JoAnn: Independence Day at the US Embassy

Posted 12:59 AM, July 07, 2006, by jaczecho

This past Saturday evening, I went to an Independence Day party at the American embassy. We showed our passports and were ushered through a metal detector into the embassy's front yard. Everything was decorated with red, white and blue: little flags and candles and miniature Statues of Liberty.

There were burgers and dogs on the grill, and a buffet with chips, kebabs, and potato salad. Louis Armstrong played in the background. We sang the national anthem, and the ambassador (who covers both EG and Cameroon) made a speech announcing the appointment of an ambassador specific to EG. Then they handed out sparklers.

It wasn't quite like the Fourth of July cookouts I know and love so much, but I found the cooler full of ice cold Bud, and made the best of it.

There was something a little uncanny about it, though. I mean, for one, it was a really formal event-everyone in suits and dresses. It was weird to have us picnicking in our fancy clothes. Also, it wasn't just Americans who were invited, but all the diplomats. And to be honest, diplomats aren't your typical barbecue crowd. They answer their cell phones in dozens of different languages, influence international policy, and drink wine, not beer. Perhaps the ten foot high cement wall surrounding the embassy also contributed to the eerie feeling I had at the party.

It wasn't all weird, though. I met two very interesting ladies from Pennsylvania who are working with an organization devoted to saving the primates (specifically mandrills) on the island. They've been pretty successful, too: this past year, over 40% of the land in EG was designated protected territory. On the way out of the party, they gave us a little gift: a baseball cap embroidered with the American and Guinean flag. Cool.

Comments

I can't wait to see you sport the hat back in the good ol' U.S. of A! I hope you are having a good time and I'm glad you are able to give us boring folks a window into how things are going. I'm still sorry I missed talking to you before you left and I'm looking forward to catching up with you sometime soon(ish). (I think about you every time I wear those earings!)
Love,
Kristen

Comment by: Kristen at July 9, 2006 08:18 PM

hi jo ann

I saw this article and thought of you-I will also forward via your email. hope you are safe and reasonably comfortable. love dad

Comment by: jim czechowicz at July 10, 2006 01:12 PM