U.S. Foreign Service Officer headed to Wuhan, China

The mission of a U.S. diplomat in the Foreign Service is to promote peace, support prosperity, and protect American citizens while advancing the interests of the U.S. abroad. The work that diplomats do has an impact on the world as they serve at one of any of the more than 270 embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions in The Americas, Africa, Europe and Eurasia, East Asia and Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, and South Asia.

The duties of a Consular Officer include to provide emergency and non-emergency services to American citizens and protect our borders through the proper adjudication of visas to foreign nationals and passports to American citizens. We adjudicate immigrant and non-immigrant visas, facilitate adoptions, help evacuate Americans, combat fraud, and fight human trafficking. Consular Officers touch people’s lives in important ways, often reassuring families in crisis. They face many situations which require quick thinking under stress and develop and use a wide range of skills, from managing resources and conducting public outreach to assisting Americans in distress.

Emerald Lakes

The most beautiful part of the Tongariro Crossing was seeing the Emerald Lakes. They are known for being bright blue and green colors because of all of the mineral deposits due to the thermal activity. Normally, you can see a few different lakes which look quite dramatic against the dark volcanic landscape, but because it was winter, some were frozen over and we only got a clear look at one of them.

We found a good spot for lunch right next to the lake and couldn't stop looking at its color. It was really exposed during that part of the hike though and we all got really cold from the constant wind. I think all of us put on about every layer we had just to keep warm and it wasn't long before we all wanted to keep moving.

We crossed a large and flat section of snow before gaining elevation a bit only to drop down again and head to the other car park. This involved walking through more harsh landscape where we could see remnants of the most recent blast from the volcano. There was no lava involved, but thermal energy blew a hole in the side of the volcano and sprayed rocks everywhere. A couple of rocks even landed on one of the DOC huts where campers stay on the side of the trail. Fortunately, no one was there at the time and there were no injuries.

While we walked past the hut, there were some DOC workers checking on it and they opened it up for us and let us peek in at the damage. I was amazed at the size of the rocks that had blown all the way from the mountain and landed on the hut. While we were walking, there were signs everywhere to walk quickly through this particular stretch of the crossing as it was still a very active and unpredictable area.

And walk quickly we did. Tired, hungry and thirsty, we all stepped up the pace and made haste for the car all the time looking back at the awesome views of the volcanoes we had left behind. Although it was pretty exhausting and a bit precarious at times, I can definitely understand why many classify this as New Zealand's best day hike and why others consider it one of the most dramatic treks in the world. It will be hard to beat.

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Wanderlust

In Mandarin: 旅遊癮 (lǚyóu yǐn)

According to my Mandarin teacher, the term 'wanderlust' can best be translated as 'a travel addiction or craving'. In the above translation, 'yǐn' has several meanings such as 'a strong impulse', 'a longing', or 'a desire'.

U.S. Foreign Service Officer headed to Wuhan, China

Emerald Lakes

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