Off the Map

A Meeting with the Ambassador

Quite the Gala Event went down this evening.

The other American students and I were able to meet and speak with the American Ambassador to Germany, Daniel R. Coats, at a ritzy gathering set to excellent acapella.

A couple German officials and people of note made inspiring speeches about German-US relations, and then the Ambassador gave a brief Thank-You speech (its his first time in Regensburg) before mingling. Though there were students from Wesleyan, Vanderbilt, and one or two other well known schools there, the CU Crew was able to engage both Mr. and Mrs. Coats significantly longer and more excitedly than the others combined. Score 1 for the Uni. of Colorado!

The Ambassador, a Republican, was very well spoken (as he should be!) and had some interesting perspectives on American positions. In short he defended our administration's record far better than Bush's campaign is currently. He also made a couple interesting insights on being part of the foreign service branch rather than stuck on Capitol Hill: The big difference being that you can actually get things accomplished abroad, as you don't find yourself stuck in the legislative mess back in DC.

Just prior to the end of the event the a-capella choir sang a soulful goodbye song - causing the Ambassador and his wife to get very teary eyed and emotional. I was standing near them at the time and heard something about this being the end of something. Obviously they weren't emotional to be leaving one more of probably several hundred such events. Anyone have any ideas? Will the next president be reviewing posts?

A great experience (great drinks and bread too!). I'll have a picture to post soon of me and a couple others with the Ambassador. Stay tuned.

posted by Jason @ 10:48 pm