I spoke with the priest today, a man with a friendly round face, distinctive eyes and lightish skin, young… Speaking slow intentional Tetum. I realized maybe halfway through the conversation that he was not East Timorese. Then he let on that he was Indonesian. From Flores. We spoke to the shared history of Timor and Flores. He of course knew nothing of 1959, and only knew a little of Father Yosep Tan's schedule. He claims Tan will be back next week, which seems to contradict what Nug said, that he was going to Indonesia, Atambua. There was something pleasant about seeing that there is continuity among the islands, that Timorese and Flores people can still connect and feel a kinship.
posted by JG at 12/02/2002 12:10:00 PM