So much for my New Years Resolution to be better about my blog! Things have been busy. For Easter I went to Malta with 7 other friends. Can you imagine 8 women and we were all still speaking after we returned home. Then my family came to visit and it was off to Ireland. They left on Wednesday and the following Saturday I was off to Florida for a HRO conference. It was great to hear stories from other posts and meet my colleagues. I got back on Saturday (a week after I left) and the next weekend headed to Florence. From Easter until June 2nd we have so many holidays that we literally only have one 5 day work week in that time! This week is going to be llloooonnnggg!
Florence is an amazing city. I had a hotel right in the middle of town-the hotel actually had FOX NEWS. I was in heaven! I have to admit I was astounded at the differences between the Dutch and the Italians. It isn't really anything you can put your finger on-but I l saw the first difference as soon as the plane landed. We weren't even to the gate and people were already up, in the aisle and ready to start disembarking! It was willy nilly-no structure for the rest of the trip (except when watching FOX NEWS). The first day I just enjoyed eating gelato, walking around the markets, eating gelato, seeing the churches and then I had a last gelato before bed. Sunday I woke up and headed to the Uffuzi gallery. Luckily I had made reservations, the line is two hours long (that is a lot of gelato). The gallery was amazing. Not only are the pictures fantastic and there is a fantastic view over the Ponte Vecchio. After a couple of hours I was getting the shakes-I needed a gelato. I headed out, got my gelato and wandered over to the Medici chapel, a little church in the middle of town and home to three Michelangelo's. There are no words to describe it....I then headed over to a little trattoria for lunch and a glass of wine. I then made my way over to the Academia to spend a little time with David. Once again I was smart enough to have reservations-no line for me. I headed through the metal detector, into the museum and turned the corner....at the end of the hall-past all of the tourists in their bermuda shorts and black socks was David, in all of his glory. I just sat and soaked it all in. In the hall leading up to David are the "prisoners" sculptures that Michelangelo had started but never finished. I then followed the Italian tradition and went back to my room for a little nap before heading out to dinner. Restaurants don't even open until 7:00-luckily gelato is considered an appetizer by those in the know.
Most of my waking moments are now consumed with getting ready to "bid". This is the list of open HR positions in Embassies around the world. After I get the list I will have about 2 weeks to research, submit my choices. I now have two criteria: labor laws and weather. For instance take Islamabad: great weather, labor laws easy to work with. Do I care if I would have to ride to work in an armored vehicle? Not if the sun is shining and employee's are expected to work....Khartoum-once again great weather, understandable labor laws. I can live with an evacuation or two. One night I dreamed I was sent to Copenhagen-I promise I woke up in a cold sweat and was shaking! As soon as I get my list I will let you know. I am hoping for Africa-where they have.....good weather and.......workable labor laws.
I will work backwards on my Spring trips for my next blog.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
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