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
Category: FSLife
Anything posted that has to do with life in the foreign service
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
spring and summer in the DMV
Ma has been in the DMV (DC/Maryland/(Northern)Virginia) area since April 8 for training. It has been a wonderful experience for foodies like us since there are restaurants from pretty much everywhere. It's like the foodie equivalent of the Field of Dreams: if you build it, they will come. It has also been fantastic being in… Continue reading spring and summer in the DMV
mama’s first flag day
A Foreign Service Officer will be directed on their first two tours. Which is to say that although some things are taken into consideration, entry level officers (ELOs) will essentially be told where they're being sent for their first two tours of two years each. At the beginning of their six week orientation, US direct… Continue reading mama’s first flag day