After my colleague left Timor for other engagements in the U.S., I was on the road again this time to Baucau.  My host was Father Locatelli, another Salesian Priest.

Timor really is a beautiful [would-be]country and am tremendously fortunate to have seen this side of it.  Such scenes, of course, only deepened my appreciation of the mess strategized by Suharto's military.  This region was the lushest region I visited in my effort in Timor.  As Fr. Locatelli pointed out - it is so green it is hard to believe there was ever a drought.

A natural spring provides water year round in steady and predictable amounts for a small community near Venilale, a picturesque region about halfway across the Island and about 50 km from the Northern coast.

This is no small pool!  Note the boy sitting on the edge of the containment wall to the left.  The water is crystal clear and clean as any mountain spring. The local inhabitants bath in the area, swim in the pool, collect drinking water from other outlets and generall socialize in this quiet and cool pocket of Timor.  It is unbelievably serene.

Sitting here almost makes you think nothing is wrong with the world.

But the sights I was brought to see by Fr. Locatelli quickly dispells that idea.