One of my USAID colleagues took us out to the Musée National Boubou Hama where we saw some pretty cool stuff (and some not so cool stuff). The examples of local tribal building styles and handicrafts was one thing, the supremely depressed state of the animals in the zoo portion of the exhibit was another.… Continue reading out and about in niamey
it’s been a year
Just over a year ago, we arrived in Niamey in the early afternoon and stared raptly out the window of the armored vehicle that picked us up from the airport. We drove 30 minutes through pretty moderate traffic to our new house, surrounded by a tall wall topped by razor wire. The social sponsor gave… Continue reading it’s been a year
where to next?
So the State Department's Foreign Service is a strange animal. The first two tours for specialists like Ma are directed, which is to say they can voice a little preference, but basically they have to go where they're told. Generally, though, it's two two-year tours. Last year, while at orientation, everyone in her cohort, in… Continue reading where to next?
i’m a slacker
I had no idea how much of a slacker I'd become here. But the housekeeper does it all, so all *I* do is sleep. Next to the pool. In the office. In the lanai...Which leads me to the question: if I'm not in Florida or Hawai'i, what *do* I call the very large screened-in porch… Continue reading i’m a slacker
on est arrivé
We've been in Niamey for a little while now, and I'm well aware that I've been slacking off with regards to this blog. There's a lot to adjust to right now and in that respect Ma is doing a lot better than I am. Pretty soon after arriving, Ma hired a highly recommended housekeeper who… Continue reading on est arrivé
leaving on a jet plane…
...a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, specifically. I've never flown business class before. It was kinda cool seeing how the folks on the other side of the curtain live. I have to add the following disclaimer, though: the State Department pays for coach class travel except in certain situations. Although Ma is in pretty good shape, due… Continue reading leaving on a jet plane…
Separation Anxiety
Dear Nimblesticks, By the time you read this, it'll be almost a week since you all left for Niamey. It was good to know that after a fairly uneventful journey, you both made it to Niger -- I'm sure you'll provide a full account of your travels in due time. I suspect Ma is super… Continue reading Separation Anxiety
ENFIN.
ENFIN: French, adv. At last; finally. Ex: «Enfin, nous allons au Niger!» "Finally, we are going to Niger!" In just over a week, we're taking off for Niger! Enfin, amiright?! Long story short, when this whole State Department adventure started, Delta (code sharing with AirFrance) had the US Government contract for flights from DC to… Continue reading ENFIN.
best laid plans
As previously posted here in my blog, Ma and I were anticipating going to Niamey, Niger in mid-August. However, on July 26 that country's presidential guard staged a coup, deposing the president, Mohamed Bazoum, and closing its airspace and land borders. A week later, after meeting a number of requirements, the State Department ordered all… Continue reading best laid plans
testing the subscription bar
Will it work? Who knows! Home gnomes are the best, I know, but we aren't always up on the latest tech (or even WordPress templates, if I'm being completely honest) and my Auntie V says that this blog needs a subscription form so all of you people out there who might be interested in what… Continue reading testing the subscription bar