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.

Alcântara

Getting ready to get on the catararan

Enjoying the breeze on the way to Alcântara

One last place we visited in the neighboring state of Maranhão was the colonial town of Alcântara. This little city is across the bay from the capital São Luis and is known for having some of the most well-preserved architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries. Alcântara was the preferred residence of Maranhão's rich plantation owners. Although it was in decline since the second half of the 19th century, now it is a nostalgic mix of ruined, maintained and restored mansions, houses and churches on picturesque cobblestone streets. It was really relaxing and scenic to walk around Alcântara because it was so quiet, safe and beautiful. Lonely Planet calls it both "authentic" and "seductive" and adds that it is "one of the most stunning examples of historical beauty in all of Brazil."

Touring one of the original slave churches

Maranhão is really famous for its beautiful, old tiles

Though taking a tour around the city was cool, we had more fun actually getting across the bay on a fun catamaran. The splashes from the waves felt great on such a hot day and we even saw a few Red Ibises flying by. Alcântara makes a great day trip from the capital; we left at around eight in the morning and returned at five in the afternoon. The crew members on the boat were especially efficient because nobody wanted to miss one of the final World Cup games that started soon after we got back. Priorities.

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Sarah Sanderson

1 Comment

Unknown on September 14, 2014 at 10:40 PM

I'd like to visit there after read this post

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

Alcântara

1 Comment