It’s been a busy week. Can’t you tell?
Sadly, I am not sure how much I have to show for it to you all. So I’ll just share with you a scene from downtown that we tried to capture with my camera phone:
Okay, so he was moving and so were we when the photo opportunity was seized- but his shirt says “I ♥ Boobs”
What else have I done this week that might come close to topping this? I am not sure that anything can, so I will instead just make a list of some of the things that I have found remarkable in my universe this week:
1. Started to help out in the embassy office, and in turn made people aware that I am in the U.S. Navy. Really, not everyone (ahem, the local men) knew this, and it’s funny to watch their faces when I announce “Je suis militaire”. I’m sad to say that I think I now get more street credibility as a result. Even the only (U.S. Navy) Master Chief here spied a photo of me in my coveralls, saw my SWO pin and said “Oh Ma’am, I didn’t know you were a real sailor!” (my apologies to those who don’t really know what all that meant. I’m too lazy to explain.)
2. As a result of item #1, I located and ironed my khaki uniform. I can’t wait to see people’s faces when I get to run around in that polyester prettiness. I’m actually pretty impressed that I could locate all of the necessary uniform components. Except a name tag. But I’m sure that I’ll continue to be known as “the lady officer” like I was in southeast Asia.
3. I went to a jazz music function at the Ambassador’s house. As usual, I dealt with bizarre interaction as I was approached by dudes that I never would have engaged myself:
Really, I just wanted to get a closer look at this locally-produced portrait of President Obama that was presented to the Ambassador. Nothing that I am saying in this photo should ever merit the level of interest that these two strangers are showing (and who took this photo anyways?)
4. I ate Camembert ice cream alongside my bleu cheese salad, at a swanky restaurant.
5. I attended an awards ceremony that recognized the contributions of local hires who make our embassy function smoothly. As over 200 awards were given, I was struck at the vast number of Senegalese who are obviously critical to our “mission success”. I know that the case is the same in every embassy, but my eyes were really opened to the loyalty that these people show to the organization. In most respects, they tirelessly ensure our comfort and safety while we are guests in their country.
I know that I did other stuff too- but I feel a little brain dead and hear a bottle of whisky calling my name. I am still suffering from flashbacks of Monday, when my intro to desk work had me on the phone with the Austrian Embassy- begging them to get me six visas for Senegalese naval officers traveling to Crete for a U.S. Navy exercise. In French.
Yes, you read that right.
Now if you will excuse me, I am going to go and celebrate the end of my first work week in a long, long time.
You may now commence making fun of my awakening from a life of leisure…