criplomats

Some of our neighbors

I think John and I both feel like we’re drinking from a fire hose at work, but we’re enjoying it! My section (consular) started receiving TDY (temporary duty) help this past week – a lovely woman from Chad came to help us out and she has been a godsend. She works for my good friend Barb in N’djamena, and I’m grateful Barb was so generous in sending her my way! A couple of the staff members and I met her at her hotel last Sunday for a welcome lunch; John and I took her to dinner last night at a nice local restaurant. She’s just delightful.

There were protests around local government buildings last Monday that got a bit rowdy at the end of the day, but nothing too bad other than a slight delay getting home.

We went to Justin and Stephanie’s Friday night for dinner and board games – they’re so nice and we enjoy visiting with them.

Time is already flying by – we hit our one-month anniversary at post this week!

Maybe I shouldn’t be so harsh about 2019, but my six-month hiatus while my leg healed wasn’t what I envisioned this time last year! On the upside, everyone was exceedingly kind to me, and I am grateful we had the resources to get the care I needed – great surgeons, nurses, caregivers, and physical therapists. And Department of State was so supportive of John and me while we were delayed getting to Monrovia – so there were lots of silver linings…but OUCH.

We didn’t get too crazy on New Year’s Eve, and by that, I mean we were asleep by 10 PM! I spent most of NY Day at the office trying to get caught up (an uphill battle). This week, I started going to the office early in the morning so I can work out in the embassy gym before work – so I’m proud of myself for starting to get back in the workout groove.

Yesterday evening we went to the Ambassador’s residence for “sundowners.” We spent a lovely evening with her, her husband, and another couple having a cocktail and watching the sun go down – so nice to be able to visit outside the office. She sent us home with bonus lettuce from the garden – a treat!

This past week we spent several evenings upstairs hanging out with Lucy the Chihuahua while her mom was on vacation – what a sweetie!

Here’s hoping 2020 is accident free!

With upstairs neighbor Lucy

Enjoying sundowners and sundown

One of the many K-Ks around town

Beach view

I wouldn’t hold my breath on this.

We continue to get settled in – John got his 250-pound air shipment delivered this week, so we were able to enjoy great coffee from his espresso machine – a really nice treat!

We had a few social things to do this week – our sponsors Stephanie and Justin had us over Monday night for dinner and a couple of games of Catan – lots of fun. John represented Team Crippen at a Hanukkah gathering Thursday after work when I was under the weather for a day or so. Yesterday we went downstairs where a neighbor had set up a taco bar for the Marines, where we had the chance to get to know a few more people.

We’ve been good about getting to the gym this week, so my leg is doing much better (note to self: you cannot convince yourself that you are too busy for PT!).

Work continues to be pretty crazy. I worked last Sunday and on Christmas Eve – there’s just so much to do and not nearly enough time to do it in.

We had a quiet Christmas which was nice. We did video chats with family and friends – it’s amazing that we can so easily see and talk to folks! I remember when we were in Costa Rica in the 90s, email was just beginning and we heard the screech of the dial-up. (OK, boomer.)

Ocean view from our apartment

The week was crazy busy. I went to the gym at the embassy last Sunday then worked the afternoon. There’s so much to be done and it’s pretty overwhelming, but I have good officers in the section which makes things easier.

Our neighbor Sujoya had us downstairs to her apartment for drinks last Sunday evening, along with a co-worker Selim. We had a good time yakking and ended up having pizza delivered. She also came up Friday night to visit, and she’s loaning us her car for a couple of weeks – so nice of her.

We took the car to the grocery store yesterday. It’s nearby and was my first time behind the wheel here. It was fine, but there are lots of potholes, little things like tuk-tuks they call kay-kays, and no traffic signs or signals.

We attended the Ambassador’s annual holiday tea Tuesday morning where we met a lot of Liberian officials – John met the President, a former soccer star. The residence is right on the ocean with a beautiful view.

We went to the gym on the OEC for the first time yesterday morning. I’ve neglected my physical therapy and am dismayed at my walking (very limpy) so I am trying to get back to my good habits now that we’re a bit more settled.

We left DC last Sunday and arrived in Monrovia via Brussels Monday night. We’re five hours ahead of DC; it was almost 30 hours door to door. Little Flavia was an excellent traveler and seems to have settled in fine (she’s on my lap as I type).

Our apartment is pretty nice and has a beautiful view of the ocean. We are walking distance to work, although this week we took motor pool back and forth. It’s very hot and humid, and although I think it’s safe to walk, I want to get more comfortable before I do it as there are a lot of people out on the street, often just hanging out or selling food or vegetables.

Our social sponsors Stephanie and Justin took us to a nice sushi dinner at the Mamba Point Hotel down the street, and Thursday night the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM, our new boss) had us over for dinner.

Yesterday Stephanie and Justin took us on a windshield tour of the city, and we stopped at four grocery stores along the way so we could see what’s available. I’m pleasantly surprised at the selection and prices for the most part.

Last night we went to a progressive dinner on the nearby Old Embassy Compound (OEC) where many embassy people live, including the ambassador and DCM. The dinner was a good opportunity to meet new people, and we had a lot of fun.

Work has been chaotic but I have a good group of hard-working officers and family members (EFMs). We have a few challenges at the moment, but we’re hanging in there.

I haven’t taken any photos yet, but hope to soon. The city has the potential to be beautiful, given its wonderful location along the ocean, but the effects of the 13-year civil war are visible everywhere with abject poverty all around. Most of the entrepreneurs in town are Lebanese, which is interesting. Currently the country is undergoing challenges with liquidity, and some civil workers haven’t been paid. Despite the challenges, Liberians are very pro-American and the morale at the embassy is very good, so we are happy!