Timor Leste celebrations

 Today I finally handed in my macropaleontology (fossil) assignment so I'm now free...until tomorrow when I start again, looking at microfossils this time, using a microscope.
Since last week I've been rather cultured, with a trip to a French play and the restoration of Timor Leste independence celebrations.

 The French play was on Wednesday evening; the French society, including Claire, were putting on 'The Marriage of Figaro' for free. Luckily they had subtitles as I don't think my year eight French would have coped. It was a lovely evening with good music and it was nice to meet up with all my French friends.
On Friday we moved on to an Italian theme as our flat hand made pizzas. It was great fun and gave my arms a good work out as the kneading took quite some time. I think the pumpkin and blue cheese was my favourite.

 On Saturday it Maria, my international buddy, and her fellow Timor Leste friends had organised a large party to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the restoration of Timor Leste independence. There were around 150 people there, including the East Timor ambassador who made a speech and sprayed champagne everywhere before cutting the gigantic cake. As well as the cake we enjoyed Timor Leste dishes cooked by Maria and her friends, including huge, whole BBQed fish, spicy salsas, a sweet pumpkin and kumara soup and many other delicious dishes.

We were introduced to the Timor Leste culture as we both watched and took part in some traditional dances and heard and sung some Timorese songs. There was a lovely, joyful atmosphere and everyone was so welcoming; I had a great time learning about a country which is relatively unknown.