looking forward to that).
After a lot of football and playing with the kids, it was time for dinner. I was super lucky (di’ak sorte). All cooked and all tasty. I was happy for my first meal here.
Tomorrow (aban) the plan is a 5am wake up and morning shower (Haris) and coffee. Church at 8am. Then I will plan to run after that. We will see how it goes. Happy to hit my bed tonight for sleep (Toba). Hope everyone is well and happy out there 🙏. Stay safe friends 🤗.
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