Washington Life - October 2015 02 | Page 65

 AMBASSADORSALAMAL-SABAH Kuwait Tell us something people don’t know about you and would be surprised to hear. I am a big fan of the old Looney Tunes cartoons and I watch them regularly with my 7-year-old son. What would you say are common misconception in your country about Americans and inversely, what are common misconceptions Americans have about your country? In the Arab world, the common misconception is that all Americans are anti-Arab, and in America, the common misconception is that all Arabs are anti-American. The media on both sides is largely to blame. What are your some of favorite places in Washington? I never get tired of the Air and Space Museum. I am also a big fan of dining out and my favorite restaurants are Et Voila, Fiola Mare, Sushiko, Cafe Milano, Makoto and Setté Osteria. AMBASSADORCLAUDIAFRITSCHE Liechtenstein Tell us something people don’t know about you and would be surprised to hear. I used to be a practicing lab scientist in the biotech industry. I led a team in the development of a pre-clinical drug candidate for blood clots, for which the company filed a patent. What would you like to accomplish in your time in Washington? I would like to achieve greater cooperation in scientific research between Costa Rican and U.S. scientists, and greater educational exchange between both nations. What are your favorite places in Washington? I like to walk to the Mall and visit the monuments and the museums, especially the Air & Space museum. I love to go out to eat in Arlington. A favorite restaurant is Mussel Bar. AMBASSADORCLAUDIOBISOGNIERO Italy What was the best advice given to you as an incoming ambassador? Learn as quickly as possible how Washington works. If you don’t have access where you need it, make sure you know someone who does. What is the best book you’ve read recently? I loved “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand (Louis Zamperini’s incredible story) and my friend Chris Matthews’ “Jack Kennedy – Elusive Hero.” What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies? I love travelling in the U.S. (I have visited all 50 states) and beyond. It is my everlasting passion. I like hiking, films and reading. What was the best advice given to you as an incoming ambassador? Subscribe to Washington Life! What are your favorite places in Washington? I like the National Gallery – the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the U.S., “Ginevra de’ Benci,” is there, it used to belong for centuries to the princely family of Liechtenstein. My all-time favorite is the National Museum of Women in the Arts. WA S H I N G T O N L I F E AMBASSADORROMANMACAYAHAYES Costa Rica | O C T O B E R      | washingtonlife.com Are you on Twitter? Naturally, I actively use Twitter (@ CBisogniero). I don’t think anybody can function effectively as a diplomat in the 21st century without being an active part of social media. This is why the Italian Embassy strives to play a leading role in this field: please feel free to visit our Social Media Hub (www. twiplomacy.it) and share your ideas with us today!. 65