How dangerous is Dili?
After the assassination attempts of February 2008, Dili emerged from long curfews to experience a relative calm. Yet ever since 2006, Dili has not been the comfortable or relaxed place it once was, and many in Dili have suffered from extreme stress and intimidation. Certain parts of the city remained dicey areas, including sometimes even the hospital and many Easterners are quite scared to ride public transit and go to school in Dili. That said, the violence prior to February 2007 was seemingly contained to feuding martial arts groups. There were a few spontaneous attacks against students, missionaries and other hapless people in the wrong place at the wrong time. But they were exceptional. The media had a way of making the situation sound apocalyptic, and embassies travel warnings are very alarmist.
