Mail Culpa

This post is really a big apology and long overdue. I want to thank everyone who sent mail and apologize that it took me this long to figure out.

Just as Dili has no trash collection (hence the robust, fecund street-pig population) there is no mail delivery. There is also lingering confusion over whether Timor Leste is an independent country (yes, since 2002) and all mail, unless directed otherwise, festers in Jakarta. It may work its way loose in a year.

There are three ways to avoid this, although any packages will ALWAYS be opened, inspected and maybe sampled. These options are listed in order of reliability:

1. Send letters to Kourtney Pompi at NDI in Washington, making clear that they are to be forwarded to Timor Leste. The address: National Democratic Institute, 2030 M Street NW, Fifth Floor, Washington D.C. 20036-3306.

2. Send letters using FedEx or DHL to Rua De Nu Laran No. 20, Bairro Dos Grilos, Dili, Timor Leste. FedEx takes roughly two weeks

3. Send letters to me c/o National Democratic Institute, P.O. Box 405, Dili, Timor Leste via Darwin NT Australia (must write "via Darwin NT Australia")

Again my apologies! Note: The stamps are from 1938 and 1911, respectively, well before Portugal withdrew (1974).