It is always interesting to know a new place, no matter how ‘un-tourist’ it is. Especially if you are not so crazy with the fun of a big city. Atambua is one of the place. It is a small town near the border between Indonesia and Timor Lorosae, formerly East Timor. The daily life in this town run slowly and relatively the same everyday. Not so much to offer for fun. Activities in traditional market started at 6 o’clock and ended at 16.00. Shops open at 08.30-12.00 and 14.00-19.00. After seven o’clock in the evening, the streets are yours. Quiet and dark.
Atambua was not an ideal place for tourists, eventhough its neighbours have some beautiful places to visit. But the influx of refugees who fled from TL as a result of political changes there in September 2000 had changed the dynamic of this town. Until then, the number of foreigners living there was less than five fingers, and mostly had been connected with local people for several years, some even more than twenty years. But then, at least until October-November 1999, we could easily find foreign workers sent by international organization giving assistance for refugees, not only in Atambua but also in another places in Nusa Tenggara Timur, the nearest province of formerly East Timor. So this was something new. English skill suddenly became a need, especially for local people recruited by the international organizations. They were forced to speak English although there were also an interpreter or some people who could speak English well. Speaking English was a must, because they could not depend on the interpreters all the time.
Atambua is a small town, but don’t worry about the foods. There were two big restaurants, completed with pretty variative menu and a comfortable place to chat. One of these places were so famous among the foreign workers. It was so famous that we reckoned them as another NGO meeting room, cause the faces we met there at the dinner were the same faces we met in a real NGO’s coordination meeting in the morning. So, we met them in one morning meeting at Bupati’s hall, another meeting in one of NGO’s office in the afternoon, and one more ‘meeting’ when we had a dinner.
The owner of the restarurant did not speak English too much, but the menu was written in English so it should have not been complicated. We just pointed out the menu, ate, went to the cashier machine or looked at the bill on a small paper, paid, and chiao.
Without cinema, musical performance and another entertaining facilities, parties were something joyful here. Wedding, birthday or any kind private parties always offer fun other than food and drink. Where there was a party, there would be dancing and singing too. You must see how local people dance and sing, and you will know that life in this slow town will be fun, too. They danced cha cha, waltz, or Pocho-pocho in a group with spontanous steps. In this part they can compete with the foreigners and the world out there.
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