We’ve arrived to Niamey!

Bonjour!

WE had a super smooth ride. I was worried about getting through the security screening at Dulles International. Not because I was smuggling but because of all the lines. But because we flew business class and had diplomatic passports, they wisked us through ahead of everyone else and we sat in the Air France lounge for an hour before boarding! Help yourself to free drinks (Champagne in an ice bucket, Stolichnaya, Tangueray, VSOP cognac’s Wild Turkey, Beck’s, Heineken; nothing but the best)with french cheese plates and pate! I love this job already! We were giddy!

The flight from DC to Paris was very comfortable on business class. 7 1/2 hours. Arrived in Paris where once again we were treated to the Business lounge with coussants, french coffee, and again, all the spirits you can drink (and they do drink in the mornings). Then the flight to Niamey without any problems (5 1/2 hours).

The kids did great. Well behavied. Interesting observations and comments. The stewardess asked Stefan if he might see an elephant. "Yes!" he said, "but not any whales!"

We were greeted at the airport and again wisked through ahead of all those poor travelers standing in line. It was 30 degrees celcius.

The ride to our house was so interesting. People waking right up to and even in the street where cars whizz by at 50 MPH. Women dressed in African garb balancing pots on their heads and men on with their faces wrapped in scarves on camels, donkey carts, and motorcycles. Beggars and mamed, the police and crowded market places. The huts look like Mexico. Then Niger River was surprisingly beautiful with green grass and shrubs growing all around.

Our guard was standing in front of our house in the hot sun and opened the locked gate. We entered the compound and the gate was closed behind us. The house is large and square shaped made of stucco. Given the heat and the palm shrubs, it reminded me of Davis.The inside accommodations are quite nice. We got new furniture and the rooms are very spacious. There’s a filter on our drinking water and the beds have mosquito netting canapies covering them. We swam in the pool which was very clean and refreshing.

Today is my first day at work. I’m being introduced to the Ambassador and everyone else here at post. My clinic is quite well equiped and stocked. Amina, my nurse is so nice!

We are working on phones and getting e-mail set up at the house. A trip to explore the market too!