Day 2 - Getting Settled In (Sort of)

Today was basically a day of getting me settled in to my new role. I made it to the Embassy, roughly an hour late because my driver was so late picking me up and met up with my new supervisor. First thing we did was make the rounds to meet everyone and then I got warnings every time she told them I would be working on the Country Operational Plan (or COP) for the next two weeks. It is the office's annual budget submission where they have to detail all of their work and their goals for the coming year and basically beg Congress for money. It is due March 3rd so that is what I will be working on until then.

After coming back, the administrative support person had set me up with my new work email and computer log in and the tech guy came around to load my printers and some software I will be needing to do my job. I got to meet the director of the office I will be working in as well and everyone seems genuinely happy that I am here to help, which is nice. I am happy knowing that I am going to actually have work to do here!

I also got my new Embassy ID card that will let me into the compound and into the building (without an escort). I have never seen an embassy before on the inside so it was pretty cool! I would take pictures but then the security office has to review them and it is just a big hassle so I will avoid that. I assume tomorrow will be one of my first true days getting to do some work. I am going to head to sleep because I know that I am going to be passing out tomorrow if I don't get any sleep tonight.

Oh, one final thing, I actually saw the women with their daughters walking down the street balancing giant buckets on their heads! It's real! And here I thought that was just something they made up in the movies...

Night world!

Picture Time!

Well that's the pool...at least it looks clean! But I am not sure I should trust the water.

The view from my window at work! Apparently that is a golf course right outside the compound walls.

My new hotel room...the beds are practically on the floor. I guess that's to try and keep me cool in this heat and humidity!

Nice little desk and sitting area.

I will post a summary of the days events in a few. I would try and get more pics of the city streets but I am not brave enough to go outside alone yet lol

Today I made it to Abidjan

So after traveling for the past nearly 24 hours, I finally made it to Abidjan! I was able to make it through customs, picked up my luggage (which the TSA chopped the lock off one of them to "randomly" inspect) and then rode around for an hour with a driver who had to drop a couple other people off who are also coming here to work at the US Embassy. Let me just say, seeing soldiers in camo roaming the streets with AK-47s is a new experience for me. I thought this was going to be a cakewalk. Hell, I lived in Harlem for 14 months so I can handle it here, right? Yea I just made sure I made no eye contact with anybody, eyes forward always!

I just got into my temporary apartment about 30 minutes ago and I can't really complain. I mean, it has wireless internet! This is not something I expected in the third world. It is very warm inside though and carrying a 40 pound suitcase up a spiral staircase where the steps are basically a foot tall each was no small task. Now I am just hanging out, relaxing for a few before I attempt to sleep. My driver will be here in about 7 hours to take me to my first day of work here. Unfortunately for me, I am still on east coast time and so it feels like 7pm right now, not midnight. Tomorrow could be a long day.

I am going to start taking pictures tomorrow (no, not of the soldiers as I hear that is a sign of cultural disrespect and the last thing I need to do is create an uproar with a guy who has an assault rifle). But I have yet to see what the city looks like in daylight so maybe there will be some good opportunities to showcase some nice aspects of Cote d'Ivoire for you all. If so, I will make sure I do. If not, well then I will just show you what the city looks like anyway!

Good night everyone!