Yes, that's right, I'm back in DC or a few weeks of training. I can't say that I am too thrilled about it, no matter how necessary it is. I arrived Friday night after 34 hours of travel, way too little sleep, and some seriously cramped legs. My favorite part of the trip was definitely the 11 hours from Narita to Atlanta, and the woman in front of me who spilled her drink off the armrest of her chair and onto my laptop, and continued to put her arms behind her head and reach over the top of the seat back and cover my tv screen. Yeah, that was special.
Oh wait! Not!
For all that I love traveling, and Id better since I took a job that requires world-wide travel, I am not a fan of these long haul flights. The food is better than domestic flights, certainly, but there isn't enough of it and I really don't feel like drinking myself into a stupor, so it either means try and sleep, read, or watch a lot of movies.
But enough of the whining.
Yesterday (Saturday) I took the Protocol Overseas class at FSI and had a great time. Several of my A-100 classmates were also in attendance so it was a nice reunion, and we all got to learn the proper way to hold our cups, glasses, and utensils, how to make proper seating charts, give toasts, and generally not make fools of ourselves out in the world. I had a lot of fun, but it was hard to focus through the jet lag, and I am sure I missed a lot more than I might have otherwise.
Ok, time for a bit more whining.
It is COLD here. Not sub-zero cold, but just generally cold. Well, it is sub-zero cold if you use Celsius so yes it is cold. Especially after seven weeks in the tropics where it hasn't dropped below 75°F. I miss the tropics already. I don't miss the traffic or the pollution, but I do miss the weather. And I miss the low cost of all things in Jakarta. It cost e more to GET IN a taxi at Dulles than it does to get half-way across Jakarta. Madness. The cost of food is also a reminder of just how different the two societies are too. What cost me $3 in Jakarta, cost me $15 in Narita Airport, and costs me $10 in DC. Global economics on a personal scale.
Anyways, I will be here for a few weeks while my family settles into our new place in Jakarta. It is much closer to the girls' schools, has kids in the neighborhood, a pool and playground, and is close to shopping and a more vibrant social life for my wife. They will be fine, but I miss them and would rather be there right now. On a high note, I am in the land of Happy Hour and will be partaking of all things social while I am in DC.
Be well, neighbors!
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