First day of work

I really need to get more creative with these post titles... however, creativity has not been my strong suit lately, but I'll work on it.

On to the story... yesterday I decided to go into work for a little bit to start my paperwork. I successfully called my first cab and got to the Embassy in about 5 minutes, apparently I live close. I passed a "Luxor" casino on my way, which was hysterical. They do have bingo and slots though, so at least I know what Monterrico (the neighborhood of the Embassy) nightlife is like.

I arrived at the Embassy and went up to the first security guard I saw. I explained that I work there and that it was my first day and was quickly asked for my security badge. Again I explained that it was my first day and that I did not have a badge yet, so I handed over my passport. I waited outside for a couple of minutes and the guard returned and asked for which section I work. I answered "econ" and then he went back inside of the guard shack. A few more minutes pass and then he comes back out and asks for my supervisor's name, so I tell him Marcos and then wait some more. Eventually they let me inside the security shanty and make me empty my purse of anything electronic, which since I had not emptied it since I arrived in Lima it was full of phones and ipods and computer cords. After walking through the metal detector and getting my purse back, Marcos met me to escort me inside. Apparently, with my American passport the guards were supposed to let me into the Embassy lobby without hassle. Oh well.

I work on the fourth floor of the Embassy, which is so secure that I need to separate passcodes for the two locks it takes to get into my office. Once in my office, I met our secretary, Leilani, and a co-worker, Russ. It turns out that summer (in the US) is turnover season at the Embassy, so we are down three people and our secretary is about to switch posts. My office is already small, but with these reductions it will be only 5 employees for the next three months (myself included). I think I will be working on some neat projects, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and the US Peru Free Trade Agreement implementation. I'm starting to feel very lucky to have gotten this opportunity and I really hope I can learn something here.

After Marcos' office tour, Leilani and I took all my forms and made the rounds to turn them in. Check-in is a long and daunting process. I hope to complete it on Monday, but we'll see. I have my security briefing on Monday which means that I will finally get a badge, but until then I have to go through the daily security rigamarole and be escorted everywhere I go.

I ended up meeting the other interns for dinner and I think we have a good group. Two of the others, Devin and Clement, work in the Consular Affairs office while Amy is in the Public Affairs office. They showed me around the Embassy area and the "El Polo" centro comercial, where there are several restaurants and some shopping. We had some gelato and then later had crepes for dinner. I had my first pisco sour and it was quite good. It was very similar to the Miraflores cocktail I had at the Violet Hour with Christine, Laura and Meredith. This makes sense as the cocktail had pisco, bitters, and egg whites in it, as does the Peruvian drink.

This afternoon Amy, Devin and I are headed to the centro historico to see the Plaza Mayor. Essentially we are going to the old part of town to see the palacios and cathedrals. I hear its very beautiful there, so I'll be sure to take lots of photos.