Christmas in Qdidin
And other holiday magic
Christmas Day
A day of family from afar praying, celebrating life, and most importantly eating together. As soon as the camera came out, everyone wanted their photo taken. I was more than happy to oblige. These are maybe half of the photos from the day. It wasn’t an intention of mine when I bought my camera, but it has become a great joy to gift others nice photos of themselves.
Three of my best students happen to all live in my neighborhood. They're proof that friends sharpen each other. Pictured are my sister Titi and neighbors Aurelia and Eliza
Jhefa (right) joins the fun with her signature pose.
My neighbor who drives a truck between our village and the larger town down the mountain. A few days before Christmas, I went down to the capital to buy a few presents and he saved my ass by suddenly showing up and driving my buddy and I when our bus left without us. Also drives like a madman.
My sister Clara/ Bakita/ Aiu/ Subaki who currently lives in Dili going to University
My man Herman on the right propping up The Grandfather of the community.
Neighbor Deonesia with Gramps
While textbooks will teach that Tetum uses the Portuguese loanword "Tia" for aunts, the truth is everyone either calls them "Ama Kiik" (little mom)
Poor Mukta was balling her eyes out for no discernible reason.
Little sister Esther with my brother Elvis' girlfriend Aky
Rivaldo bringing the pearly whites everywhere he goes
The rally driver neighbor with his beautiful family
My sister Titi (far left) actually has a twin who lives next door, Nadia (far right)
My dude Domingos. The only person my age who lives in the village. My favorite memory of him was playing kickball with the kids and him insisting and sending every ball over a few houses every time no matter the score of ability of the children we were playing with. He's got a leg and he's going to let everyone know it.
Santi wanted a few model pictures. He's probably the person I talk to most here. Even though he lives in Dili, he often comes up to the village just so we can practice English together. He is a nurse who will soon work in Australia. One of the most dedicated and smartest people I've had the pleasure to meet.
Santi, Carmen, and Elvis. Three of my five older siblings who all live and work in Dili
Look at Ama Mena, she is trying so hard not to smile
Here it is starting to break
And here it is in all its glory next to her sister who lives across the border in Indonesia.
Elvis and his new girlfriend Aky
I kept telling Evlis that hand on the shoulder is for siblings and to go hand on the back like a man. Each time I'd move his hand, he'd move it back getting redder each time.
Joes and Evan
Nokai, my sweetest neighbor
The Day after Christmas
Surprisingly more fun than the big day itself. This is because there were three university graduations and two birthdays all wrapped up into a celebratory spectacular. Without about 70 people in attendance, that created 11,978,571,669,969,891,796,072,783,721,689,098,736,458,938,142,546,425,857,555,362,864,628,009,582,789,845,319,680,000,000,000,000,000 possibilites of group photo options, of which I reckon I shot half of. For your brevity and enjoyment, here are only the highlights.
Burning and scraping the hair off the pig. They do not remove the skin, preferring to eat flesh, fat, and skin (and a little fur) all at once.
Nothing like dicing flesh together
Remember the chicken in the background earlier? This is her now, serving
A lovely spread of puddings
This is my neighbor, looking hard as usual. He'll reappear later
Katupa. Turmeric coconut rice steamed in palm leaf. Pretty damn tasty, but a hastle to prepare.
Fina and Anton
Big family means big grad turnout
The youth of Qdidin
And the youthier youth of Qdidin
Elvis spitting facts
Ama mena, unusually pensive
More food, so so much food
My neighbor again, this time with the grads. Every single day he tells me to help him find a wife from Mexico. Appreciate him not letting his wife and kids get in the way of shooting his shot. Anyway, that's why my man is flexing so hard, looking for latinas.
Told him he's got to act chill if he wants that Mexican wife. Doesn't get much chiller than this.
Clear correlation of proximity to me and smiling
The last of the group photos, you can see the photo fatigue from the fellas faces
Subaki and her pineapple
Santiago’s Birthday
The celebrations will continue until moral improves. Last of the week’s bundle of parties was Santiago’s birthday, featuring some of my favorite pictures from my time here.
