another day....

the signs of trouble began late afternoon Monday after Ramos-Horta made his live speech on radio announcing that X would be PM. Disturbances began in spots around Dili, including Colmera, audian, santa cruz... it became so random that we received sms and radio instructions that there were trouble spots all over Dili and simply to avoid movement. But i still managed to get home safely to Becora without seeing any trouble. A friend went home to Colmera to find the building behind his compound on fire, and everyone had to chip in to put out the fire that was threatening to engulf their place too. The bombeiros came after some time, probably strapped down with fires happening elsewhere. The choppers began flying overhead.... but once i was in Becora, i really didn't hear anything else.. the radio calls fell silent for a while too...

this morning i went to work via the usual route and did not notice anything amiss along Bidau, and Mercado Lama. Oblivious to the fact that just a parallel street away in Akadirihun, there were stoning and burnings. Over in Comoro, an office car that had attempted to bring a colleague to the airport returned; defeated from its battle against the rocks, it bore the wounds of a shattered windshield, broken windows, dented sides, and even a big rock left behind as a souvenir. The driver was badly shaken, having had to brave through the crazy airport circle with his head down most of the way. Another colleague who had hopped into the car hoping for shelter, had a scrapped arm and glass bits in her curly hair.

A friend said he was warned to return home to change from his UN shirt and cap, and the word on the street is that UN vehicles are being targetted. This ain't a good sign, huh?

If Fretilin truly has the future of this nation in mind, its leaders should have called strongly for restraint in its press conference yesterday. now, IDPs in some camps have really turned violent, and there are even threats to burn the airport. Sigh.... a busy day it will be for all the international forces and UNPOL here. And this is just in Dili, apparently there's also trouble in Baucau, and Metinaro. What can one say? Just pray for the best.