ON THE SEINE

Sometimes when you're working in Yemen you need a break. Memorial Day weekend was one of those times. So, naturally, I went to Paris for the weekend. Even as I write that now it sounds ridiculous. But so very fun and worth it. I probably would have gone just for Berthillon ice cream . . .

A DAY AT THE MUSEUM

Apologies for the silence . . . I suppose things have been fairly routine over the recent past. Or at least routine for Yemen. There will be several posts coming, as there are new photos, so check back in a few days.

It turns out that a professor at BYU is trying to bring several important pieces of Yemen's archeological history to Utah for an exhibit they're putting together. Thankfully Vanessa and compatriots in Public Affairs remembered I am a BYU alumnus, so I got to be the local color while we talked through the details. This is a long way of saying that I got to go to the National Museum yesterday. It's impressive considering its resources. Completely full of amazing artifacts, and with just the right amount of field trips present. And it looks positive for a loan of some incredible items to BYU next year.

A few photos from the museum, which is in a classic Sanaa house (with tower!). There will be more to come:

A shroud from the Kaaba in Mecca

The Museum Building

THE RESULT IS HERE

Elections, Sanhan, Yemen

I've heard back from the assignments officers and it's now as official as anything can really be in the State Department . . . I will be posted to Madrid in September 2014. It will be a two year consular assignment. Needless to say, I'm pretty excited about it. Do come visit often.

 
Lately I've been going through a lot of pictures I've taken over the past many years, so I thought I'd post a few of my favorites which haven't been on this blog before. Some of you have probably had to suffer through these before . . . my apologies. But I was a bit nostalgic this week, being Christmas and all, and wanted to put a few memories up.

Trash Collector, Shanghai, China

Central Park, New York City

Shanghai, China

Huangshan, China

Alleyway store numbers, Shanghai, China

Mosaic, Hagia Sofia, Istanbul, Turkey

Alban Temple, Seki, Azerbaijan

Alban Temple, Seki, Azerbaijan

Hanoi, Vietnam

Tiananmen Square, China

Near Ruo Ta, China

Gundin Monastery, Tibet

Wadi Dhamr, Yemen

IT"S THAT TIME OF YEAR . . . BIDDING SEASON!

First, some news. The bidlist (a coveted list of places where I could next be assigned) is out, and in the next few weeks I have the pleasant duty of deciding whether Switzerland or Spain or Argentina or China or any number of places is the one I'll be living in next. I know, it's a tough life. It is, of course, rather more complicated than spinning a globe. The timing has to fit my schedule (including language training, etc.), I have certain requirements to meet to be tenured, and a host of other issues must be addressed. But there are a good 30 cities which meet most of the criteria, and I can only go to one. I do have the advantage of choosing first on account of being in Yemen, which means I must choose wisely. I'll be sure to keep everyone posted as the results come back in, which should be sometime in early January.

To tide you over, here's a few more photos from Spain and Morocco:

The Results of Tyler's Brief Sojourn on the Field of the Camp Nou

Arches in Cordoba

Roman Ruins in Cordoba

What Passes for Garden Gnomes for the King of Spain

The Aquaduct of Segovia

The Source of Light for the Cathedral of Toledo

Guards of the Palacio Real, Madrid

Guards of the Palacio Real, Madrid

El Escorial, a Modest Royal Summer Cottage

Gardens of El Escorial

El Escorial

Toledo

First Bishop of Toledo

Garden Sculpture, Toledo

The Desert at Night, Morocco