Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Calling all TDYers: The Arlington Rap


Can't help but laugh at this performance, especially after you experience the communities around FSI. Embarrassingly, Alan and I both have brown flip-flops.

Change to Post: I later tagged this post with "dog" and "resources" since Brooke asked a great question about dogs at post. Please see comments below, in full post:

3 comments:

Brooke said...

Natalie-- I've been reading your blog ever since my husband decided to apply for the Foreign Service. Now, a year later, he is in A100 and we are about to submit our bid list, and I have a quick question for ya--You mention that there are different rules for the different airports in India re: pet transport. We will be bringing our dog, and are ranking New Delhi as high. I can't find any specifics about how Delhi differs from Kolkata and Mumbai (they are going to be medium bids for us). Any insights? Are you glad you got India?

Natalie Buda Smith said...

Brooke,

Congrats and Rank Kolkata High! ;) We remember that exciting time well; the worst part of the whole process is turning in your bid list and waiting till Flag Day. Excruciating!

If the information for importing a pet isn’t on each post’s Post Info to Go page (available on the intranet or the Overseas Briefing Center (OBC)), email the CLO (Community Liaison Office) at the posts you are interested in for the specific pet import information. Since more animals are brought in through New Delhi, I believe they recommend working with an expediter and have a list of them.

If you can’t make it to the OBC, your husband is able to email you (to your personal account) directly, all the information for a post on Post Info to Go.

Please email me and let me know where you are going, especially if it is Kolkata! Mission India has been a wonderful choice for us, and we are very happy with Kolkata. Each post here has a different flavor, but they all are a great experience – you will have many great photos, stories and opportunities to travel to some amazing places.

Brooke said...

Thanks so much! I've checked all those sites with the exception of the CLO, so I will try there next!
PS--thanks for mentioning Rick McGranahan at Friendship in one of your posts. I got in contact and met with him even before Brian started A100. He is worth a million bucks and I would have no idea there was a pet export specialist had you not written about it!