I began work for the Ministry of the Presidency this week. The office building is located right next to the President's house (Palacio de Garzas). Compared to the United States, the presidential compound is widely accessible … you can walk right by the Palacio de Garzas, the guards will check your bags, but nothing else. The other day I left the presidential compound by walking down an alley and the guard station at the end of the alley was empty!
So far I haven't done too much in the office … the office is in charge of 49 goals of the president (las metas imperdonables) and I've talked to people about what projects I'll be working on but nothing concrete has been decided. On Thursday, I accompanied a coworker who was interviewing school principals. One of the schools was located in downtown but had a couple of roosters walking around outside.
As some of you may know, I frequently save my lunch leftovers and eat them later in the day. I don't think I'm going to be able to continue this habit here. On Wednesday, I went to eat my leftovers after leaving them out for 2 ½ hours and I found a solid stream of ants going from the wall to my styrofoam container. I was shocked, particularly because previously I hadn't seen a single ant in the office.
I was talking to someone about how they conduct the census here. Apparently on the day of the census, nobody is allowed to leave there house until the census takers visit their house (otherwise you can receive a ticket from the police). Once the census takers come visit your house you get a sticker which allows you to leave your residence, of course there isn't anywhere to go because all the businesses are closed since everyone is at home. There is apparently no way to know what time in the day the census takers will come so you can be stuck at home all day.
In other news, I went to the beach again this weekend … this time in the town Santa Carolina. It was nice … good food, good relaxation only got lightly sunburned.
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