July 28, 2005

Ok, so I have NO idea what just happened, I Haven’t processed it yet. I just got back from (what I can observe and understand) what seemed to be the East Timorese Godfathers dinner. Let me explain…Anto asked me if I wanted to go with her to help her our neighbor do something. I say “sure.” We go over there and there is a man sitting down and she greets him and kisses his ring. I meet him and he speaks limited English. For a while it is just me, him, his brother-in-law and some lady. Then slowly all these men started showing up. He introduces them all to me as family. So then I have tea and a donut (so good). I was there for about 30 minutes when my host mom called me home because I did not shut my door-she is very paranoid. As I am coming back-Randy is heading to the neighbors house with his dad. I go back with them. We are there for another 30 minutes when Joe and TC show up. Soon after Anto comes and gets me and Randy to eat dinner. (Randy’s mom is in the hospital so he is always eating with me). We eat and the go back to the neighbors, yet again. When we get back there everyone is quiet and listening to the “Godfather” talk. He was definitely talking politics but I wasn’t sure exactly what he was saying. He talked for a good 45 minutes-then asked if anyone wanted to voice their opinions. A couple people did. He told Randy (in Portuguese) that he wants to educate these people (his brothers) because they don’t agree with him ad they are family and because he doesn’t want hat happened before in East Timor to happen again. He is in the opposing party (FTD) than what is in office now (FRETLIN). He used to be the chief of the suco we live in He was imprisoned 4 times (once for 3 years). He was a principal and the secretary of his political party. He may have his PhD but I am not sure. I think I may live with a mob family! I feel safe here and very protected. I just don’t want anyone to associate me with anything bad (like what if they are mobsters and cause we were at the meeting people think I am too)
It is so interesting. They honestly treat me like a man here, I was the ONLY woman sitting in the circle of about 20 men. I would have been laughed at had I tried to help clean or cook. Wow, that was strange, I just wish I understood more.

The rest of my day was good. Class was class. We played volleyball afterwards and it was a ton of fun. We are going to Dili tomorrow, I promise not to eat as much junk food this time!