The robe in the attached picture is not mine, but one of the robes supplied by the Hotel Helix. You'll also notice the picture of Barbie on the wall, so now you know should you choose to stay here. But I'm imagining that if you like this sort of thing, you probably wear more funky underwear than me. Which by the way you can also buy here --there are animal skin undies for sale in the room. Quite frankly, I am simply unprepared for this level of culture.
I'm also unprepared for the very high level of talent with my fellow Fellows. Post-graduate degrees is de rigeur, with most having a law degree and using it in some form or fashion. There is so many good people here, I'm looking forward to learning from them.
We had dinner with the French ambassador at his private residence tonight. An amazing way to start this experience, not only because of the setting, but because of the conversation. The Ambassador touched on a variety of subjects:
-the G20 in Pittsburgh (no longer an economic forum, and difficult to predict its usefulness until France is head of the G8 and G20 in 2011).
-transatlantic cooperation (essential to continued economic growth, battling terrorism, and success in Afghanistan).
-internal unrest in Iran (remember it took 2 years to overthrow the Shah, so be patient).
And by far the most controversial thing he said was that Al Qaida is no longer active in Afghanistan and Pakistan. No matter they threatened the Germans if they didn't vote out Merkel in last week's elections, just to leverage recent German public unhappiness with their army's participation there.
Attached is my menu. I felt unprepared for the protocol (turns out, he is simply addressed as 'Ambassador'). The Ambassador and his staff were incredibly kind, thoughtful and he was the consummate host. It was an experience I'm sure I won't soon forget, and not the first that I won't have experiences to draw from. By the way, you are expected to keep both hands visible during dinner on the table, but not your elbows.
Oh and BTW, I had to go to the bathroom and wouldn't you know he had the same robe that I found in my hotel room?
Update: I am writing from my BB, and adding a picture wasn't as easy as it seemed. More to come once I solve the problem. Cheers.
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Sounds like you're off to a great start, but you're not as unprepared as you think. Just remember the advice I'm certain Ham gave you (if not recently, then when you were young) - never pay attention to the French. I feel obligated to remind you of this lesson, since you've been over the pond less than 48 hours and you're already using phrases like "de rigeur" conversationally. Keep that up and you won't be welcomed back to SENC.
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