Memoir | Interlude | Part V of VI | Business Travel Journals

After the explosion in the mailroom left me with minor injuries, I saw an unexpected opportunity to escape my role as a mail clerk. With boldness and a touch of mischief, I inquired about a reassignment—one that would take me far beyond the confines of the mailroom in the dungeon at the Department.

To my surprise, the request was granted. I was offered a two-year position as a Global Traveler for the U.S. Department of Prominence, based in Washington, D.C. In my mind, I became Special Agent Mia Z.

In this fifth installment, Business Travel Journals, I begin by unpacking the self-doubt that shadowed my early steps and the rigorous training that prepared me for international business travel. I’ll share how I overcame a fear of flying, and the paranoia that crept in during my first journey abroad.

You’ll find a list of the countries I explored during my assignment, and how, thanks to my street smarts and quick thinking, I was eventually offered a permanent position.

I held deep respect and affection for my supervisor, Mr. Hertzberg. Our trip briefings, his steady guidance during my calls from overseas, and our debriefings upon my return to Washington became touchstones of my journey. I even wrote a tribute to his sharp wit and wisdom titled The Savvy Supervisor.

Throughout this chapter, I recount the adventures and encounters that unfolded in each city and country I visited. While I didn’t document every location, I managed to compile 13 vivid, unforgettable stories from across the globe.

This two-year odyssey was more than a job—it was a transformation. And these journals are my way of honoring the journey.

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(Copyright © 2025 by Mia Z. Edwards. All rights reserved.)