We aren't in Peace Corps anymore Toto!

Tonight was my first big diplomatic event, the opening of a consulate for Japan in Kurdistan, making it the 13th country with official representation here. Thankfully I had chosen to wear a suit and heels today because I didn't get a chance to go back to the hotel before the event. All I kept thinking as I was sitting there watching the dignitaries do their thing was how different of a position I'm in now than I was while in Ghana. I remember the biggest "diplomatic" event I went to in Ghana was the goodbye of the PC country director and I had no nice clothes, I wore a ripped village dress, as the best I could do, and that was fine b/c nothing more was expected of me. Not the case anymore! I arrived with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and met many diplomats, including the top USAID and the top state dept official here... thank God I wasn't wearing a ripped village dress!! (though I really did love that dress!)

There's not much pomp and circumstance here for official events, they introduce the speakers, they say their piece, everyone claps, they have some refreshments and the whole event, including mingling, is over in an hour. In Ghana, it would have taken an hour to introduce the man who's going to introduce the man who will read the prayer before the introduction of the speaker... and lets not forget the entertainment that has to occur!

Since my other long term international work experience was Ghana, you'll find me comparing alot of things to that, my apologies if you don't find that interesting!

I can't wait to do more work with the DFR (Department of Foreign Relations), I'm kinda into this whole "diplomat" thing!

My American bosses come to town tomorrow, so I'm hoping some of my logistical problems will be solved (allowing me access to my main office, securing a car to drive or a driver, figuring out cell phones permanently, more defined working conditions, etc). Plus I just really like them, they're fun people to hang out with!

I can't even describe how welcoming the Kurds have been, how many of them love Americans, and are doing everything in their power to accomodate me and make my stay here comfortable. And on that note, I'm going to start my weekend (Friday is Saturdy here) with a nice sheesha and get some sleep... all the while remembering how drastically my life has changed since being a care free Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa!