Joanne Collins, Dili – Paint is being slapped on fences, scaffolding is coming down from buildings, weeds are being ripped up and soccer fields are getting new goal posts.
Impoverished, battle-ravaged East Timor is coming of age and scrambling to get ready to declare independence at midnight on Sunday in front of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, 1,000 VIPs and an estimated 100,000 Timorese.
For many in the tiny territory the future holds great uncertainty, but they enter nationhood with the international community's blessing as they try to put centuries of Portuguese colonisation and 24 years of brutal Indonesian control behind.
Asia's poorest nation has much to do before its moment in the world spotlight after more than two years of UN rule.
"I am in a bit of a panicky mode because we are realising each hour, each minute that passes, all that still needs to be done for the independence celebrations," the outgoing UN chief in East Timor, Sergio Vieira de Mello, told Reuters.
"Where are we going to accommodate all these people? We have said 'Can you please cut down' because it is simply unrealistic. Some of them will have to sleep under the trees," he said.
Fully booked
Indeed, anyone who hasn't already booked can forget finding a room in this languid seaside capital, still being rebuilt from the ashes of the rampages by pro-Jakarta militias after 1999's pro-independence vote. All the space was reserved months ago.
"Some government delegations even asked for presidential suites," said one organiser. She said only 50 rooms – some without windows or hot water – were available in Dili when preparations began for accommodating international visitors.
Dili's airport has also presented challenges. It has no radar facilities and is operational for routine commercial flights during daylight hours only. Overnight parking is limited to two Boeing 737s and a small number of light aircraft.
Those visitors who come despite the problems will see Annan hand over power and charismatic ex-guerrilla leader Xanana Gusmao sworn in as president at a dusty field bordered by craggy mountains on the outskirts of Dili, the capital. The site was chosen mainly for its size.
The UN flag will come down, East Timor's yellow, black and red banner will go up and the boom of more than 25,000 firecrackers will usher in the world's newest country, surrounded by Indonesia's eastern islands and Australia to the south.
On Monday, the government, comprised of ministers who have already been working with the United Nations, will be sworn in and a parliament elected last year will hold its inaugural session.
Striking contrast
The peaceful ceremonies will mark a striking contrast to East Timor's fateful decision in a 1999 referendum to break from Indonesian control, sparking a killing spree by pro-Jakarta militias. With backing from Indonesian army elements they left much of the territory in ruins.
The United Nations estimates more than 1,000 people were killed before and after the vote. The UN has administered East Timor and its 740,000 people ever since.
Besides Annan, the guest list includes former US President Bill Clinton, Australian Prime Minister John Howard, World Bank chief James Wolfensohn, several heads of state from smaller countries and assorted ministers.
Despite vocal opposition from some leading politicians, Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri will drop by for several hours, even though she staunchly opposed letting East Timor vote to break away in the UN-sponsored ballot.
While brief, Megawati's presence will symbolise to many Timorese that some leaders from its giant Muslim neighbour have accepted the mainly Catholic minnow's decision to break free.
And showing his wish for reconciliation, former anti-Jakarta guerrilla Gusmao will accompany her when she pays homage at a cemetery of Indonesian soldiers who died in the occupation.
Jakarta invaded East Timor, half the size of Belgium, in 1975 after colonial ruler Portugal withdrew. More than 200,000 people were estimated killed by fighting, famine and disease that followed the invasion and during Jakarta's occupation.
Organisers expect around 100,000 Timorese to attend the Dili celebrations but said they have made preparations for double that. "The event will be broadcast live on radio across the territory and there will be a Mass and flag raising ceremony in every district so we are not expecting buses and buses of people to make the trip in," said key organiser Caroline O'Brien.
More than $1 million is being spent on the celebrations, which have pulled even UN peacekeepers from their daily duties to cut grass and paint fences.
Extra telecommunications infrastructure is being installed to help free up constantly congested phone lines and satellite dishes are being repaired and installed to help beam the event live to those in outer regions able to find a television set.