Mark Konta Estoria

From East Timor

Here is a collection of original material composed by one of our former volunteers, Maun Markus/Mark. He was based near Manatuto where Teresa and I were, and we shared many similar frustrating fascinating experiences and became a tight threesome within the tight group of ten we had become.

In his eight months with us, Mark brought a certain intangible relief, more serious than simply comic, more comical than mundane, more friendly than critical, and more insighful than banal. We all miss his company:

when waiting for the bus at Bakora Terminal
when sitting waiting for the bus in Manatuto
when sitting waiting for the bus in Lalaia
when 'squishing grapes' at Poi Chalore
when enduring non-sensical Peace Corps training
when enduring unintelligible government meetings in Manatuto District
when sitting through a five-hour wedding festival
when dashing off to Baucau or points further east, west, north or south
when sharing stories about intestinal fortitude
when making and eating guacamoli in Manatuto
when sorting out fact from fiction in government work
when sitting on the beach.

We'll miss Maun Markus at all these times and more, and especially when we are telling stories about all these experiences, for Mark is a master story teller. You can enjoy some of his stories by following the links below.