Bittersweet

Webster's defines bittersweet as "a combination of the standard tastes of sweetness and bitterness, and is often used as a metaphor for experiences which have elements of both happiness and sadness."

That would be me right now...happy and sad.  I'm sitting in my hotel room in London, having departed Muscat, Oman last night.  When something and someone is so good and you have to leave it/them but you are headed to see your grandsons...well, that equates to bittersweet.  My 21 months in Muscat were the best.  I loved my job, my friends and the country.  Leaving such a wonderful place was hard to do. The friends I made were a bonus. What a bonus!  And leaving them was harder than leaving Oman.

The benefits of doing what I do are unending...I travel, I have an interesting job that makes me WANT to come to work every morning, I meet fantastic people and have the opportunity to live around the world and meet and learn to understand people of other cultures.  That last one is really important.  The more we learn about other people, their culture, their beliefs, their traditions...the more we understand them. You realize very soon that understanding is powerful.  It softens any negative attitudes you might have about a certain culture or country. It promotes tolerance.

What we need is more tolerance of other cultures.  And what I need are fewer goodbyes.  And the bittersweet of this...I look forward to the many 'hellos' I'll get when I arrive in Lahore, Pakistan.

Time Flies, Even When You Wish It Didn't

It's now 2 weeks before I am wheels up and leaving Muscat, Oman.  What a fabulous place!  I will miss so much about Oman.  There are gorgeous beaches, beautiful striking mountains, lots of sand and camels...and wonderful people.  Right now I'm taking a break from trying to sort all my stuff into piles...things to go in my suitcase, things to ship that will go by air and arrive in Pakistan soon(er) than the things that will be shipped later, things that will go into storage for 2 years....yes, 2 YEARS!  Can you imagine not seeing some of your favorite things for 2 years??  Due to where I'm headed (Lahore, Pakistan) I am not taking anything with me that I have an emotional attachment to...just in case I have to leave fast, abandoning all my belongings. It makes it easier to sort but harder since I know I won't see my stuff for years.  *sigh*  But...that's the Foreign Service for you.  Most of the time, most of your stuff follows you everywhere.  It's just that I have so many decisions to make that my head is not processing it all like I wish it would.  I also need to pack my suitcase, pack a box of things I want to mail to Lahore so it will be there when I arrive.  Things like my favorite Hawaiian coffee, some work clothes and shoes (things I don't want to take up room in my suitcase).  The list goes on and on.  Oy.  Fortunately, it will all come together in 2 weeks and I'll be able to breathe again without feeling the stress of a move to another country.

Although it may sound like I'm complaining, I wouldn't trade these times for anything.  I have the best job in the world and moving every 2-3 years is something you eventually get used to.  It sure does keep you from accumulating too much 'stuff' along the way. We do have weight limitations on our shipped things so we are always being careful about just what we collect.  Of all the things I will have collected during my short 6 year career  as a Foreign Service diplomat, the memories will weigh nothing and I will take them with me wherever I go.

Grocery Shopping, Omani Style

One of the great things about my job, and all the traveling I get to do, is grocery shopping in a foreign country.  At my last post, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, so much was available, with fresh fruits and vegetables out of this world!  Shopping was a dream and the prices were great.  Here in Oman, so much is imported that the cost of everything is very high. The fun part comes when you read the cash register receipt and see where things come from.  For example, today I shopped for vegetables and salad fixings to make a really nice salad for a dinner I'm going to tonight.

As you can see, everything is beautiful...fresh, great color and tasty.  But the fun is finding out how far each of these things traveled to end up on my plate tonight.

• Cucumbers are from Oman
• Cauliflower is from Iran
• Bananas are from India (and they are not your standard peel-and-eat variety...very bitter!)
• Carrots are from Australia
• Tomato is from Oman
• Fresh beets are Omani
• The gorgeous red pepper is from Holland
• The lettuce is from Jordan
• And the huge sweet strawberries are from the U.S.A. And at $7.80, they better be good!

Such an international salad I'll have tonight!  I have a garden of my own here and have been very successful in growing some things.  I bought a tiny, 10", fig tree shortly after I arrived here in July 2010 and now it is about 10' tall and covered in figs. I hope some of them ripen in the next 49 days so I can enjoy one!  I've also grown basil from seed and at one time, had 6 large basil bushes.  The plants were so big and healthy that I was supplying the embassy cafeteria with basil and bringing it to work and giving it to my co-workers.

I have some small tomato plants now, and will harvest the first tomato of the season today.  It will go on top of my salad tonight.

It's the size of a walnut but I'm sure it will be delicious!!



In shaa'Allah

In shaa'Allah (Arabic: إن شاء الله‎) An Arabic term to indicate hope for an aforementioned event to occur in the future.  The phrase translates into English as "God willing" or "If it is God's will."  In Arabic speaking countries the term is used by members of all religions, meaning the term in and of itself does not denote a religion, but simply means "God willing."  

If you are living or traveling in a country where Arabic is spoken, you no doubt have heard people say In shaa'Allah.  It's used in so many instances that it really does become a part of everyday language. 

• I'll see you tomorrow. In shaa'Allah.
• I'll get that report to you before 5:00. In shaa'Allah.
• Your flight will depart at 11:35 sharp. In shaa'Allah.

So you can see how In shaa'Allah can become a real part of your vocabulary.  Living in Oman, I have really bought in to the theory...to a certain point. 

I was having a conversation with an Omani couple the other day and we were discussing the very large numbers of people killed in auto accidents in Oman.   Children never appear to be buckled in...they're standing in the back seat or standing in the front seat or sitting in someone's lap.  The statistics are terrible when it comes to death on the roads here.  It doesn't help that there is no such thing as common courtesy on the road.   I asked why children were not restrained in seat belts. Her response...In shaa'Allah.  The prevailing attitude is that things are predestined and if Allah is ready to accept you or your child in death, you go.  I asked if this person went to the doctor when they were sick. Yes, she did.  Did they fastened their seat belt when they flew? Yes, her husband said they did.  I asked if they looked both ways when they crossed the street.  They did.  It looked like a light bulb came on in their heads.  I then asked them why, if they take other precautions for their own safety, did they not do the same for their children while riding in a car.  They had no answer.  Before we said goodbye, I asked again if they thought they would fasten the seat belt on their children the next time they rode in the car.  The lady looked at me, smiled and said she would.  In shaa'Allah.

Living in foreign countries, you learn there is a cultural barrier.  Most of the time, you won't convince someone to do something that, all their lives, they've done it their own way. I don't try to change anyone's culture, but sometimes a little conversation might make a difference.  In shaa'Allah.

January 1, 2012

1/1/12.

Another year. I wanted to write something here but haven't decided if I want to reflect on the past year or think about what's in store for me this new year.  Since I seem to be very preoccupied with planning for what's happening now, I think I'll share what my thoughts are about 2012.

This is the year I will move to my next post.  Life in the Foreign Service is a challenge...you have to be careful not to accumulate too much "stuff" because you have to pack out every 2-3 years and move to a new 'home.'  During my short 6 year career, I think I'm safe and will never exceed the weight limitations we have for government moving.  But that doesn't mean I won't buy lots of stuff!  During my first tour in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, I bought things like beautiful baskets and some traditional Lenca pottery, made the same way as the Mayans did centuries ago.  There was also some paintings I fell in love with (thank you Julio Mata Sanabria!) and ended up with 3 of his best.  So far, so good.  Fast forward to Muscat, Oman.  It's a good thing I didn't spend too much in Honduras because I discovered the gorgeous carpets of the Middle East here!  Oh boy...did I ever!  The one below is one of my favorites of the silk-on-silk.  It is gorgeous! I have 5 silk (3 4'x6' and 2 3'x5').

This is the first one I bought...a Persian wool and the largest at 10'x13'.  I hope that when I leave this job and return to a normal life that I have a house big enough for it! 

All totaled, between what I have bought here and in Istanbul, I am the proud owner of 11 carpets.  And I still have 3 1/2 months left here.  That number could go higher!

So...back to what all is on my mind for 2012.  I am up to my neck in the paperwork it takes to get me from Oman to Pakistan.  There is so much to do and if you don't think of all the questions and get answers before you get there, for some things, you are out of luck!  For example, my job is for 1 year but I want to extend for the second year.  This would be perfect as it would take me right up to June 2014, which is the month I have to retire.  If my request is granted, I am entitled to a bit more weight in my shipment to Pakistan.  However, if I don't find out until I get there, I have lost out on bringing a few more precious belongings.  Hopefully, I'll get word soon on my request.  This past week a couple things were finalized and I now no longer need to worry about where I will stay in DC during my 2 weeks there.  I also found out I will be able to put my car in storage for the duration of my tour.  These were big ticket items that were causing me to lose sleep...not any more!  I know that with the holidays, emails were slow to be answered and some people in DC were on vacation.  Now that the holidays are over, I feel certain that things will move along faster.  My biggest fear is that I won't think to ask something that I shoul have and will live to regret it. 

I've started gathering up things I will want to sell in a yard sale before I leave here.  I found out last week that a friend has already gotten that ball rolling.  She and her family are departing post about the same time I am and she is going to have a multi-family yard sale.  Yee haw...so now there is one room in my house where I am putting things I don't need to keep any longer.  This is a good thing because I have lots of beaded jewelry that I make and it will be a great opportunity to sell it. I've been making jewelry for a few months now and figure by the time I get out of the Foreign Service, I may have a few pieces to sell to add to the measly income I will have until I find a real job!  I use gemstones, pearls and mostly silver in my designs and make necklaces, earrings, bracelets and  

badge lanyards for those of us who have to wear badges at work.  It's much nicer to have a piece of jewelry to hang your badge on than an old standard issue chain.

Anyway, I'm gradually adding to the pile and hope to rid myself of some added weight and 'stuff' that I really don't need.  Of course, all my 'stuff' is excellent 'stuff' so I'm sure it will fly off the sale table!

I will leave Oman on April 12th, fly to Kauai and spend 2 weeks spoiling my 3 grandsons and then fly on to Fort Worth, Texas.  It will be great to see my father again and spend time with friends for another 2 weeks. Then on to Washington DC where I will take a week's worth of training for a high risk assignment, do a little shopping and then, on June 2, board a flight for Pakistan.  I have no qualms about going to Pakistan.  I will be fine and as they say here, Insha' Allah, or God Willing, nothing will happen to me.  I know He is watching over me.  Every decision I have made has worked out and there is nothing to make me think that will change now. When you make decisions with your heart, they are bound to work out!

Christmas in Oman...and Paris

Next year I move on to another post, Lahore, Pakistan.  I'm excited about the challenges and changes I will face.  I decided that before I headed back to Texas for my home leave and training (and then onward to Pakistan) I would make a short trip Paris.  I invited my daughter to meet me there, but she was unable to get away, so I flew off for a solo 5 day vacation in the City of Lights.

I had a blast!  I must have walked 25 miles in 5 days!  I went to the top of the Eiffel Tower and drank in the gorgeous views from all sides...Paris is even more beautiful from above!  The very wide boulevards and beautiful buildings were amazing.  It was a cold and cloudy day but as the clouds blew by, openings were created and I was able to get some great pictures.  Since it was not that great of a day weatherwise, it wasn't crowded and moving around was really easy.  Our tour guide was a Canadian girl who knew every bit of information about the Tower and about Gustave Eiffel.  Spending the extra few dollars to get a guided tour was worth every penney. I would have never learned what I did just by wandering around on my own.

Another place I visited a couple of times was L'Arc de Triomphe.  What a gorgeous giant monument! The monument is covered with the names of the soldiers, dates and there is even an eternal flame and burial of a French soldier, sort of like our tomb of the unknown soldier we have in DC.

Up close, you can see the intricate details of the sculptures all over the monument...it's just amazing.  I also decided to walk up the 284 steps to the very top observation deck...and made it!  Once again, the view was spectacular!  There are 12 very wide boulevards that lead into the Arc, sort of like spokes of a wheel.  You can see forever from the top and really appreciate the layout of the city. Just another example of extreme beauty in Paris.

No trip to Paris would be considered complete without a trip to the Louvre.  I'm not a real art afficionado, but I was totally blown away by the beauty at the Louvre.  The sculptures were absolutely gorgeous (Venus de Milo, among many others) and the paintings were unbelievable.  I was not impressed by the Mona Lisa, even though her eyes did follow me when I walked around her.  There are so many other more beautiful works of art than her and I just don't get all the hoopla over that one painting. 

Another side trip I invested in was the Hop On-Hop Off bus tour.  I bought a 2 day ticket and the 4 different routes made it possible to see almost the entire city.  You could get off where you wanted and about 30 minutes later, another yellow and blue bus would come along and you got back on.  One of the many stops was Notre Dame.  Once again, I saw that the pictures I  have seen of this place all my life just don't do it justice.  There is so much beauty incorporated on the front of Notre Dame...I just wish I had a guide to tell me what everything was...what story they were telling. I suppose I could google Notre Dame and get all the details.  The inside was gorgeous with tall, tall ceilings and beautiful brickwork on them.  The stained glass "rose" windows are plentiful.  The feeling of history and reverence that you get when inside a place such as Notre Dame is very powerful...like being in the middle of a historical moment.

During my wanderings in Paris, I found lots of shops to explore.  But my favorites were the bakeries.  The baguettes and beignets (especially the chocolate filled ones) and croissants were delicious.  And I had some of the best french onion soup, french fries and cheeses ever!  All in all, I had a great time!

When I told some people I was going to Paris by myself, I got odd looks.  The most romantic city in the world and you're going by yourself???  You bet!  I decided several years ago to 'just do it' and denying myself something merely because I would do it alone was certainly not reason enough to not 'do it.'   And when I tell my friends about my adventures, I know they wish they were me.

My Next Assignment Is...

I can finally write about where I'm headed after I leave Muscat, Oman.  I haven't been able to post it here because I hadn't told my 96 year old father.  How to tell him where I was headed was something I thought long and hard about.  I've known for over a month I was going to Lahore, Pakistan but wasn't sure how to tell him.  Many of my friends here said just tell him some you're going to some other country and he won't worry about you.  But lying to my Dad just was not the route I wanted to go.  So I sent an email and was honest about it and so...now he knows and he supports me!

Of all places in Pakistan, Lahore is the safest.  The timing is perfect as I race toward my June 30, 2014 retirement date, and the current OMS there said she likes it so much she is extending for another year.  That spoke volumes to me and helped me make the decision to pursue the position there, which is, once again, in security. 

I am now in the process of completing the mountain of paperwork, making decisions about everything and trying to figure out just what I will take with me. I won't take anything with me that I wouldn't be OK with walking away from should there be an ordered departure (evacuation).  Just what will I miss the most?  Probably all the GORGEOUS silk carpets I've bought here in Oman!  Oh well...2 years flies by so quickly, I'll be reunited with them before I know it.

Life is, indeed, an adventure.  Mine continues and hopefully, I will have some very interesting stories to tell about my time in Pakistan. The tour is for 1 year but I intend to request it to be 2 years. That way I don't have to worry about finding a 1 year assignment in June 2013.  I have had such a wonderful time in Oman, it will be hard to leave.  This is a gorgeous country and the people are wonderful. Right now, it's winter and the temperature is in the 70s, cooling off to the 60s at night. 

Tonight I fly off to enjoy a week in Paris, France!  I invited my daughter to meet me there but unfortunately, she can't. So me and my camera will just have to have fun by ourselves!  I've been watching the weather reports and it's cold and there's a chance of snow tomorrow!  It's been over 4 years since I experienced any cold weather, so I had to go find some cold weather shoes. I am now set!  I can't wait...Christmas in the City of Lights!