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Two Crabs
Washington, DC
A wanderlust U.S. Foreign Service couple exploring the world, one country -- and one pub -- at a time!
Interests: Traveling, skiing, hiking, biking, camping, cooking, film, journalism, foreign relations
Recent Activity
Bob Marley's U.S. immigration and visa records
Happy Valentine's Day. To commemorate today's release of the film "Bob Marley: One Love," here's a fascinating and detailed look at Bob Marley's U.S. immigration record. The 95-page docket, released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), reveals that Marley... Continue reading
Posted Feb 14, 2024 at Two Crabs
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The Kabul Cinephile: Arctic
I've seen more movies in the past 5 months than I have in the past 5 years, mainly because they are all screened free here for U.S. military, diplomats and others employees. And most of the films shown at Embassy... Continue reading
Posted Feb 10, 2019 at Two Crabs
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Where I am, where I'm going next!
In June 2017, I started lobbying and bidding hard for PSP -- Primary Staffing Posts, which includes Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and South Sudan (sort of). I started bidding for every job in my Consular cone. Sadly there are way more... Continue reading
Posted Jan 11, 2019 at Two Crabs
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TwoCrabs' Best of Calgary awards
Best Local Ski Resort: Sunshine Village, Banff Located about 90 minutes west of Calgary, Sunshine is not as large or challenging as the better-known Lake Louise Ski Resort, but it's much more laid back, with long green and blue cruisers.... Continue reading
Posted Jan 6, 2019 at Two Crabs
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Canada: Redux
I've been horrible about blogging, mainly because I just don't have the time and it seems like blogs are so 2012. Does anybody care or read blogs anymore? I rarely do. But, I thought I'd blog today because it's on... Continue reading
Posted Jan 6, 2019 at Two Crabs
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VOTE OR DIE
NEWS YOU PROBABLY MISSED ON YOUR TYPICAL U.S. NEWS OUTLET, BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO BUSY COVERING TRUMP'S LATEST OUTBURST OR CELEBRITY GOSSIP: Today, Afghanistan held its first independent elections since the end of Taliban rule in 2001. This week, dozens... Continue reading
Posted Oct 20, 2018 at Two Crabs
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In praise of: Canadian healthcare
One of the perks of our job in Canada is access to Alberta Healthcare. This is the second time we have been covered by universal healthcare, or "socialized medicine" as conservatives call it pejoratively. We were covered by British National... Continue reading
Posted Nov 18, 2017 at Two Crabs
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When history repeats itself
Condensed from "A Covert Affair: Julia Child and Paul Child in the OSS" by Jennet Conant: New fears about the nation's security had gripped the public. The tone of political debate in Congress grew sharply partisan and bitter, with the... Continue reading
Posted Sep 24, 2017 at Two Crabs
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Thank you Lisa! I will update.
국녕사: The Golden Buddha of Bukhansan
Yesterday, the Two Crabs and friends took a hiking trip to experience one of the most amazing sights in Seoul - the Golden Buddha of Bukhansan. Located in Bukhansan National Park just north of downtown Seoul, the Golden Buddha of Bukhansan is the largest sitting Buddha statue in East Asia. We...
Europe Vacation, part 2
The Two Crabs are back in the Great White North of Canada after a 3 week trip through Europe that took us to Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Austria. A few more snapshots of our trip. St. Johann in Tirol,... Continue reading
Posted Jun 4, 2017 at Two Crabs
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Greetings from Europe, Part 1
Above: the beautiful cliff side village of Positano on Italy's Amalfi Coast. The Two Crabs are currently on vacation in Europe -- our first time back here in over 3 years. One of the great pleasures and benefits of this... Continue reading
Posted May 10, 2017 at Two Crabs
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The post below was written by a Foreign Service...
The post below was written by a Foreign Service professional, in response to proposed huge cuts at the Department of State. This post was making the rounds among FS staff for several days but now it's officially gone viral. I... Continue reading
Posted May 3, 2017 at Two Crabs
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In praise of: Calgary Stampede
Full disclosure: before we were assigned to Calgary, I had never heard of the Calgary Stampede -- billed as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth". The Stampede is part rodeo, part state fair, this quintessential Canadian event was actually started... Continue reading
Posted Aug 24, 2016 at Two Crabs
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Where Americans die Abroad
One of the most difficult tasks as a Consular Officer is dealing with the inevitable case of a U.S. citizen who has died overseas. I will never forget the first time I had to make 'The Call' to the family... Continue reading
Posted Mar 9, 2016 at Two Crabs
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RIP: Kimberly Kenny - 1968 - 2016
The beautiful woman above with the curly red hair is Kimberly Kenny, a dear friend and wonderful musician with the voice of an angel. You may not know her, but she touched countless lives with her passionate soul, songs and... Continue reading
Posted Feb 23, 2016 at Two Crabs
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How we learned to stop worrying and love Canadian winters
Surviving and loving winters in Calgary, Canada Continue reading
Posted Feb 7, 2016 at Two Crabs
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Thanks for reading!
Ski High 1! (하이원!)
During the 2013-2014 Ski Season, the Two Crabs had the opportunity to sample four of Korea's major ski resorts: Yongpyong, Phoenix Park, Bears Town and High 1 Resort. Of those, HIGH 1 is by far the tops! The Two Crabs visited High 1 during the American President's Day holiday weekend with do...
http://www.bearstown.com/_lang_eng/. I can't remember what we paid but it was probably about $45 USD. And it's not worth the hassle to bring skis from outside the resort just to save a few bucks. If you were going east to one of the bigger resorts like High 1 or Yongpyong, then it's definitely worth it to rent outside the resort. Bearstown is a VERY small neighborhood ski resort but it's perfect for beginners.
Ski Bears Town! (베어스타운)
It's time for another episode of The Two Crabs Guide to Skiing Korea! The final resort we are reviewing this season is Bears Town. This small resort is located less than 45 minutes northeast of downtown Seoul. With just a handful of slopes and creaky slow-ass chair lifts, and mostly man-made s...
Oh, Canada!
The Two Crabs are now officially in Canada! We arrived in Calgary in mid-July after a month of Home Leave. We haven't been here long but already loving our new job and home at the foothills of the Canadian Rocky... Continue reading
Posted Aug 26, 2015 at Two Crabs
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Reverse Culture Shock
Biggest reverse culture shocks from our first 24 hours back in DC: 1) The diversity of America, or, Fifty Shades of Brown. As a "minority," this was especially noticeable after 2 years living in Korea, one of the most homogeneous... Continue reading
Posted Jun 14, 2015 at Two Crabs
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Oh the Places We've Been
Yes I'm guilty of not blogging. 2015 has been a very challenging year, between bidding and now scrambling to pack-out with only 2 months notice of where we are going (Canada). Our pack-out is tomorrow, and I'm about to lose... Continue reading
Posted May 31, 2015 at Two Crabs
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I just cancelled my United Chase Visa card. I never did get a straight answer about this bullshit from United. I did get a letter from Chase, stating they must abide by United rules and wording and referred me back to United, who never answered me.
United Airlines: Rhapsody in Blues & Commas
Update: Apparently this post was picked up by Reddit, so my blog views have shot through the roof. However, I've updated the post below to clarify some of the (rude) questions posed on Reddit. An Open Letter to Thomas O'Toole, President, United MileagePlus Marketing & Loyalty; and David Gol...
The Great White North Buffalo
More than 9 1/2 months ago, Mr. Crab began the long painful task known as mid-level bidding. To recap: a Foreign Service Officer's first two tours are "directed assignments", which is a nice way of saying you go wherever the... Continue reading
Posted Mar 22, 2015 at Two Crabs
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The Pig in the Python
It's been a while since my last post so I'll give a quick recap: In November we went on R&R to Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. In January, we went on a one-week trip to Hawaii with family. The... Continue reading
Posted Feb 21, 2015 at Two Crabs
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Dancing the Bidding Dance
Back in September, I submitted my bids for my next assignment. My next tour will be my first mid-level tour as a tenured Foreign Service Officer. And with it comes a whole new world known as Mid-Level Bidding. For your... Continue reading
Posted Nov 5, 2014 at Two Crabs
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