So this is last Timor Leste post in which we leave Balibo with very mixed feelings. First of all is the realisation in the last couple of weeks of how hard life is here for the locals. I was working with Pedro screwing sheets of ply up to a ceiling and we where asking each other's age ,Pedro is 30 and when I replied that I am 50 he said that a Timorese 50 year old would not be capable of this work.In other words by 50 the years of physical work and I think poor diet would have taken its toll. This along with the dentists description of abscessed rotting teeth just made us realise that it wasn't only us doing it tough there. The last week was a bit of a blur of farewell events and finishing work. Tuesday Ginny went down to boarding house to distribute school kits and shirts. This was the beginning of a million photos being taken this week . The girls were as always cheerful and appreciative of Ginny going down to see them . It is Ginny’s hope that as many of them as possible will get the opportunity to continue their education but unfortunately for some of them this is pretty unlikely.

Wednesday was presentation of certificates to English classes followed by afternoon tea. 19 students made up of hotel staff and local kids turned up. This was the beginning of the Tais avalanche. Tais being the traditional Timorese gift of a colourful woven scarf. In Balibo there are several women who weave them by hand. There seems to be no young people interested in learning how to weave in the traditional method so possibly a dying art? Ginny’s favourite two students Roja and Estefania besides being the keenest and smartest were also the saddest to see us leave. There were tears in every lesson the last week although relief that the lessons would continue through till the last Saturday. We are hoping that these two will be able to keep in contact as we would love to be able to help them continue their studies.

There being no postal service and the girls having limited access to email or internet could be an issue although hopefully Marino will be able to help them with the internet.
Thursday was a slow day due to Cruz Joven and more mass weddings. I finished up work with a few odd jobs around the hotel and CLC . The last week reflections on the 6 months work left a feeling of having achieved something worthwhile, if the motorcycle workshop can get up and running and funnel funds back to CLC it would be fantastic. We talked briefly to Damian Kingsbury who was here for election scrutineering and he commented that they had been trying to get the workshop built for the last 15 years so that left a good feeling. Trying to sort water issues at hotel is not so straightforward, too complicated to go into as it involves numerous discussions with a lot of different people all giving different ideas and viewpoints. Of course the extension at kindergarten was worthwhile as anyone seeing Mana Maria in action with those cute kids would feel compelled to help out. Ginny’s once a week lessons resulted in frequent interactions in English with the kids around Balibo as their parents looked on bemusedly “how are you ? Good thanks !!! “
Friday morning we began to clean up and pack up the house which was a lot less stressful then leaving Burralow Rd, I think we have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from that episode . Michele had organised a farewell lunch to which we had invited the local dignitaries, friends and workers. We were worried that we might get emotional however all speeches were in Tetun which we couldn't understand so not a problem although we could see as Marino spoke that he was having difficulty getting his words out. He had mentioned the day before that he hoped he wouldn't have to speak as it would be difficult. Manuel our landlord teared up as he spoke of us living under one roof so we are now one family; he spoke in English so it was very moving. There was more Tais presented including ones with our names woven in them.We ended up with 28 Tais all given from individual people, we are so touched by the generosity of people who don't have much themselves. We wil really treasure them as genuine mementos of our time in Timor-Leste.

Saturday was easy packing up and heading up for a night in the hotel.  Although saying final farewell to Manuel and family wasn't easy with Manuel again getting teary;  he and his family are very very nice people. Marino and Rofina came up for a drink and of all the locals these two were the hardest to say goodbye to.They turned up with Michelle their daughter on the motorcycle wearing matching T shirts. These guys have a great sense of humour which seems to make the language barrier disappear. After they left we got a message from Rofina with a photo of us with Tais around our necks and the message “when I look at this I get tear , it is so hard to let you go “ .

The night ended up with Michele cooking us dinner. Michele has 5 months to go on a 2 year stint which is an incredible effort on her part. We know what a challenge 6 months has been so 2 years is huge and we salute her.
Sunday morning saw a few more tearful farewells especially from Michele before heading off on the final drive to Dili. I know we have banged on a bit about the drive to Dili but what with pigs, goats ,chooks ,dogs ,people, motorcycles ,crazy buses, potholes and the road basically disappearing off the side of the mountain it is always an adventure.
We had an overnight in Darwin at a very nice hotel although seeing local Aborigines begging on the street was confronting as here we are all ready to come home to our civilized first world country and there are people begging ,which doesn't occur in Timor !!. Upon arrival in Sydney we get out into the arrival gate and are looking for Georgie when we hear someone call out “Ross McMillan “ it is my cousin Jane picking up her daughter Lili who is also flying in from Dili. Its a small world.
A great reunion with George when we eventually find her after giving Jane the brush off as we were pretty keen to see Georgie.
We are now in Launceston getting ready to leave for London via a meeting with Rotary and Balibo House Trust in Melbourne .It has been a whirlwind two weeks . One week in kurrajong catching up with friends and family was full on ,the highlight being food glorious food.
Second week in Launceston ,highlight being food glorious food and family of course.
We are assuming that all this change is good for our brains as it is all a bit of a spin being international citizens of the world , looking forward to the food/wine scene of the next few months.