Some things you might find at the CIA

During my NYLF-Defense, Intelligence, and Diplomacy conference, I visited the CIA headquarters in Northern Virginia. I found some very interesting things:

Scented Candles

Shot Glasses

Russian Dolls

These are all the things stashed away in the place where America's most vital intelligence matters lies. To be more precise, this is what you can find in the wonderfully bizarre, random CIA gift store. It also happens to be just about the only place the CIA actually let us visit. In case you didn't know, the CIA happens to be strict and secretive.

On our bus ride to CIA headquarters in Northern Virginia, we learned the CIA checked everyone's background two weeks in advance of our visit. We weren't allowed to bring any electronic devices on the bus (That is right, my Ipod is a national security threat) and the first thing that happened when we arrived was a complete search of the vehicle with bomb-sniffing canines.

As strict and secretive the CIA is, everything else was pretty normal. I didn't find James Bond, but I did see a lot of forty-year old men that looked balding and grey, perfectly suitable for a Viagra or Cialis commercial.

An analyst spoke to us about working for a CIA, describing its perks, follies, and the various misconceptions about working there. She was a young hispanic girl, several years out of grad school and she seemed very down to Earth. She traveled abroad, but never as undercover case officer. In fact, instead of traveling or participating in any life threatening activities, the bulk of her job consisted of reading, thinking critically, and then writing. She and the rest of her colleagues work very hard, explaining the seemingly random selection of things at the CIA gift store. CIA employees don't get out much so the gift shop serves as the one-stop place for all their needs.

Its too bad I learned that those needs aren't necessarily mine.