Hooka and sparklers
Amidst the social events, I've been busy planning Ambassador Crocker's departure. He gave final farewell remarks to a captive audience: all Embassy employees. There was good food, cake and a photo line.
Amidst the social events, I've been busy planning Ambassador Crocker's departure. He gave final farewell remarks to a captive audience: all Embassy employees. There was good food, cake and a photo line.
The lady in the blue jacket is the Deputy Chief of Mission, now the Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Patricia Butenis. My Protocol responsibilities include logistics for her meetings and events as well.
After his farewell, I dashed away with my roommate for an overnight trip to a nearby camp, Victory, for an early morning meeting. Victory is a base that operates out of Alfaw Palace. It was funny how much I missed working in the Presidential Palace. I had almost forgotten the awe of walking into a Palace every day. After the meeting, which was an intelligence brief, coordinated by one of the CG's staffers, we did a little sight seeing around Victory.
A view from the roof of the Palace. This was an old game club where Saddam and his cronies would get-away. The lakes are all man-made. There are Palaces all around these lakes.
Me and T on top of the Palace.
Me, T and Joe, our tour guide for the day.
The helos are landing at BIAP (Baghdad International Airport) which you can see in the distance. We hung out on the roof for a little while taking in the view and watching planes take-off from the airport.
Inside the Palace, this is a gift to Saddam that turned into a photo op.
Saddam built a type of playground park that has now been coined Bed Rock, because it's reminiscent of the Flinstones. We visited and hiked around.
Bed Rock sits on the water facing a Palace...now a bombed out Palace.
We had a cin-a-bon picnic at bedrock. You can see we're rebuilding the destroyed Palace.
Hopped a helo in the afternoon back to the IZ. It was too dark to take photos on the way out, so here are some views of Baghdad from the sky.
That's the update for now. I'm just in preparation mode waiting for Senate confirmation on the new Ambassador. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement.
We had a cin-a-bon picnic at bedrock. You can see we're rebuilding the destroyed Palace.
Me and T
Around Camp Victory, are a few other Camps, Liberty, Slayer, Sully... The slogan made me long for the Redneck Yacht Club. (Shout out to Mary and Scott!)
There is a recently built gas station! It's been a while since I'd seen one of these. We decided to stop in for a fountain soda and found all kinds of fresh fruits and frozen meats that we stuffed into our backpacks and carried home.
Gas Prices
Hopped a helo in the afternoon back to the IZ. It was too dark to take photos on the way out, so here are some views of Baghdad from the sky.
The Presidential Palace, former American Embassy headquarters where I used to work.
Happy V-Day!
We invited a few of our girl friends over for a Japanese Valentine dinner.
T cooks and I bake. Keep scrolling for dessert photos
That's the update for now. I'm just in preparation mode waiting for Senate confirmation on the new Ambassador. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement.
Once again, my address has changed:
Beth Zentmeyer
Unit 2066 Box 66
APO AE 09870-2066
