On Dec 14, I was invited to lunch with US Ambassador to the United Nations Organization in Rome, Italy. I was the one male in a group of 5 volunteers. (Most Peace Corps volunteers are women.) Ambassador Vasquez was escorting a group of 5 mid-eastern and North African journalists on a tour of Mali to demonstrate how the USA is helping Africa. In particular, he visited projects associated with USAID, and the UN Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO). As the former Director of the Peace Corps, Ambassador Vasquez wanted to introduce some volunteers to the journalists as well. The journalists were all distinguished by having been nominated from their respective embassies for the trip.
I sat between the woman journalist from Kuwait, and the male journalist from Morocco. Other journalists came from Egypt, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia. Some of the journalists took pictures, others were writers. I was reminded how well-to-do Kuwait is. They do not know poverty as Mali does. I asked how citizens of Kuwait view the USA. She responded that the US has a poor image in Kuwait, especially after the Iraq experience.
Last but not least, the Ambassador gave each volunteer his business card, and said that it was good for a free night’s stay at his house in Rome. I am buying my airline ticket now!