We set off early from homes in Hervey Bay, Riverview, Mount Druitt, Kirribilli, Kew, Geelong, Watsonia and Adelaide and found our way to airports. We departed looking forward to the unknown but knowing we were with good travelling companions united by our shared Jesuit family.
After a hectic, early morning seven of us gathered at Sydney Airport ready to embark on our first trip of the day to Brisbane. We were filled with mixed emotions, unsure whether we were excited or not, but realizing that was something we would soon find out about. The Virgin IT system was playing up which meant for big queues and anticipated delays. Riverview had donated 17 laptops so we divided these among our group. Once we’d checked in, our parents, siblings and friends said a final goodbye. Many of us were sad partly wondering if deep down inside we were not really going anywhere, as though we would be returning later in day.
On the plane, we settled in and prepared ourselves for the experience ahead of us. The journey began to feel real. We were on a plane to Brisbane and we were already behind schedule. Due to our early delays, we would miss our next flight to Darwin, leaving the Sydney group all out of order and wondering if we would miss the connection from Darwin to Dili today. Through the direction and guidance of Fr Hosking, we were able to get our things and forge our way to the Jetstar counter for the next flight to Darwin. But that wasn’t always the easiest thing. Despite all the rushing and anxiety, everyone still managed a smile with a lot of laughter on the way. We realised that our plans were only a small part of what the experience may be.
This next leg was a longer than most had anticipated, and few of us bought food on the plane which left us hungry by the time we arrived in Darwin. Fortunately we were greeted by Shane who was on a mission to make sure that we were on the next flight to Dili. We had arrived less than 25 mins before the Air North flight was due to depart and had to make an international flight. The rest of the group were already through customs and boarding. A slightly frantic Shane guided us to the Air North counter who issued us boarding passes. Fr Hosking collected our baggage tickets and the Air North staff assured they would collect our bags and load them on tomorrow’s flight. Rushing into a place which was 31 degrees, showed us that we really were a long way from Sydney and brought us all to the realisation that this was real. However making this flight was important for us, even more of an issue than collecting our packs which were left in Darwin.
Our flight was now calling for its final boarding, and we only had a couple minutes to pass through customs and say ‘hi’ to all the crew who were eagerly awaiting our arrival. As we departed from Darwin on TL 518, we left our own backyard, and head off into Timor Leste. We had no rides left, we were finally, on the last flight for the day, and we were nearly there! Everything was back on schedule and we were ready more than ever, mixed with excitement and exhaustion. It was great to link up with all the others. We had a little cheer when we were taking off, the plane trip wasn’t too long.
On approaching the Dili runway, we had a little bit of a false alarm with an aborted landing. We were assured this was a routine procedure but those who had flown often experienced this routine for the first time. When we touched down safely in Dili, the captain received a well-deserved clap. We purchased on arrival visas and walked through customs. The weather was humid, although the view was priceless. We all got into cars to head to Hotel California, our first stop in the city of Dili. The 15 minute drive went along the beachfront and we saw blue shaded water. It surely was something great to see. We also saw a community based country working together. The driver told us a little about the culture. We settled in to the rooms at Hotel California and some of us watched a beautiful sunset. Shane arranged a wonderful meal for us at the hotel. We then had some time together reflecting on the day. Fr Hosking led us through an Examen. Timor Leste is so beautiful and amazing, and we have all been blessed with such a great opportunity. We all are looking forward to what the next two weeks will bring us.
Oscar Cavalletto and Logotaeao Aunese
After a hectic, early morning seven of us gathered at Sydney Airport ready to embark on our first trip of the day to Brisbane. We were filled with mixed emotions, unsure whether we were excited or not, but realizing that was something we would soon find out about. The Virgin IT system was playing up which meant for big queues and anticipated delays. Riverview had donated 17 laptops so we divided these among our group. Once we’d checked in, our parents, siblings and friends said a final goodbye. Many of us were sad partly wondering if deep down inside we were not really going anywhere, as though we would be returning later in day.
On the plane, we settled in and prepared ourselves for the experience ahead of us. The journey began to feel real. We were on a plane to Brisbane and we were already behind schedule. Due to our early delays, we would miss our next flight to Darwin, leaving the Sydney group all out of order and wondering if we would miss the connection from Darwin to Dili today. Through the direction and guidance of Fr Hosking, we were able to get our things and forge our way to the Jetstar counter for the next flight to Darwin. But that wasn’t always the easiest thing. Despite all the rushing and anxiety, everyone still managed a smile with a lot of laughter on the way. We realised that our plans were only a small part of what the experience may be.
This next leg was a longer than most had anticipated, and few of us bought food on the plane which left us hungry by the time we arrived in Darwin. Fortunately we were greeted by Shane who was on a mission to make sure that we were on the next flight to Dili. We had arrived less than 25 mins before the Air North flight was due to depart and had to make an international flight. The rest of the group were already through customs and boarding. A slightly frantic Shane guided us to the Air North counter who issued us boarding passes. Fr Hosking collected our baggage tickets and the Air North staff assured they would collect our bags and load them on tomorrow’s flight. Rushing into a place which was 31 degrees, showed us that we really were a long way from Sydney and brought us all to the realisation that this was real. However making this flight was important for us, even more of an issue than collecting our packs which were left in Darwin.
Our flight was now calling for its final boarding, and we only had a couple minutes to pass through customs and say ‘hi’ to all the crew who were eagerly awaiting our arrival. As we departed from Darwin on TL 518, we left our own backyard, and head off into Timor Leste. We had no rides left, we were finally, on the last flight for the day, and we were nearly there! Everything was back on schedule and we were ready more than ever, mixed with excitement and exhaustion. It was great to link up with all the others. We had a little cheer when we were taking off, the plane trip wasn’t too long.
On approaching the Dili runway, we had a little bit of a false alarm with an aborted landing. We were assured this was a routine procedure but those who had flown often experienced this routine for the first time. When we touched down safely in Dili, the captain received a well-deserved clap. We purchased on arrival visas and walked through customs. The weather was humid, although the view was priceless. We all got into cars to head to Hotel California, our first stop in the city of Dili. The 15 minute drive went along the beachfront and we saw blue shaded water. It surely was something great to see. We also saw a community based country working together. The driver told us a little about the culture. We settled in to the rooms at Hotel California and some of us watched a beautiful sunset. Shane arranged a wonderful meal for us at the hotel. We then had some time together reflecting on the day. Fr Hosking led us through an Examen. Timor Leste is so beautiful and amazing, and we have all been blessed with such a great opportunity. We all are looking forward to what the next two weeks will bring us.
Oscar Cavalletto and Logotaeao Aunese