Move in Day!
Our very own mango tree.
Hotel life has been great, but we are ecstatic to move into our home and get more settled.
Our new home is 4 bedroom and 3 baths, plus an office. We have a backyard and a wrap around porch (with a screen of course so we can enjoy the evenings sans mosquitos). Security is pretty tight and we have a 24/7 guard.
We seem to be finding our grove in this new life. Until we get a car our main mode of transportation is something called motorpool. Think of it like the DOS version of Uber. It’s a 24/7 car service available to us (free of charge the first two weeks then we have to pay a nominal fee). We still plan on getting a car because although motorpool is great, we want more autonomy and freedom.
We chose a school for my son and he seems to be enjoying it- hopefully the transition to French instruction will be easy for him (his school is half english and half French).
Living room with the infamous Drexel furniture that is in every DOS home- will need some sprucing up no doubt.
I’m now the begrudging owner of a china cabinet. What the heck do I put in this thing?! Porcelain dolls and doilies? Accepting all ideas.
Easing into that diplomatic life
We have already had a few lunch engagements with official embassy staff. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how down to earth and personable everyone is. There is of course decorum and protocol in the FS but I’m so happy my first post is at a relatively laid back embassy- this is the perfect place to learn life in the FS.
Life in Bujumbura moves slow in general. We have had to adjust our expectations and slow down considerably- which honestly is not a bad thing.
Two weeks in and what is work like so far?
I’m seeing on average of about 2-4 patients a day, which coming from a busy family practice setting seems like a breeze, but actually I’m staying quite busy during the day. There is an endless amount of meetings, emails and admin stuff. On top of seeing patient’s, my job is also to manage two nurses and a local doctor and that inevitably comes with added duties and complexities. I haven’t been in a supervisory role before so this is completely new territory. Luckily, I stroke gold with the two nurses as they are absolutely amazing and my lifeline.
Due to the recent outbreak of Sudan ebola virus in neighboring Uganda (we don’t directly share a border but there is a lot of movement across borders with Rwanda and Tanzania) I’ve been in communication and on calls with MED about preparation for this should it reach our border. Our health unit has Isopods which can fit one isolation patient each- so we had some fun taking these out and practicing. I can’t believe this is my job and that someone is actually paying me for this. I’m sure there will be more challenges along the way, but these two weeks have solidified how cool this job really is.
This is home for the next two years.
So excited to have an Avocado Tree. The avocados here are massive and the best I have ever tasted.
My favorite spot in the house
