The Stop of Rest

If the distance/duration of travel is long enough one may take a rest stop on the way to post. In hope of lessening the jetlag effect I requested to extend my layover in Paris. I intended to take it easy, but ended up walking so much I gave myself blisters. Worth it.

During the taxi ride from the airport to my hotel we drove past the very hotel I stayed in my first night in Paris during study abroad. I'd missed the shuttle at the airport. Well, missed because I couldn't even find it, and had a horrific time figuring out where I was going. I remember stepping off the shuttle just as my professor and his wife were walking down the street. It was perfect timing. One of those moments you feel like you've never been so glad to see a familiar face in your life. 

A lovely place...

Naturally, I started reflecting on what that arrival had been like. An interesting comparison to my current situation. At that point I had as much of an idea of what my arrival in Bamako would be, as I did of Paris when I arrived at that hotel almost ten years ago. ...I can't believe it's been almost ten years.

I do love Paris. It was wonderful to take one of my favorite routes and think about how different my life has been each time I've visited Paris. The city changes too, though it's always beautiful. 

The brief stop was a good break to help with the mental adjustment. Being away someplace I felt comfortable made my final destination seem less terrifying. Though the hope that it would aid with jetlag was too optimistic. 

Bring on the vaccines

"In 2012, US Embassy Bamako had more malaria cases than any Embassy in the world". This is great news. It means someplace else earned that title in 2013!

My arms are permanently sore from all my shots. 

C & B Wed

My summer began and will end with a wedding. An excellent way to get the most out of your last summer in the U.S. is to have multiple friends throw parties and get themselves hitched. A perfect excuse to see friends and family when there are more important things to talk about than your looming departure. Especially when C is the one being wed. Her wedding a few weekends ago was perfection. Yes, it was beautiful. Yes, she was beautiful. But I most loved the looks on their faces as they knelt across from each other and then later as they exchanged vows. I have high expectations of the great things they will do, and I'm certain B will take good care of C while I'm off trekking around Africa.

 Mr. & Mrs. B

T & I happy to be bridesmaiding in CA.

I could eat this cake every day. No joke.

 First dance.

Coordinating fake tattoos.

Sadly, not everyone was thrilled about C & B. My poor 5-year-old nephew J had the following reaction when his mother (also J) informed him he had missed his chance. Though he did make C a lovely Angry Birds wedding picture/card that I stuck on her fridge.

The Black Passport

Things are getting quite official. There is nothing like having multiple passports to put things in perspective. This is real, I'm moving to Africa, and it's a thrill.

What is working for the Department of State like? Honestly, I have no idea. Let's talk about the fact that I've been sitting in a classroom for the last few months. Granted, I like classrooms more than the average person, but there are many days I wish I had some work to do. Productivity would be much more measurable.

Thankfully, there have been a spattering of days when I've had a break.

 A snowy day lunch at the top of the Harry S. Truman building.

 It's almost completely thanks to Colin Powell that I did not quit during the first few horrific weeks of training.

 And yes, stalking my boss in hallways also helped put things in perspective.

 

Once winter ended life improved drastically. I thoroughly enjoy DC. Though the tug of the black passport is always there, reminding me the days here are winding down and it will soon transport me to foreign soil.