One of those days…

It’s definitely been one of those days.

Security guards (and well trained puppies!) are a part of everyday life at the UN. But both yesterday and today, there have been oodles of cops (including your regular garden variety of cop, secret service, personal security guards, plus those commando types wearing flack-jackets and carrying M-16s) hanging around our district of town, with no explaination of why. Instead, people are just inconveniently redirected around the place. They won’t even let you walk up and down some of the streets without showing your UN pass.

This morning, I wasn’t allowed to walk up 44th Street at all. This was rather inconvenient, given that the entrance to my building is on said street. Instead, I was simply asked to “step aside” as I tried to evade the barriers. Asking why would have been a fruitless exercise, so instead I came into the complex via another building.

What annoys me is not being put out slightly due to increased security, nor is it the attitude that you get from all the security staff. It’s not knowing why all these folks are there. My queries were “answered” very late in the piece this arvo, with a rather vauge note from the Security and Safety service, which didn’t really tell me anything that I couldn’t have already guessed – someone important is in town for meetings. (No mention of who, of course.) Apparently the meetings will continue into tomorrow, so hopefully all will be back to normal by Friday.

Anyway, today has also been funny with weather. It was coolish when we got up this morning, then it became overcast and foggy. Next, it started snowing! That changed to rain by about 1 PM, and by 2 PM it was back to a bright blue sunny sky. How are you supposed to dress for that type of weather?

Finally, I brought in all my gear to go to the gym at lunch time today. But of course, I left my padlock (for a locker) at home – which I only discovered after telling everyone that had asked that I was busy for lunch. So I was eating all on my lonesome. I decided to head down to Cosi to grab a freshly made sandwich on their ever-so-tasty bread. However, instead of being manned by their regular army of workers, there was only 1 girl serving the food. And a huge line. And of course, there was no bread ready, so we had to wait for it to finish cooking. What should have been a 3 minute purchase soon turned into a 25 minute ordeal. Lucky I wasn’t in a rush.

I can only wonder what the rest of the day will bring.