In Timor!

Hello friends and followers! Long time no update, I know. In my defense I have moved to another country since my last blog post and I believe that should allow me some lenience in my online-ness. Let me tell you, the internet situation here in East Timor is absolutely bonkers! There aren't really any hard lines unless you're somewhere fancy like the US embassy, the President's palace or an internet cafe, so everything is done wireless. To get access to the 3G you need, you have to get this little USB stick and a special SIM card. You buy your internet before you use it at a place called Timor Telecom and they apply it to your SIM card which you then put into your internet stick. Once you hook it up to your computer it then connects you to the internet via satellite. Because of all this rerouting and satellite connecting, the internet speed here is equivalent to dial-up from ten years ago. For any of those who are really dependent on the internet for happiness, DON'T COME TO TIMOR!

One of the many interesting things about this place is that you basically prepay for everything. Internet, electricity, air-conditioning, gas, water, it's pretty crazy. The power grid is also pretty messed up in that sometimes the power will go out for absolutely no apparent reason for an undetermined amount of time. Sometimes for three minutes, sometimes for three days. I've only experienced one of these so far, it lasted for about eight or nine hours. Because there was no power, the AC was out as well, so Connor, Carrick, Sharanya, and myself woke up sweaty and annoyed. The whole day was sweaty and dark (opening windows can let in more heat and mosquitoes) so it was better to just sit, grumpy in the cave.

Mosquitoes are especially dangerous here because many of them carry the virus known as Dengue. It's a slow-burning sickness that causes your skin to become painful to the touch and discolored, it causes fever, joint pain, and headaches that could shatter your teeth. It, in general, is a horrible thing that, unless treated, will result in death. It actually killed around thirty locals and one Australian a few months ago when there was a bit of an epidemic. Carrick is super concerned about our health and always asking us how we're doing and feeling. I've gotten a couple of mosquito bites since I've been here, but so far no death virus for me.

So that's just a few things I've learned so far while here, but I know why you all come here to read my blog (… pity... support...), the knitting!

Knitting is basically all I've been doing so far here (which I'm totally happy with Carrick!). It's a great way to spend days while Connor and Carrick are at work (Sharanya is currently in Bali with her sister and her sister's new husband). I've just been lounging in the AC, watching all kinds of shows and movies whilst working on various projects. Thus far I've finished a shawlette that's basically Holden with a scalloped edge and I'm about half-way through a “Snowdrift Mobius Cowl”. You should look it up on Ravelry when you get a chance. I'd post a link but I'm currently not even online! I'm really writing this on a word document while offline, so that I can copy and paste it onto blogger later and not use up three dollars worth of internet!

That's just a really quick rundown of what's up in Timor currently, I'll have to post again soon with more stories and real live pictures. I even have a story lined up for you about a chicken and motor-scooter. Guesses? You'll hear from me soon!