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
Tag: directed tour
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?
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…
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
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