East Timor:  Gunfire and Memories of National Day · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

tumbleweed in timor lorosae hears gunfire in East Timor and it reminds her of National Day celebrations in her native Singapore. “Instead of feeling terrified, I thought of how this crackling reminds me of joyous occasions. Probably the only time a normal Singaporean (read non-soldier or police) hears or sees this sort of pyrotechnic action is during our National Day Parade when we're treated to a spectacular ear-deafening fireworks show, with colourful patterns exploding into the skies – swirls, bright pinpricks, and even smiley faces. This loud crackling is synonmous with joy and celebration, not fear and anguish as it usually is in other parts of the world.”