Colonial world cup fanatics

No anti-colonial spirit was to be found in Indonesia and Timor during the world cup. Across all generations the support for their previous colonial masters was out loud and noisy. So many travellers commented on how unexpected it is, to see the colonial nation celebrated. There seemed to be no reflection on why they would support those, who they fought for centuries, to get away from.

Photo: Bunaken island’s village. There is the Netherlands’ flag with blue, the German flag and ?

When in Dili, two lovely Singaporean women almost missed their boat taxi to Atauro because their taxi didn’t show up. We all assumed that the taxi had been at the Portugal game that had been on that morning. In Dili, live games began at 4am and crowds attended cafes and crowded into homes. Breakfast events were promoted by some restaurants. The Portuguese flag was out everywhere. Including young gangs riding motorbikes through the city waving their flags and generally being a boisterous convivial nuisance. In Sulawesi, local staff were totally obsessed with the Netherlands. Also Brazil and German flags were flying but in Sulawesi the majority support was for their previous Dutch colonial master.

It would be like Australians barracking for the Poms in cricket or league or union. Never gonna happen, hey. Except it’s not like that, as Australians have the option of their own country. We can only wait for the Indonesian nationalism that will come with Indonesia’s first World Cup team. Surely the colonial powers will be ditched if a local team option existed.  Would Timorese barrack for an Indonesian team? Not inconceivable, despite the 24 year war fought for their independence but it seemed like Portugal fanatics would remain the majority for years to come.

Beach path in high winds

A bent, narrow shouldered woman beneath her ankle length white bathroom robe, at Cottesloe Beach looked at home. Her green slippers, worn and dotted with white sand, shuffled over the red brick path. The high winds blew her damp thin grey hair over her eyes. She kept shuffling, not needing to see where she was going.  Retirement started at least 25 years ago and her morning swim continues. Her bobbled green swim cap, 1960s style, looks new. She accidentally drops the cap as she tries to move the hair, against the strength of the wind. A pink child, glowing from running in the winds and sand, rushes to pick up the rubber and hands it to the older matron. ‘What’s it for, it feels funny,’ the bold child asks. The swim cap changes hands. The older one turns toward the road with no acknowledgement of the child’s question or her gift of not having to stoop over on the sloping path to have retrieved her cap.   

Leaving with negativity

In the week before her departure, when someone said to her, “sorry to hear you are leaving,” her swift response was “I’m not.” Her tone and promptness left no doubt as to how to interpret her opinion. After years’ fulltime (not FIFO) in town, a professional woman has left town and her job. Her relief in leaving town is almost tangible. 

What would I say?

If I saw my Cambodian friends from years ago, if I finally saw them after being away so long, what would I say? Sorry for the flooding that has swamped your country. Again. Sorry for the corruption that resulted in so many of the development problems that means the flooding is getting worse not better? Would I repeat sorry that another activist has been killed? And a further sorry that there is no easy solution and that all I can wish for is to stand beside them, in support.

Except I am here in remote red dirt Australia working, not there. Working in/for a community that has no idea how good it has it. Sorry is such an impotent notion but it’s what I would say.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/no-motion-shooting-probe