Farewell to Nouakchott

***NOTE:  Some of you may have read “Version 1” of this post… but a trusted friend suggested I edit the work-related details since my employer doesn't like it when employees blog publicly about their work experiences without prior approval/clearance - even if I have nothing but nice things to say.  Since this friend has much more experience in this arena than me, here’s the watered down version (still a good read).***

A mere 63 days ago, I arrived in a country I hadn’t heard of 4 months ago.  Scant few details were available online and the only “first-hand” stories I could find from people I knew weren’t promising.  Disease, crime, poverty, and threats of terrorism were just some of the things I had to look forward to on my trip.  However, such is “normal” in the life of a Foreign Service Diplomatic Security Special Agent.

But much to my surprise, this assignment wasn’t as bad as I expected.  Don’t get me wrong… there were long hours and hard work, but Nouakchott, Mauritania wasn’t as bad as everyone told me it would be.  I had the good fortune of working with some wonderful people who were kind and welcoming, helping me as I (often times blindly) navigated my two-month assignment in Mauritania.  I can’t wait for our paths to cross again (which, in the Foreign Service, is inevitable)!

My experiences here definitely covered the gamut of work performed we do as Special Agents overseas, from working with the Marine Security Guards, to managing the local guard force, to providing protection to high-level visitors.  Although it still baffles my why Mauritania was on their travel itinerary, I had the luck of working two VIP visits while I was here on TDY: One for Former President of the United States Bill Clinton and the other for U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.

SECNAV Mabus and Ambassador Powell walking into a meeting (that's my shoulder in the dark suite on the left side of the picture)

SECNAV Mabus talking with the best MSGs in the U.S. Marine Corps!

SECNAV Mabus reviewing Mauritanian Sailors (my shoulder can be seen right behind the Mauritanian Naval Officer with SECNAV - always out of sight, but never too far away)

President Bill Clinton and Chelsea, along with Ambassador Powell (and me in the background)

I met President Clinton back in 1998 at Boys Nation... we've both aged! 

***NOTE: Some of you have asked whether this is really me in the picture – yes, I can promise you it is… scary how much we can change over the years, huh?***

While there was definitely plenty of work to do, I had the chance to have a little fun as well.  The full-time Assistant RSO was on leave during a large portion of my assignment here, so I had the good fortune to dog-sit and house-sit in his family’s absence.  So Jersey the dog and I got to hang out together for almost 5 weeks.  Of course, you’ve already seen a picture of the beach, but I finally had a day off (after almost one month straight), so I took Jersey to the beach to stretch his legs and have some fun.

Jersey the dog

Camel market along the side of the road

Isn't the beach beautiful?

Even Jersey appreciates the calmness of the beach

This has got to be my favorite picture of Mauritania - two donkeys fighting!!!

Having access to a house also meant I had the opportunity to cook.  For those of you who know me well, you know I love to cook – especially deserts.  While I was here, I found a recipe for Peanut Butter Pie that was actually possible to make given the significant lack of resources (i.e. U.S. groceries) here.  It was definitely a treat for the people here since items like that are hard to come by!  It was so good, in fact, I made a second one just prior to my departure so my new friends would have something to remember me by!

Peanut Butter Pie

This TDY assignment was definitely an experience I’ll never forget.  I met a lot of professional contacts, made even more friends, and gained a lot of valuable experience I’ll take with me down the road when I eventually move overseas and become an RSO.  But like all good things, this TDY assignment must come to an end, so I’m off to Paris for a few, much needed, days of R&R before heading back to the U.S.  And since our 9^th Wedding Anniversary is next week, I’m flying Karen out to meet me so we can have some time together.  I’m sure that’ll be a blog post in and of itself in a few weeks!