Ramble...

So, I'm back in Timor-Leste (East Timor). Glad you've decided to follow my quaint little blog.

This is Tuesday afternoon, 13 August, 2014. I'm at Esplanada doing a bit of writing and planning. I always intended to start up another blog but hadn't thought too much about when I was actually going to start it. Well, here I am, I've got a few spare minutes before meeting one of my amigos and I thought, why not?

I don't think there will be many photos put on this blog; uploading them can take some time. I'll do my best, however.

This is my first week here and I am slowly adjusting to life here. I'm pretty settled in my accommodation, a very nice place with some great local friends. I've got my internet dongle thing setup, have two local numbers, joined the gym, worked out how to vote in the upcoming federal election... and what else? Hmmm.... starting to catch up with friends and contacts here in preparation for my upcoming fieldwork. I won't go into too much detail now but I plan to make some trips into a few different districts to gather data for my PhD. Everything is still kind of fuzzy and I'm giving myself a bit of time to adjust to life here. At this stage, I've decided to not by a motorcycle. Going to stick with taxis, walking, lifts etc to get around Dili.

I've struggled a bit with sleep but I hope I've turned a corner on it. Valerian root has done nothing for me, while I must confess Smirnoff Vodka does seem to be working. Hope this does not become a regular thing. I'm not drinking much, just a nip before bed. The heat isn't too bad; just the middle of the day which is brutal (12-3) is the worst. Cools down nicely around 4pm. Me thinks this will be the time I go to the gym. Today's midday workout was brutal. So warm in there. Completely wrecked afterward. Anyway, I'm going to sign off for now. Speak soon, hope you're all well.

Love and regards, Maun Evan