The
day between Good Friday and Easter unexpectedly opened. After nearly a month in
Timor, we had only seen the same bustling city streets of Kupang on our route
between the guesthouse and the office. We were very excited when AT (Ah Tay)
and his wife Yanti asked if we would like to go somewhere.
So, 8 a.m. AT, Yanti, baby Gamel, Jon and I climbed into the cab of the Guesthouse pickup truck. Ruben and Herman climbed into the bed, ready to enjoy the fresh air.
We
drove three hours through the countryside into the mountains in the eastern
part of West Timor. Here the air is much cooler and lacks the humidity of the
coast. We visited AT’s parents who live in Soe in the home where AT grew up.
AT’s Bapa was sitting on the porch. Inside,
AT’s Mama was fixing a chicken broth soup for our lunch. They speak no English,
so conversation was limited to greetings, smiles, nods and thankyous. AT
doesn’t get home very often. Gas is expensive, and three hours is a long trip; so
imagine how AT’s parents enjoyed seeing their grandson. The home was simple,
but the yard was full of wonderful things to explore-- pigs and chickens, tropical
fruit trees, and herbs and vegetables growing in the large garden out back.
After
lunch, we drove to nearby Oehala, the Number 1 tourist destination in West Timor.
Google “places to see in West Timor” and Oehala comes up. I love waterfalls. AT
was afraid I wouldn’t be able to climb down the hundred uneven, slanting stone
steps with no rail to the falls. Have you heard the expression, “Where there’s
a will, there’s a way?” (And I had lots of help).
These pictures tell the story.
So, 8 a.m. AT, Yanti, baby Gamel, Jon and I climbed into the cab of the Guesthouse pickup truck. Ruben and Herman climbed into the bed, ready to enjoy the fresh air.
We
drove three hours through the countryside into the mountains in the eastern
part of West Timor. Here the air is much cooler and lacks the humidity of the
coast. We visited AT’s parents who live in Soe in the home where AT grew up.
AT’s Bapa was sitting on the porch. Inside,
AT’s Mama was fixing a chicken broth soup for our lunch. They speak no English,
so conversation was limited to greetings, smiles, nods and thankyous. AT
doesn’t get home very often. Gas is expensive, and three hours is a long trip; so
imagine how AT’s parents enjoyed seeing their grandson. The home was simple,
but the yard was full of wonderful things to explore-- pigs and chickens, tropical
fruit trees, and herbs and vegetables growing in the large garden out back.
These pictures tell the story.
These girls from Java asked to have their picture taken with
me. (Blondes are rare here.)
 |
Yanti had never been to the falls.
Gamel was enthralled.
The
men chose not to get wet.
I couldn’t resist.
|
On the way home, we visited Ruben’s parents, whose home was
similar in layout to AT’s. Family photos and diplomas in the front room
displayed their educational background. As a thank you for helping Ruben, his
parents gave us each a beautiful Timorese wrap and showed us how to wear them.
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