We went out last night to watch football at the local pub http://www.pickwick.ch/ We got there at 6:00 -- which was an hour before game time and the place was so packed on both floors that there was no place to sit -- and barely room to stand. Their was a soccer match on (Arsenal thrashed Liverpool) and for a short amount of time I thought we had gotten it terribly wrong in translation and the NFL wasn't going to be on...
After the Arsenal game, the place pretty much cleared out. Magically, they chose to show the Bengals game. Or, for those who saw the game -- the Ladamien Tomlinson show. There were a number of Chargers fan there. I grabbed bacon cheeseburger (with sauce) and fries. Not stellar -- I still miss the Harry's mini burgers.
Random other thoughts
The first night we were here we went to a local place for dinner where the name essentially translated to "Spitoon". When we walked in, it looked like a number of the tables had these massive lava lamps sitting on them. Under closer inspection, they were clear pvc like tubes of beer with a tap on the bottom. They sold them in 5 Liter quantities. This same place was doing kareoke. I was in a bad European/American Idol sequence -- I don't watch the show, but I imagine I was in the part where they do the early auditions. Random folks singing off-key in English -- bad. Random folks singing off-key in random languages -- oddly, equally as bad.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Italy
Last weekend we went down to Italy. Why? Because we can...
Herve had scoped out Genoa as potentially a fun place to go. (See link on the left) It is about 4 hours south of Geneva and is the 2nd largest port in Europe (and the birthplace of Christopher Columbus). We took the tunnel through Mont Blanc (wow) and ended up in town with little difficulty.
On the way, Coby had downloaded Italian lessons from "World Nomads" so that we could learn some basic phrases. So we learned how to say "Hello" and "Thank You". Apparently you can download a variety of language courses from them for free. As the instructions progress, you learn more and more useful phrases which culminated with "Don't shoot! These aren't my drugs". Um. thanks.
We parked downtown and looked around for places where we wanted to be that night. I took a lot of pictures of the old architecture with narrow streets and beautiful detail work on the buildings which were easily older than our country.
We wandered into a little Italian restaurant to get pizza. Coby went exotic and got a four cheese pizza. I got mine with anchovies so that I wouldn't have to share... It was good.
We found out about a couple of clubs and then found a hotel. It turned out to be the same hotel that George Bush stayed at for the G8 summit. It was right on the harbor and seemed incredibly palatial after the Geneva walk-in closet. The odd thing was the bathroom (again). You walked into the room and it was entirely marble. Now this was a four star hotel -- as the hotels in Europe all have to publish their ratings on their signs. So the bathroom had the normal sink and toilet -- and a bidet, a shower and a rack to heat your towels. Okay, so nice. However, when you take a step back, you realize that there is not a division between any of it. So the shower did not have a curtain or walls. It essentially just drained into the drain in the middle of the room. (I found out later that this is common in the US in big houses and is called a "Rain Room"). I did think that it was kind of ironic that they gave us a soap labeled "Bath soap" because if I made this a bath, it was going to take a lot of water and som caulk around the door.
Being the manly men we are, we took naps that afternoon in lieu of dinner. I wandered next door to the aquarium and was entertained by a very active octopus. At the stingray petting area, a little girl wandered up to me and asked me if they bite. I said no, and complimented her on her English, asking her where she was from... California.
We then went to a club for Coby to roll the dice and try his luck meeting Italian women. Oddly, he had better luck talking up a Danish woman there on business as absolutely no other women there spoke English. We closed the place -- and got back to the hotel at a respectable 5 a.m.
The next morning we headed back after getting the requisite new country McDonald's for Coby. After 3 countries doing this -- amazingly it all tastes the same.
Herve had scoped out Genoa as potentially a fun place to go. (See link on the left) It is about 4 hours south of Geneva and is the 2nd largest port in Europe (and the birthplace of Christopher Columbus). We took the tunnel through Mont Blanc (wow) and ended up in town with little difficulty.
On the way, Coby had downloaded Italian lessons from "World Nomads" so that we could learn some basic phrases. So we learned how to say "Hello" and "Thank You". Apparently you can download a variety of language courses from them for free. As the instructions progress, you learn more and more useful phrases which culminated with "Don't shoot! These aren't my drugs". Um. thanks.
We parked downtown and looked around for places where we wanted to be that night. I took a lot of pictures of the old architecture with narrow streets and beautiful detail work on the buildings which were easily older than our country.
We wandered into a little Italian restaurant to get pizza. Coby went exotic and got a four cheese pizza. I got mine with anchovies so that I wouldn't have to share... It was good.
We found out about a couple of clubs and then found a hotel. It turned out to be the same hotel that George Bush stayed at for the G8 summit. It was right on the harbor and seemed incredibly palatial after the Geneva walk-in closet. The odd thing was the bathroom (again). You walked into the room and it was entirely marble. Now this was a four star hotel -- as the hotels in Europe all have to publish their ratings on their signs. So the bathroom had the normal sink and toilet -- and a bidet, a shower and a rack to heat your towels. Okay, so nice. However, when you take a step back, you realize that there is not a division between any of it. So the shower did not have a curtain or walls. It essentially just drained into the drain in the middle of the room. (I found out later that this is common in the US in big houses and is called a "Rain Room"). I did think that it was kind of ironic that they gave us a soap labeled "Bath soap" because if I made this a bath, it was going to take a lot of water and som caulk around the door.
Being the manly men we are, we took naps that afternoon in lieu of dinner. I wandered next door to the aquarium and was entertained by a very active octopus. At the stingray petting area, a little girl wandered up to me and asked me if they bite. I said no, and complimented her on her English, asking her where she was from... California.
We then went to a club for Coby to roll the dice and try his luck meeting Italian women. Oddly, he had better luck talking up a Danish woman there on business as absolutely no other women there spoke English. We closed the place -- and got back to the hotel at a respectable 5 a.m.
The next morning we headed back after getting the requisite new country McDonald's for Coby. After 3 countries doing this -- amazingly it all tastes the same.
People / Nightlife
The nightlife in Geneva is relatively tame.
Every night we have gone out to blow off a bit of steam. Friday night last week we went out with a Scottish guy here to a local pool hall to shoot a bit before heading over to an Irish pub for live music.
In Asia and South America, folks are pretty interested in talking to us. It was typically a bit rare for Americans to be in some of the places we had been, so the conversations ran more along the lines of "What are you doing here" and "How do you like it..."
In Europe, they have their fair share of Americans and we are nothing special. In talking to folks here "on the street", the fall into 1 of 2 categories: 1) Oh, American... or 2) Oh, American -- (insert anti-Bush politics here).
In the office, everyone is really nice. The folks on our team usually do their own thing for lunch or dinner - but are pretty good in the meetings. They are much more formal here, so I am working a nice little balance of getting what I need by having the correct manager in the room to reason out the requirements assuming I can't get what I want from the direct staff.
Tonight (Sunday) we are going out with a Scottish guy back to the Irish pub as they play the NFL games live. With the time change, the first game starts at 7 here. Knowing what this is going to be like -- I have already done all of the work for Monday morning as I figure I will be worthless until about 9.
The people in the office have also been very helpful in suggesting what to do on weekends. However, I did uncover a conspiracy between Herve and Coby to prevent anyone from talking to me about Mont Blanc -- which is just a few miles away and visible from the office window. Apparently, you can take a tram 2/3 of the way up to the top. They were hoping I wouldn't find out. I did -- but got vetoed until the spring thaw.
Every night we have gone out to blow off a bit of steam. Friday night last week we went out with a Scottish guy here to a local pool hall to shoot a bit before heading over to an Irish pub for live music.
In Asia and South America, folks are pretty interested in talking to us. It was typically a bit rare for Americans to be in some of the places we had been, so the conversations ran more along the lines of "What are you doing here" and "How do you like it..."
In Europe, they have their fair share of Americans and we are nothing special. In talking to folks here "on the street", the fall into 1 of 2 categories: 1) Oh, American... or 2) Oh, American -- (insert anti-Bush politics here).
In the office, everyone is really nice. The folks on our team usually do their own thing for lunch or dinner - but are pretty good in the meetings. They are much more formal here, so I am working a nice little balance of getting what I need by having the correct manager in the room to reason out the requirements assuming I can't get what I want from the direct staff.
Tonight (Sunday) we are going out with a Scottish guy back to the Irish pub as they play the NFL games live. With the time change, the first game starts at 7 here. Knowing what this is going to be like -- I have already done all of the work for Monday morning as I figure I will be worthless until about 9.
The people in the office have also been very helpful in suggesting what to do on weekends. However, I did uncover a conspiracy between Herve and Coby to prevent anyone from talking to me about Mont Blanc -- which is just a few miles away and visible from the office window. Apparently, you can take a tram 2/3 of the way up to the top. They were hoping I wouldn't find out. I did -- but got vetoed until the spring thaw.
Food
I am going to cheat a bit and blend some of the days together by topic...
The food here is amazing. We also argue whole heartedly against the concept that American portions are larger. I have gained weight on this trip. I know it -- but I can't stop eating. Everytime I go into the cafeteria and say that I am just going to get a salad, that is it and I am going to be good today -- I get completely distracted by the wall of tarts and desserts. The Swiss chefs are malicious and evil. ...but how can it be wrong if it tastes so right!?! (but I digress).
I have been able to guess quite well at what things are and I have only been surprised a couple of times. 1) I thought that I was getting a carrot thing and it turned out to be a winter squash thing. 2) I thought I was getting regular creme brulee and it was a nutmeg version.
Raclette
For example the sheer goodness of the food, one night we drove to a nearby town in France for Raclette. Raclette, for those of you who may not know (I had never heard of it) is about 1/8 of a big round of cheese (Raclette) that they set near a moveable heat lamp for 2 people to each adjust. As the cheese melts, you scrape it up/off and put it on potatoes, meats or bread.
So the waiter brings out this massive thing and a bottle of wine. He opens the wine and offers me the cork. I am thinking, "Buddy, I am about to eat 2-3 pounds of cheese -- a cork is the last thing I need. I might, however, need your corkscrew if you are looking to offer up a gift."
Hunting Season
We are also here during hunting season which means that we have choices of red deer, reindeer, wild boar and other cute cuddly animals that are quite tasty with bread and sides. I have not gotten to the wild boar, but there is a restaurant whose name translates to "The Carnivore" which we are targeting for this week.
The first day in the cafeteria I had venison stew. The first night out I had my first foie gras (goose liver) and venison steak. The next day for lunch I had a venison something or other... At this point, someone would expect to hear a nice little DEER God!
Prices
Fondue -- awesome. Raclette -- awesome. Having 12 choices for outstanding tarts -- awesome. Having to pay 20-25 USD for lunch. Ouch.
We finally realized how some of the extreme prices were occurring. For lunch, a 1/2 liter (20 oz) bottle of "Coke Light" is 4 Francs = $3.20. It would be about 2 dollars cheaper if I drank beer. I moved to water. Dinner is just an expectation to go middle of the road with the menu to pay about $25 to $30. I am REALLY glad that I am on an expense account
Ordering
I have tried very hard to only speak French when ordering. I usually get a decent distance into it before there is a bit of eye rolling and they switch to English. However, I was very proud to say that yesterday (Saturday) I made it through the whole process, no worries. It went something like this...
- Bonjour Monsieur (Hello sir.)
- Bonjour Monsieur, Deux, s'il vous plait. (Hello sir back. 2 please)
- Fumer ou non-fumer (Smoking or non)
- Fumer (Smoking for Coby)
- blah blah blah Order (something about are we ready to order)
- Oui, Raclette pour deux et une assiette a frites (Yes, Raclette for 2 and basket of fries)
- Oui, bon choice blah blah blah (okay, good choice and then something about what to drink)
- Deux l'eau (two waters)
- Avec gasse ou non (with gas or not)
- Avec, merci (bubbly thanks)
- Oui, monsieur (Yes sir)
...and then he delivered the food and told us in perfect English, "Careful, the plate is hot"
The food here is amazing. We also argue whole heartedly against the concept that American portions are larger. I have gained weight on this trip. I know it -- but I can't stop eating. Everytime I go into the cafeteria and say that I am just going to get a salad, that is it and I am going to be good today -- I get completely distracted by the wall of tarts and desserts. The Swiss chefs are malicious and evil. ...but how can it be wrong if it tastes so right!?! (but I digress).
I have been able to guess quite well at what things are and I have only been surprised a couple of times. 1) I thought that I was getting a carrot thing and it turned out to be a winter squash thing. 2) I thought I was getting regular creme brulee and it was a nutmeg version.
Raclette
For example the sheer goodness of the food, one night we drove to a nearby town in France for Raclette. Raclette, for those of you who may not know (I had never heard of it) is about 1/8 of a big round of cheese (Raclette) that they set near a moveable heat lamp for 2 people to each adjust. As the cheese melts, you scrape it up/off and put it on potatoes, meats or bread.
So the waiter brings out this massive thing and a bottle of wine. He opens the wine and offers me the cork. I am thinking, "Buddy, I am about to eat 2-3 pounds of cheese -- a cork is the last thing I need. I might, however, need your corkscrew if you are looking to offer up a gift."
Hunting Season
We are also here during hunting season which means that we have choices of red deer, reindeer, wild boar and other cute cuddly animals that are quite tasty with bread and sides. I have not gotten to the wild boar, but there is a restaurant whose name translates to "The Carnivore" which we are targeting for this week.
The first day in the cafeteria I had venison stew. The first night out I had my first foie gras (goose liver) and venison steak. The next day for lunch I had a venison something or other... At this point, someone would expect to hear a nice little DEER God!
Prices
Fondue -- awesome. Raclette -- awesome. Having 12 choices for outstanding tarts -- awesome. Having to pay 20-25 USD for lunch. Ouch.
We finally realized how some of the extreme prices were occurring. For lunch, a 1/2 liter (20 oz) bottle of "Coke Light" is 4 Francs = $3.20. It would be about 2 dollars cheaper if I drank beer. I moved to water. Dinner is just an expectation to go middle of the road with the menu to pay about $25 to $30. I am REALLY glad that I am on an expense account
Ordering
I have tried very hard to only speak French when ordering. I usually get a decent distance into it before there is a bit of eye rolling and they switch to English. However, I was very proud to say that yesterday (Saturday) I made it through the whole process, no worries. It went something like this...
- Bonjour Monsieur (Hello sir.)
- Bonjour Monsieur, Deux, s'il vous plait. (Hello sir back. 2 please)
- Fumer ou non-fumer (Smoking or non)
- Fumer (Smoking for Coby)
- blah blah blah Order (something about are we ready to order)
- Oui, Raclette pour deux et une assiette a frites (Yes, Raclette for 2 and basket of fries)
- Oui, bon choice blah blah blah (okay, good choice and then something about what to drink)
- Deux l'eau (two waters)
- Avec gasse ou non (with gas or not)
- Avec, merci (bubbly thanks)
- Oui, monsieur (Yes sir)
...and then he delivered the food and told us in perfect English, "Careful, the plate is hot"
Departure, Arrival and Apologies
All -- thanks for sending the kind little reminders that I was behind in keeping this up. It does make me feel good to know that folks are reading it. We have just had 12-16 hour days for this trip followed by lengthy dinners, and so sleep won out over creative writing.
Departure
Dad picked me up at home and dropped me off at the airport. I, of course, was there 2 hours prior to departure as they say you should. After check-in (line of 2) and security (line of 0) -- I made it to the gate with only 1:55 to spare. Phew.
I have only made the "medallion" status on 1 out of 4 airlines for this year -- so I am limited to 50 pounds per bag. I took more this time as laundry is so expensive, but limited myself to 1 bag to save room and in order to receive less antagonizing from my colleagues. Unfortunately, my bag was 53 pounds. The lady asked if there was anything that I could do to lessen my weight. Looking down at my potbelly, I thought "apparently not". I should also note that when I pack I really do focus on balance, weight, breakage, wrinking and space -- so the thought of opening up my suitcase and readjusting was not, as we would say here, brilliant! I also had carefully packed most of the extra electronic equipment to set up our conference room in the suitcase so that I had a very minimal amount in my carry on in order to fit better in the puddle jumper initial flight out of Lexington. Sigh. So I took my three sweaters out of the suitcase and rammed them ever so gently into my backpack. Weigh in now successful -- however, as expected, the backpack would not fit in the carryon...
We met up in Newark and Coby got us into the medallion lounge. We pigged out on cheese and crackers with little concept that we would be sick of the same in a short week's time.
Our flight left Newark on time and was relatively uneventful. I continued my stellar streak of sitting near a screaming baby. However, as I was going away for about 3 weeks, this method of birth control was a bit unnecessary. The movies were "Talledega Nights" and "Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest". I started/finished my book -- A Simple Plan.
Arrival
We arrived in Geneva the next morning and went through customs with no issue. (I had to ask for a stamp for the passport. ) We got our car and couldn't get out of the parking space as the dashboard and manual were in German -- and the parking break required a Ctrl-Alt-Delete combination to turn it off. 15 minutes and an exasperated parking attendant later, we were good to go.
The hotel is about 2 miles from the airport. We were not able to check in for a few more hours to shower -- so we went downtown for a bit. For the hotel, the rooms are very small but relatively efficient. The odd thing is that the bathroom door will actually swing inwards and lock off the toilet from the rest of the bathroom, so that there is access to the sink/shower while someone is dropping the kids off at the pool. However, if you are (a) unfamiliar with this approach and (2) very tired from not sleeping for about 36 hours -- it can be a bit confusing. Picture this... I walk into the room and set my bags down and go into the bathroom. I see only a sink and shower. Having seen bathrooms all over the world, I thought maybe this was a Swiss thing. I figured I was fine 1/2 the time, but looking between the sink and shower -- the other 1/2 of the time was going to be a bit messy.
Geneva downtown was a nice mix of modern and old. We drove/walked around -- but I really was in too much of an insomniacal stupor to remember much. We did mark the location of the McDonald's to come back for Coby.
Departure
Dad picked me up at home and dropped me off at the airport. I, of course, was there 2 hours prior to departure as they say you should. After check-in (line of 2) and security (line of 0) -- I made it to the gate with only 1:55 to spare. Phew.
I have only made the "medallion" status on 1 out of 4 airlines for this year -- so I am limited to 50 pounds per bag. I took more this time as laundry is so expensive, but limited myself to 1 bag to save room and in order to receive less antagonizing from my colleagues. Unfortunately, my bag was 53 pounds. The lady asked if there was anything that I could do to lessen my weight. Looking down at my potbelly, I thought "apparently not". I should also note that when I pack I really do focus on balance, weight, breakage, wrinking and space -- so the thought of opening up my suitcase and readjusting was not, as we would say here, brilliant! I also had carefully packed most of the extra electronic equipment to set up our conference room in the suitcase so that I had a very minimal amount in my carry on in order to fit better in the puddle jumper initial flight out of Lexington. Sigh. So I took my three sweaters out of the suitcase and rammed them ever so gently into my backpack. Weigh in now successful -- however, as expected, the backpack would not fit in the carryon...
We met up in Newark and Coby got us into the medallion lounge. We pigged out on cheese and crackers with little concept that we would be sick of the same in a short week's time.
Our flight left Newark on time and was relatively uneventful. I continued my stellar streak of sitting near a screaming baby. However, as I was going away for about 3 weeks, this method of birth control was a bit unnecessary. The movies were "Talledega Nights" and "Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest". I started/finished my book -- A Simple Plan.
Arrival
We arrived in Geneva the next morning and went through customs with no issue. (I had to ask for a stamp for the passport. ) We got our car and couldn't get out of the parking space as the dashboard and manual were in German -- and the parking break required a Ctrl-Alt-Delete combination to turn it off. 15 minutes and an exasperated parking attendant later, we were good to go.
The hotel is about 2 miles from the airport. We were not able to check in for a few more hours to shower -- so we went downtown for a bit. For the hotel, the rooms are very small but relatively efficient. The odd thing is that the bathroom door will actually swing inwards and lock off the toilet from the rest of the bathroom, so that there is access to the sink/shower while someone is dropping the kids off at the pool. However, if you are (a) unfamiliar with this approach and (2) very tired from not sleeping for about 36 hours -- it can be a bit confusing. Picture this... I walk into the room and set my bags down and go into the bathroom. I see only a sink and shower. Having seen bathrooms all over the world, I thought maybe this was a Swiss thing. I figured I was fine 1/2 the time, but looking between the sink and shower -- the other 1/2 of the time was going to be a bit messy.
Geneva downtown was a nice mix of modern and old. We drove/walked around -- but I really was in too much of an insomniacal stupor to remember much. We did mark the location of the McDonald's to come back for Coby.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Next Trip - Geneva
We leave Tuesday for Geneva. There are three of us this time -- Coby (my colleague that went with me to Colombia) and Herve (my colleague that went with me to Mexico). Interesting dynamics -- Coby and Herve have worked together for a few years and I am new to the team, but we all get along pretty well. Coby & Herve are big fans of gansta rap -- which included reminders sent to each other to bring MP3 players so that for our long weekend trips that we would have something to listen to in the car... So don't be surprised if I come back all "thug" or whatever the kids are calling it these days.
This is going to be a pretty different trip in that for all the other countries, the American dollar went a pretty long way. I understand that in Geneva, everything is expensive. So while I may not be able to buy anything personally, I figure that I will drown my sorrows in expense reimbursable fondue. Not too shabby.
More later on the trip I guess... From a planning perspective, it is actually warmer there than here. More sweaters, less shirts I assume. We have to go through Newark where my only real experience was arriving on a late flight connecting to Boston where all of the restaurants had closed and we were forced to bribe the guy to be able to eat the shrimp out of the display case. (We later arrived in Boston at 2 and they had closed the main road to our hotel for construction -- we eventually arrived at the hotel at 3 and had an 8a.m. presentation.)
This is going to be a pretty different trip in that for all the other countries, the American dollar went a pretty long way. I understand that in Geneva, everything is expensive. So while I may not be able to buy anything personally, I figure that I will drown my sorrows in expense reimbursable fondue. Not too shabby.
More later on the trip I guess... From a planning perspective, it is actually warmer there than here. More sweaters, less shirts I assume. We have to go through Newark where my only real experience was arriving on a late flight connecting to Boston where all of the restaurants had closed and we were forced to bribe the guy to be able to eat the shrimp out of the display case. (We later arrived in Boston at 2 and they had closed the main road to our hotel for construction -- we eventually arrived at the hotel at 3 and had an 8a.m. presentation.)
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Pictures
Nicole was gracious enough to add pictures to our Flickr page (I am not sure that I have the patience) -- but there are a few hundred pictures there if you want to see the sites. I may even eventually spend a month and get captions going so that you know where/what they are... ;-)
Link to the left.
Link to the left.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Farewell Party
Reneka, Tom, Michelle, Andrea, Bobby, Elena, Tim, Christi, Ryan, Andy, Jim, Jeremy, Beth, TJ, RJ, Sandhya, Nicole, Yash
Thank you for coming to see this guy (who isn't really going too far) off!
Andy, Praveen, Rick, Barb, Christi, Sandhya, Rachana, Muzammil, Joe, Doug H. (especially Doug H.), Ryan, Reneka, Yash, Angie, Sandy, Tom S., Tim, Jim, Tom P., Jeremy, Pam, Doug A., Christine, Craig, Michelle, RJ, TJ
Thank you for the kind word and awesome going away picture. This is by far the best gift I have ever received and will be hung proudly in my office.
Gene -- Thanks for footing what I think was a rather sizable bill. That was truly a class act -- and I only had water, I swear.
Tom, Michelle -- hey, you even brought pie. mmmmmm.... I love pie.
Friday night at McFadden's, the old crew sent me off to the new job. It was a perfect night -- never a single goodbye or "We will see you", it was just another Friday night happy hour with my good good friends. There was not a person there that I wouldn't have wanted to see -- and they even let me win one game of pool. Reneka & Nicole even ordered the good little cheesy eggrolls and let me have a couple. Tom with the blackberry pie. To quote Brad Pitt in "The Devil's Own" -- "You are a good man, Tom".
Thank you all. I am truly touched.
Thank you for coming to see this guy (who isn't really going too far) off!
Andy, Praveen, Rick, Barb, Christi, Sandhya, Rachana, Muzammil, Joe, Doug H. (especially Doug H.), Ryan, Reneka, Yash, Angie, Sandy, Tom S., Tim, Jim, Tom P., Jeremy, Pam, Doug A., Christine, Craig, Michelle, RJ, TJ
Thank you for the kind word and awesome going away picture. This is by far the best gift I have ever received and will be hung proudly in my office.
Gene -- Thanks for footing what I think was a rather sizable bill. That was truly a class act -- and I only had water, I swear.
Tom, Michelle -- hey, you even brought pie. mmmmmm.... I love pie.
Friday night at McFadden's, the old crew sent me off to the new job. It was a perfect night -- never a single goodbye or "We will see you", it was just another Friday night happy hour with my good good friends. There was not a person there that I wouldn't have wanted to see -- and they even let me win one game of pool. Reneka & Nicole even ordered the good little cheesy eggrolls and let me have a couple. Tom with the blackberry pie. To quote Brad Pitt in "The Devil's Own" -- "You are a good man, Tom".
Thank you all. I am truly touched.
Colombia: Triumphant Return
Thursday
This was our last day/night in country. We had planned all along for this to be pretty much an all night out on the town event where we would get just enough sleep to have a hard time getting up in the morning and potentially missing our flight.
Work wrapped up nicely. The system implementation was successful and our sponsors were out of the country, spread across the continent -- so we didn't have to worry too much about the niceties of things like verifying that everything worked through actual use. Mission accomplished.
For the evening, I still had to pack. Normally this would be no big deal, but I wanted to get through the added challenges of having 1) glass items, 2) large pieces of art work, and 3) I really didn't feel like it. The latter would prove to be the biggest challenge the next morning at 4:30 when we were to meet in the lobby around 5ish.
Since we had been so successful in the past with our taxi service -- and by successful we meant that we were 1) still alive, 2) not kidnapped, and 3) in the general area where we were supposed to be -- we decided to take it easy and simply go back to our local hang out, the Bogota Beer Company. This time it was kind of nice as when we came in (Note: my credit card did eventually work!) the wait staff all greeted us with handshakes (men) or the Latin cheek kiss thing (women). I felt like I was in Cheers. We talked until around midnight and left to get ready back at the hotel.
Friday
We get up really early and I am prety dehydrated and I am starting to get what would become a nice little sinus infection. I should mention now that I strongly recommend against flying with a sinus infection unless you enjoy the added excitement of wondering whether your head could actually explode.
The airport was interesting. First -- traveling with a Platinum airline member (Coby) rocks. The line for the normal folk was literally about 150 deep -- Platinum line 2. We get through that line and queue up for the immigration line. I don't mind this one so much as it means I get the little reward of a stamp in the passport. From this line we go through a very personal and intimate pat down and metal detection of the security line. We then go to our gate to wait until they make us leave the area, search/clear the room and then have us go back through security at the gate.
On the plane, we had to wait for a while as we were randomly selected to have our plane weighed. I will say that taking off in the middle of the mountains, the choice between ensuring our plane was of the proper weight or acting out the key scenes from "Alive" would always have me choosing the former. However, whenever I get a cold I start pouring in the fluids and there was not a bathroom between security checkpoints 3 and 4. The good news was that this took my mind off my head. I finally got up and stuck past the attendant and made it. Life is good.
We landed in Atlanta and Delta, realizing that my trip was going too smoothly -- decided to do emergency work on a runway and delayed my flight 3 hours. This after I made it through customs, Coby checked me into the Crown room and I left its warm free comfort to go to my gate. Sigh.
The flight home was uneventful minus the lightening storm and the most abrupt landing of my life. All is well -- and about 5 days later I was finally well.
This was our last day/night in country. We had planned all along for this to be pretty much an all night out on the town event where we would get just enough sleep to have a hard time getting up in the morning and potentially missing our flight.
Work wrapped up nicely. The system implementation was successful and our sponsors were out of the country, spread across the continent -- so we didn't have to worry too much about the niceties of things like verifying that everything worked through actual use. Mission accomplished.
For the evening, I still had to pack. Normally this would be no big deal, but I wanted to get through the added challenges of having 1) glass items, 2) large pieces of art work, and 3) I really didn't feel like it. The latter would prove to be the biggest challenge the next morning at 4:30 when we were to meet in the lobby around 5ish.
Since we had been so successful in the past with our taxi service -- and by successful we meant that we were 1) still alive, 2) not kidnapped, and 3) in the general area where we were supposed to be -- we decided to take it easy and simply go back to our local hang out, the Bogota Beer Company. This time it was kind of nice as when we came in (Note: my credit card did eventually work!) the wait staff all greeted us with handshakes (men) or the Latin cheek kiss thing (women). I felt like I was in Cheers. We talked until around midnight and left to get ready back at the hotel.
Friday
We get up really early and I am prety dehydrated and I am starting to get what would become a nice little sinus infection. I should mention now that I strongly recommend against flying with a sinus infection unless you enjoy the added excitement of wondering whether your head could actually explode.
The airport was interesting. First -- traveling with a Platinum airline member (Coby) rocks. The line for the normal folk was literally about 150 deep -- Platinum line 2. We get through that line and queue up for the immigration line. I don't mind this one so much as it means I get the little reward of a stamp in the passport. From this line we go through a very personal and intimate pat down and metal detection of the security line. We then go to our gate to wait until they make us leave the area, search/clear the room and then have us go back through security at the gate.
On the plane, we had to wait for a while as we were randomly selected to have our plane weighed. I will say that taking off in the middle of the mountains, the choice between ensuring our plane was of the proper weight or acting out the key scenes from "Alive" would always have me choosing the former. However, whenever I get a cold I start pouring in the fluids and there was not a bathroom between security checkpoints 3 and 4. The good news was that this took my mind off my head. I finally got up and stuck past the attendant and made it. Life is good.
We landed in Atlanta and Delta, realizing that my trip was going too smoothly -- decided to do emergency work on a runway and delayed my flight 3 hours. This after I made it through customs, Coby checked me into the Crown room and I left its warm free comfort to go to my gate. Sigh.
The flight home was uneventful minus the lightening storm and the most abrupt landing of my life. All is well -- and about 5 days later I was finally well.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Colombia -- Fool me once...
Wednesday (Night)
It was after 8 when we got out of work, so We decide to press our luck and go back to the Bogota Beer Company for dinner. As we approach the restaurant, the guard that had chased us down comes up to us smiling (Coby had given him a nice tip) and we laugh, shake hands, and say a few words to each other in a language that neither of us would understand.
We are accepted through the metal detection, receive friendly waves from the waitresses, and go to the bar as it is the only place to sit. At the bar, is one friendly guy that speaks great English (although oddly with an Eastern European Accent) and we get to talking about Colombia (same conversation, see earlier blog).
Oh -- dinner I order the club sandwhich and fries -- which was good, but they fry an egg into the bread.
I decide to mix up the conversation a bit and ask him if he ever gets much counterfeit money. He says, "Yes, actually earlier this week" and he goes on to relay the story. I told him, "Yeah -- that was me...". He looks in horror, apologizes and tells me if he had known it was me, he would have been okay with the money as he knew that we would have gotten it from a bank. (blah blah blah). We laugh about it -- no worries...
Then I go to pay for dinner with my credit card and it doesn't work.
It was after 8 when we got out of work, so We decide to press our luck and go back to the Bogota Beer Company for dinner. As we approach the restaurant, the guard that had chased us down comes up to us smiling (Coby had given him a nice tip) and we laugh, shake hands, and say a few words to each other in a language that neither of us would understand.
We are accepted through the metal detection, receive friendly waves from the waitresses, and go to the bar as it is the only place to sit. At the bar, is one friendly guy that speaks great English (although oddly with an Eastern European Accent) and we get to talking about Colombia (same conversation, see earlier blog).
Oh -- dinner I order the club sandwhich and fries -- which was good, but they fry an egg into the bread.
I decide to mix up the conversation a bit and ask him if he ever gets much counterfeit money. He says, "Yes, actually earlier this week" and he goes on to relay the story. I told him, "Yeah -- that was me...". He looks in horror, apologizes and tells me if he had known it was me, he would have been okay with the money as he knew that we would have gotten it from a bank. (blah blah blah). We laugh about it -- no worries...
Then I go to pay for dinner with my credit card and it doesn't work.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
My wife rocks
Today is Nicole's birthday. She is older than she would like, but she looks young enough that I still get the jealous stares... Life is good.
Let take a second and list a few reasons why my wife rocks... I am going to go with 11 since I understand Letterman's legal team is hard-core.
11. It is her birthday and I am in Colombia and she is cool with it.
10. I also am going to miss our anniversary and she understands
9. There is a chance I will miss Valentine's Day and she just describes the flowers that she likes
8. She went hiking with me in Montana for her vacation this year -- and that isn't her thing. She even enjoyed it.
7. She let's me travel
6. She is genuinely happy to talk/chat with me when I am available
5. She doesn't get grumpy if I can't talk for a couple of days
4. She doesn't ask for a lot of souvenirs or expect gifts -- just a bigger house
3. She still thinks about 1/4 of my jokes are funny
2. She has earned herself a great job
1. She puts up with me.
to quote Ricky Bobby... "Thank you God for my smokin' hot wife..."
Let take a second and list a few reasons why my wife rocks... I am going to go with 11 since I understand Letterman's legal team is hard-core.
11. It is her birthday and I am in Colombia and she is cool with it.
10. I also am going to miss our anniversary and she understands
9. There is a chance I will miss Valentine's Day and she just describes the flowers that she likes
8. She went hiking with me in Montana for her vacation this year -- and that isn't her thing. She even enjoyed it.
7. She let's me travel
6. She is genuinely happy to talk/chat with me when I am available
5. She doesn't get grumpy if I can't talk for a couple of days
4. She doesn't ask for a lot of souvenirs or expect gifts -- just a bigger house
3. She still thinks about 1/4 of my jokes are funny
2. She has earned herself a great job
1. She puts up with me.
to quote Ricky Bobby... "Thank you God for my smokin' hot wife..."
Colombia - Pink
Tuesday
Today was a good day. We had launched the system on Monday, but today we sent our first item all the way through the approvals. To quote the A-Team, "I love it when a plan comes together."
To celebrate, we went out for dinner in a new mall near the hotel. We wandered around looking at menus and we settled on a restaurant named "Pink". Coby went with the spaghetti and I chose the "Lomo" cut of steak because it came with "Risotti Pink" which I assumed was the risotto of the house. The dish came with the steak nicely laid out in the wine reduction gravy. It was beautiful, but easily overlooked by the shockingly pink risotto. I am not sure what makes pink -- I had a fear of cherry risotto or something from an unknown beef origin -- but I think it was just food coloring. It had a nice bite and the flavor of the cheese was subtle and nice. The plate also had a nice pear/cheese slice. Anyway -- I got dessert again which was some red berry strudel thing. It was also good.
We waddled back to the hotel and called it an early night.
Today was a good day. We had launched the system on Monday, but today we sent our first item all the way through the approvals. To quote the A-Team, "I love it when a plan comes together."
To celebrate, we went out for dinner in a new mall near the hotel. We wandered around looking at menus and we settled on a restaurant named "Pink". Coby went with the spaghetti and I chose the "Lomo" cut of steak because it came with "Risotti Pink" which I assumed was the risotto of the house. The dish came with the steak nicely laid out in the wine reduction gravy. It was beautiful, but easily overlooked by the shockingly pink risotto. I am not sure what makes pink -- I had a fear of cherry risotto or something from an unknown beef origin -- but I think it was just food coloring. It had a nice bite and the flavor of the cheese was subtle and nice. The plate also had a nice pear/cheese slice. Anyway -- I got dessert again which was some red berry strudel thing. It was also good.
We waddled back to the hotel and called it an early night.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Arrested Development
I have been told that it is annoying that when I want to punctuate the start of my sentence that I use the word "So". As in "So, you think I actually am concerned what you think..." or "So, why would you possibly notice something as trivial as that...." I only think of that because I was going to start this blog as you would expect....
Monday
SO, you are going to travel internationally and you need cash. AAA or other local banks don't give you a great exchange rate, so I get enough cash for the initial taxi and food from the airport currency exchange. Not a big deal. However, it is a big deal if the cash is counterfeit.
Fast forward a 1 1/2 weeks into the trip. We go back to the Bogota Beer Company (our fourth time) because they are the only place we have seen with a big screen television to watch the Monday Night Football game. We watch the beautiful event (Steelers lost) and pay for our dinner. (On a side note, I felt brave and ordered an item from the menu because it was the only thing where I didn't recognize a single ingredient in the description. It was thick ribs of a porkish origin.) Since it is towards the end of my trip, I pay in cash with a nice tip for the nice waitress (I didn't have small bills and was tired and didn't want to wait) and leave.
We are walking back the four or so blocks to our hotel when we hear someone shouting as us in Spanish. Here is my response. I ignore it because...
1) I don't like to be shouted at
2) I am walking on a dark street in a foreign street in a town known for kidnapping
3) I don't speak Spanish
4) I figure it isn't for me
5) Most importantly, I am really really tired and just want to go to bed.
I mentioned in an earlier blog that there is a lot of private security for the office -- well, this also carries over to the hotel and restaurants. There are at least 3 security guards at the restaurant that do the wand thing over you to get in. One of these guards (a pudgy one) was running towards us, huffing and puffing. He says something. We respond saying in Spanish that we don't speak Spanish. (I always have thought there is some good irony in that.) He speak more Spanish and somehow wants to follow us to the hotel. He is holding my 50,000 peso bill in his hand.
We get back to the hotel and he argues his way through security to the front desk. We follow along curiously -- but also because we now feel bad for the guy as he is still out of breath. It turns out that the restaurant thought that the bill was counterfeit. The hotel scans it through a checking machine thing, holds to the light, rubs it on white paper and tastes it... They think that it is real. They exchange it for another and my time as an international counterfeiter is over.
The best part is that I finally got to my room for a great night's sleep.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Colombia - I know a girl...
Saturday
Everyone had said that if you do anything in Bogota, you need to see the Gold Museum. It is the largest collection in the world of really old gold artifacts. It is set up very well -- but I must say that it is tough to go through if you cannot read any of the signs.
The day started with breakfast and then we had the hotel call for a cab again. They were very concerned both Friday night and today -- and took down our room numbers and cab numbers so that if our bodies were discovered, they could track down the perpetrator. (I assume).
Days of Thunder had been on one of the channels that was in English and all I could think of as we whipped in and out of traffic (he actually used his emergency brake a couple of times to stop suddenly so that he could switch lanes) all I could think of was "rubbing is racing". Thankfully, HR had finally gotten me all set up and Nicole is set with life insurance.
We went to the museum and wandered through the markets and streets. Our directions (and map) was not too much help as we could not find street signs. At one point we decided that we had gotten far enough away from the good path and that if we could make it back to "sketchy" it would be an improvement.
I bought some emeralds from a local guy pretty cheap, so I can't wait to get back to see if they are real. (I think they are, but then again my IT background did not include training in gemology.)
It also didn't help that at one point -- hypothetically -- we found a young woman that might or might not have been selling some movies which might or might not have led us down some alleys though storefronts, etc...
The one thing that was really cool was that there were a number of those guys (they all seemed to be guys) that would act like statues in different dress. There was a shepherd hanging out at the cathedral, a knight, and a jester. They were pretty cool.
When we finally decided that we gave up and should ask a guard -- we realized that we had made a big circle and were about 45 yards away from where we started at the museum. So, more confidently now, we wandered around the presidential residence (no pictures allowed) and other wonderful architecture. Some guards were there for decoration. The ones with automatic weapons and in constant communication with each other -- may have been serious.
After a nice lunch in a local hamburger place called "McDonald's" -- I had the McTasty combo -- we found a place that would sell soccer jerseys. I got one from the local team. We had the guy get us a taxi and we repeated the experience of the morning, just in reverse.
After our wonderful success with maps and directions, we decided to simply walk down the street to go back to the Bogota Beer Company which had a great outdoor patio. It is Valentine's day in Colombia so we had figured that all of the local restaurants would be packed.
We got a table and there was a nice couple next to us. I helped them take a picture of themselves and that started a couple hour conversation (see earlier blog). They had a 2 month old son and this was their first night out. It ended with invitations to their home for dinner. I am supposed to email them on Monday. Very nice folks...
So at this point, it is about 1ish so they leave. There is a new group of 5 couples that comes over and ask us to join their table and we have a great conversation (see earlier blog). They were a lot of fun -- so we closed the bar down. They finally kicked us out just after 3. They walked us back to our hotel and made promises to call us for lunch (they did not which was fine...)
Sunday
Started a bit slower today. We had breakfast (great omelette) and went to the local market where I bought some watercolors and verified that I got a good deal on the emeralds.
The goal was to get back in time for football, but unfortunately here is the literal order of sports preference:
1) Soccer (there were 6 different games on)
2) Baseball
3) Billiards
4) Volleyball
5) Golf
6) Tennis
57) NFL.
I bought the wireless service from the hotel so that I could work and see the scores (18 USD/24 hours). I wandered out at one point to get passion fruit sorbet and dinner from the grocery store.
On the sandwiches, let us just say that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. I saw (Pollo) and recognized that as chicken. Chicken is good. Chicken Salad however in a foreign country may turn out to be less than stellar. Stay tuned.
Anyway, I missed the Bengals but they are showing the Sunday night football game and I must say that the Spanish announcers are better for me than John Madden.
Everyone had said that if you do anything in Bogota, you need to see the Gold Museum. It is the largest collection in the world of really old gold artifacts. It is set up very well -- but I must say that it is tough to go through if you cannot read any of the signs.
The day started with breakfast and then we had the hotel call for a cab again. They were very concerned both Friday night and today -- and took down our room numbers and cab numbers so that if our bodies were discovered, they could track down the perpetrator. (I assume).
Days of Thunder had been on one of the channels that was in English and all I could think of as we whipped in and out of traffic (he actually used his emergency brake a couple of times to stop suddenly so that he could switch lanes) all I could think of was "rubbing is racing". Thankfully, HR had finally gotten me all set up and Nicole is set with life insurance.
We went to the museum and wandered through the markets and streets. Our directions (and map) was not too much help as we could not find street signs. At one point we decided that we had gotten far enough away from the good path and that if we could make it back to "sketchy" it would be an improvement.
I bought some emeralds from a local guy pretty cheap, so I can't wait to get back to see if they are real. (I think they are, but then again my IT background did not include training in gemology.)
It also didn't help that at one point -- hypothetically -- we found a young woman that might or might not have been selling some movies which might or might not have led us down some alleys though storefronts, etc...
The one thing that was really cool was that there were a number of those guys (they all seemed to be guys) that would act like statues in different dress. There was a shepherd hanging out at the cathedral, a knight, and a jester. They were pretty cool.
When we finally decided that we gave up and should ask a guard -- we realized that we had made a big circle and were about 45 yards away from where we started at the museum. So, more confidently now, we wandered around the presidential residence (no pictures allowed) and other wonderful architecture. Some guards were there for decoration. The ones with automatic weapons and in constant communication with each other -- may have been serious.
After a nice lunch in a local hamburger place called "McDonald's" -- I had the McTasty combo -- we found a place that would sell soccer jerseys. I got one from the local team. We had the guy get us a taxi and we repeated the experience of the morning, just in reverse.
After our wonderful success with maps and directions, we decided to simply walk down the street to go back to the Bogota Beer Company which had a great outdoor patio. It is Valentine's day in Colombia so we had figured that all of the local restaurants would be packed.
We got a table and there was a nice couple next to us. I helped them take a picture of themselves and that started a couple hour conversation (see earlier blog). They had a 2 month old son and this was their first night out. It ended with invitations to their home for dinner. I am supposed to email them on Monday. Very nice folks...
So at this point, it is about 1ish so they leave. There is a new group of 5 couples that comes over and ask us to join their table and we have a great conversation (see earlier blog). They were a lot of fun -- so we closed the bar down. They finally kicked us out just after 3. They walked us back to our hotel and made promises to call us for lunch (they did not which was fine...)
Sunday
Started a bit slower today. We had breakfast (great omelette) and went to the local market where I bought some watercolors and verified that I got a good deal on the emeralds.
The goal was to get back in time for football, but unfortunately here is the literal order of sports preference:
1) Soccer (there were 6 different games on)
2) Baseball
3) Billiards
4) Volleyball
5) Golf
6) Tennis
57) NFL.
I bought the wireless service from the hotel so that I could work and see the scores (18 USD/24 hours). I wandered out at one point to get passion fruit sorbet and dinner from the grocery store.
On the sandwiches, let us just say that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. I saw (Pollo) and recognized that as chicken. Chicken is good. Chicken Salad however in a foreign country may turn out to be less than stellar. Stay tuned.
Anyway, I missed the Bengals but they are showing the Sunday night football game and I must say that the Spanish announcers are better for me than John Madden.
Colombia - Working for the Weekend, Friday Edition
Friday Night
This is going to be an interesting gig. My compadre is single. As a single guy, he is always on the lookout, as anyone else in his place would be, for women of like mind. This is contrasted by me -- who 1) was never really good at it anyway and 2) haven't suited up for the wingman role in about 10+ years.
If Nicole is reading this -- I don't even notice that other women exist. (cough)
Based on recommendations from the office, hotel and anyone on the street that could "Habla Anglais" -- we head to the "T-Zone" for dinner/drinks/music/whatever. (Bogata uses zones for areas of similar use, i.e., the G-Zone is for Gourmet as in the best restaurants).
We wander down the streets (two streets that have a T intersection) to see what is what. Surprisingly, I do not blend him -- but wait, there is hope. We see a "Pub" which is British, so naturally there should be other leprachaun-looking folks to help me not stand out. (Not so). On recommendations from nutritionists everywhere, we go with the cheese fries for dinner. We stay here for a few hours for the scenery.
Next we head out to wander a little further. We see the requisite Hard Rock Cafe and so we go in primarily to use the bathroom, but to get the requisite souvenirs as well. We sit at the bar and the bartender speaks English very well so we decide to stay until two beyond inebriated local gents decide that they should strike up a conversation with us. 30 minutes and at least 8 introductions later (they kept forgetting that they had already told us their names) the bartender rescued us by 1) getting us to an outdoor table and 2) getting security to kick them out. His response was that he did not want us to have a bad experience in Colombia. We sit outside enjoying the weather when the next local decides to chat with us. We are still a little freaked out by the first guys, but we stay and talk for a while. They were really fun and interesting.
Everyone so far essentially has the same discussion with us... We really should practice to make this more interesting.
Topic 1 - Hello, introductions and why are you in Bogota
Topic 2 - What do you think of Bogota
Topic 3 - The women of Bogota are beautiful, no? (but you should go to Medellin)
Topic 4 - What do Americans think of Colombia?
Oddly -- by the end of the weekend we had that same exact conversation with every single person we talked with... Woman or man it didn't matter.
My opinions are pretty simple... Bogota is beautifully green with amazing mountains. The food is great, the people are great and I really enjoy the architecture. The women are beautiful, yet I am not looking. Americans believe what they see in movies - but I will go back and tell everyone what a great time I had.
We eventually leave and go to get a cab. Now the way this should work is that you do not accept a cab off the street. You also never should get in a cab with more than one person. I don't ask questions -- I just accept the rule.
So, we go to one of the army guys on the street and ask for help getting a cab. He waves down the next one, checks the credentials and we go on our way.
This is going to be an interesting gig. My compadre is single. As a single guy, he is always on the lookout, as anyone else in his place would be, for women of like mind. This is contrasted by me -- who 1) was never really good at it anyway and 2) haven't suited up for the wingman role in about 10+ years.
If Nicole is reading this -- I don't even notice that other women exist. (cough)
Based on recommendations from the office, hotel and anyone on the street that could "Habla Anglais" -- we head to the "T-Zone" for dinner/drinks/music/whatever. (Bogata uses zones for areas of similar use, i.e., the G-Zone is for Gourmet as in the best restaurants).
We wander down the streets (two streets that have a T intersection) to see what is what. Surprisingly, I do not blend him -- but wait, there is hope. We see a "Pub" which is British, so naturally there should be other leprachaun-looking folks to help me not stand out. (Not so). On recommendations from nutritionists everywhere, we go with the cheese fries for dinner. We stay here for a few hours for the scenery.
Next we head out to wander a little further. We see the requisite Hard Rock Cafe and so we go in primarily to use the bathroom, but to get the requisite souvenirs as well. We sit at the bar and the bartender speaks English very well so we decide to stay until two beyond inebriated local gents decide that they should strike up a conversation with us. 30 minutes and at least 8 introductions later (they kept forgetting that they had already told us their names) the bartender rescued us by 1) getting us to an outdoor table and 2) getting security to kick them out. His response was that he did not want us to have a bad experience in Colombia. We sit outside enjoying the weather when the next local decides to chat with us. We are still a little freaked out by the first guys, but we stay and talk for a while. They were really fun and interesting.
Everyone so far essentially has the same discussion with us... We really should practice to make this more interesting.
Topic 1 - Hello, introductions and why are you in Bogota
Topic 2 - What do you think of Bogota
Topic 3 - The women of Bogota are beautiful, no? (but you should go to Medellin)
Topic 4 - What do Americans think of Colombia?
Oddly -- by the end of the weekend we had that same exact conversation with every single person we talked with... Woman or man it didn't matter.
My opinions are pretty simple... Bogota is beautifully green with amazing mountains. The food is great, the people are great and I really enjoy the architecture. The women are beautiful, yet I am not looking. Americans believe what they see in movies - but I will go back and tell everyone what a great time I had.
We eventually leave and go to get a cab. Now the way this should work is that you do not accept a cab off the street. You also never should get in a cab with more than one person. I don't ask questions -- I just accept the rule.
So, we go to one of the army guys on the street and ask for help getting a cab. He waves down the next one, checks the credentials and we go on our way.
Colombia - Are you going to eat that?
Friday
Today the second in command, was taking us to lunch. The plan was to go to lunch late and then call it a day. We drove to a famous place outside of Bogota in a place named "Chia" for lunch.
The place was incredibly eclectic where the owner had made all sorts of things (art?) from scraps of metal. We ordered the the best empenadas that I had ever had. Then things got a little, as Coby would say, "Out of Control."
Coby, it is important to note, is very clear about what he will eat. The following did not make that list.
1) Corn Tortillas -- so far, so good.
2) The large intestine of a cow stuffed with blood, rice and spice. (actually really good.)
3) Something he wouldn't tell me until after I had eaten it.
Now let us step back and ponder for a moment the third item. From my China adventures, I was very familar with the "not telling" approach, and in all honesty, I think that it had served me very well. However, if the "large intestine of a cow stuffed with blood, rice and spice" made the "telling you" cut -- what could this possibly be?
It looked like a small noodle. Fried. Tasted only slightly chewy with a strong taste of liver. Okay, so I liked it. Now what is it? Well, I was disappointed to find out it was only small intestine. Now before anyone with a medical background explains to me what the small intestine is, does or the safety or foolhardiness of eating such -- enough time has passed that I really don't want to know.
We drove back through the beautiful countryside and returned to work. We were almost ready for the weekend. Almost.
Today the second in command, was taking us to lunch. The plan was to go to lunch late and then call it a day. We drove to a famous place outside of Bogota in a place named "Chia" for lunch.
The place was incredibly eclectic where the owner had made all sorts of things (art?) from scraps of metal. We ordered the the best empenadas that I had ever had. Then things got a little, as Coby would say, "Out of Control."
Coby, it is important to note, is very clear about what he will eat. The following did not make that list.
1) Corn Tortillas -- so far, so good.
2) The large intestine of a cow stuffed with blood, rice and spice. (actually really good.)
3) Something he wouldn't tell me until after I had eaten it.
Now let us step back and ponder for a moment the third item. From my China adventures, I was very familar with the "not telling" approach, and in all honesty, I think that it had served me very well. However, if the "large intestine of a cow stuffed with blood, rice and spice" made the "telling you" cut -- what could this possibly be?
It looked like a small noodle. Fried. Tasted only slightly chewy with a strong taste of liver. Okay, so I liked it. Now what is it? Well, I was disappointed to find out it was only small intestine. Now before anyone with a medical background explains to me what the small intestine is, does or the safety or foolhardiness of eating such -- enough time has passed that I really don't want to know.
We drove back through the beautiful countryside and returned to work. We were almost ready for the weekend. Almost.
Colombia -- Settling in
Thursday
Thursday we finally started getting more time with the folks that we needed. The day started early as I had a conference call with Europe, so I was one of the first folks in the office.
We had lunch at a restaurant in the mall. We thought at first that I had a steak done cowboy style -- but it turned out that the correct translation was that I had a horse steak. (It was good. Sorry Jayme.) For dessert I had Maracuya pie which was a wonderful tart citrus ice box pie. Not knowing what it was, we asked the waitress if we could see the fruit. She cut one open for us and let us try to original fruit. Still wonderful...
So I go to Babblefish to find out the translation fo Maracuya. If you translate "maracuya" from Spanish to English it translates very nicely to "maracuya". Helpful. So I go to the Wikipedia (English version). Maracuya only appears as a non-US flavor for Gatorade. Hmmm... So I google it -- and it translates in English to "Passion Fruit". So I had a passion fruit pie.
That has since gotten on my passion fruit kick... I bought some marmalade to bring home, I have had maracuya sorbet, etc.... I love it.
Also, I should say that all of the fruit here is wonderful. At 8600 feet, in Montana you are above the tree line. In Colombia, everything is green and beautiful. They are so close to the equator that everything grows here. Passion Fruit is one of the cheapest fruits. For breakfast in the morning (when I go), I have fresh squeezed orange juice and similarly papaya juice. I love this place.
Thursday was a long day for work -- we didn't leave until about 10. I didn't have as much to do, but my contractor needed to stay and I have a strong philosophy to never leave a man behind.
So, dinner was room service pizza which was an excellent reminder that for my next trip I was going to bring an ingredients dictionary.
Thursday we finally started getting more time with the folks that we needed. The day started early as I had a conference call with Europe, so I was one of the first folks in the office.
We had lunch at a restaurant in the mall. We thought at first that I had a steak done cowboy style -- but it turned out that the correct translation was that I had a horse steak. (It was good. Sorry Jayme.) For dessert I had Maracuya pie which was a wonderful tart citrus ice box pie. Not knowing what it was, we asked the waitress if we could see the fruit. She cut one open for us and let us try to original fruit. Still wonderful...
So I go to Babblefish to find out the translation fo Maracuya. If you translate "maracuya" from Spanish to English it translates very nicely to "maracuya". Helpful. So I go to the Wikipedia (English version). Maracuya only appears as a non-US flavor for Gatorade. Hmmm... So I google it -- and it translates in English to "Passion Fruit". So I had a passion fruit pie.
That has since gotten on my passion fruit kick... I bought some marmalade to bring home, I have had maracuya sorbet, etc.... I love it.
Also, I should say that all of the fruit here is wonderful. At 8600 feet, in Montana you are above the tree line. In Colombia, everything is green and beautiful. They are so close to the equator that everything grows here. Passion Fruit is one of the cheapest fruits. For breakfast in the morning (when I go), I have fresh squeezed orange juice and similarly papaya juice. I love this place.
Thursday was a long day for work -- we didn't leave until about 10. I didn't have as much to do, but my contractor needed to stay and I have a strong philosophy to never leave a man behind.
So, dinner was room service pizza which was an excellent reminder that for my next trip I was going to bring an ingredients dictionary.
Colombia - the country mouse goes to the city
Sunday
Sunday the flight left at 11:30 so I got to the airport around 9:30. Security took all of 5 minutes, so I sat at the restaurant and read while I waited on my coffee to cool to a temperature slightly less than the surface of the sun. The flight to Atlanta was uneventful and I met Coby to let me into the Crown Room so that I could watch my Bengals play with a big screen tv and free munchies.
In the airport, I exchanged money to the local currency. Remember that the Colombian peso is roughly 2,400 to 1 in our favor. So at the end of this transaction, I was a millionaire. Very nice. I carefully folded the stack into my now George Constanza wallet and happily strutted off looking down at all the poor peons that until recently were my financial peers.
The flight to Bogota was also uneventful. I learned a couple of tricks from the travel master: (1) Ask at the desk if there is an open row to be reassigned, and (2) sit in the middle seat so that no one else moves up with you... Works like a charm. The movie was one of those few experiences where it makes you appreciate life. Like how you just wasted two hours that you desperately want back...
We arrived and stood in line to get through Customs for about an hour. Outside the airport, there was a mass of people standing there offering taxi rides, etc… It felt good to see my name on a placard with my driver. I will say though that it was nothing like the commercials – it wasn’t a limousine and it wasn’t full of Bud Light. We checked into the hotel and then went out to dinner (10:30 local).
At dinner we looked at the menu and were amazed by the prices. The menu had a hamburger as 8.500. Now for those of you that travel, you probably see where this is going. For the rest of us, with my wallet containing over 1 million pesos, somewhere in the midst of my decision that when I bought the bar I would tear down the adjacent buildings to build a park – I remembered that they use a "." for a "," – so it wasn’t 0.35 cents but rather $3.54. So my hopes for Colombian domination were quickly dashed.
Monday – Wednesday
The office is in the heart of the financial district. Bogota has had trouble with crime and terrorism in the past, but I feel completely safe here. To get into my hotel on foot, you have to pass three security guards. To get into my hotel by car, you have to have the car searched by a guard with a bomb-sniffing dog. To get into the restaurant that is nearby, you have to pass a metal detector. They do not play.
However, what is odd is that after you go over the barriers, through the security checkpoing, badge in through 2 different doors to the office -- you still have to get a key from the receptionist to go to the bathroom.
We are a couple of blocks away from the office and we walk through an open mall. Over the past couple of days we have settled into a routine.
08:00 we call each other for a wake up
08:30 meet in the lobby
08:45 arrive at work
10:30 first smoke break (I remain simply a second-hand smoker)
13:00 lunch in the mall (more about the food later)
14:00 back to work
16:00 smoke break #4
19:00 leave work
20:00 dinner
When we leaave, we go through the grocery store to get the next day's morning breakfast (2 bottle of Diet Coke each). I have been experimenting with the local drinks and have settled on a no calorie Dasani water that is Jamaica flavored (taste likes Cranberries).
Sunday the flight left at 11:30 so I got to the airport around 9:30. Security took all of 5 minutes, so I sat at the restaurant and read while I waited on my coffee to cool to a temperature slightly less than the surface of the sun. The flight to Atlanta was uneventful and I met Coby to let me into the Crown Room so that I could watch my Bengals play with a big screen tv and free munchies.
In the airport, I exchanged money to the local currency. Remember that the Colombian peso is roughly 2,400 to 1 in our favor. So at the end of this transaction, I was a millionaire. Very nice. I carefully folded the stack into my now George Constanza wallet and happily strutted off looking down at all the poor peons that until recently were my financial peers.
The flight to Bogota was also uneventful. I learned a couple of tricks from the travel master: (1) Ask at the desk if there is an open row to be reassigned, and (2) sit in the middle seat so that no one else moves up with you... Works like a charm. The movie was one of those few experiences where it makes you appreciate life. Like how you just wasted two hours that you desperately want back...
We arrived and stood in line to get through Customs for about an hour. Outside the airport, there was a mass of people standing there offering taxi rides, etc… It felt good to see my name on a placard with my driver. I will say though that it was nothing like the commercials – it wasn’t a limousine and it wasn’t full of Bud Light. We checked into the hotel and then went out to dinner (10:30 local).
At dinner we looked at the menu and were amazed by the prices. The menu had a hamburger as 8.500. Now for those of you that travel, you probably see where this is going. For the rest of us, with my wallet containing over 1 million pesos, somewhere in the midst of my decision that when I bought the bar I would tear down the adjacent buildings to build a park – I remembered that they use a "." for a "," – so it wasn’t 0.35 cents but rather $3.54. So my hopes for Colombian domination were quickly dashed.
Monday – Wednesday
The office is in the heart of the financial district. Bogota has had trouble with crime and terrorism in the past, but I feel completely safe here. To get into my hotel on foot, you have to pass three security guards. To get into my hotel by car, you have to have the car searched by a guard with a bomb-sniffing dog. To get into the restaurant that is nearby, you have to pass a metal detector. They do not play.
However, what is odd is that after you go over the barriers, through the security checkpoing, badge in through 2 different doors to the office -- you still have to get a key from the receptionist to go to the bathroom.
We are a couple of blocks away from the office and we walk through an open mall. Over the past couple of days we have settled into a routine.
08:00 we call each other for a wake up
08:30 meet in the lobby
08:45 arrive at work
10:30 first smoke break (I remain simply a second-hand smoker)
13:00 lunch in the mall (more about the food later)
14:00 back to work
16:00 smoke break #4
19:00 leave work
20:00 dinner
When we leaave, we go through the grocery store to get the next day's morning breakfast (2 bottle of Diet Coke each). I have been experimenting with the local drinks and have settled on a no calorie Dasani water that is Jamaica flavored (taste likes Cranberries).
Last Day / First Day
September 1 was my last day with my job. I went to Cincinnati and said a few goodbyes. It was a good day...
Several folks were too busy to really talk. I went to lunch with a former manager (and friend) and my replacement (and friend), and we had lunch like it was any other day. I left work and went for dinner with two good friends Tom & Michelle and they bought it very generously.
There is a going away "roast" for me on Friday the 29th. So maybe I won't have as many kind things to say after that... ;-)
February 10, 1997 to September 1, 2006.
My new job started on Monday the 5th. A new beginning.
Several folks were too busy to really talk. I went to lunch with a former manager (and friend) and my replacement (and friend), and we had lunch like it was any other day. I left work and went for dinner with two good friends Tom & Michelle and they bought it very generously.
There is a going away "roast" for me on Friday the 29th. So maybe I won't have as many kind things to say after that... ;-)
February 10, 1997 to September 1, 2006.
My new job started on Monday the 5th. A new beginning.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Glacier Trip - Part 4b: Guy Trip and a Ryan
Saturday
We had the best intentions for an early start the next morning. Ryan, who knows me like a brother, was chuckling that I was not stressed out by the timeliness of the trip. Hey – it is vacation and everything is beautiful so why rush anything. That, and the fact that for some reason I was the slow guy for pretty much the rest of the trip.
We eat another wonderful massive breakfast and head over to the Ranger Station to get our campsite reservations. The guys begged me to say that they had all already watched the video. In a moment of significant peer pressure and severe weakness, I conceded. It hurts.
I planned out a trip back to the Belly River area where I had been every year so far – but since we had a limited time I wanted to give these guys the "Greatest Hits" tour. I was hoping to stay the night at Cosley lake (8.5 mile hike), but it was completely booked – which makes three years in a row that I could not stay there.
We had the best intentions for an early start the next morning. Ryan, who knows me like a brother, was chuckling that I was not stressed out by the timeliness of the trip. Hey – it is vacation and everything is beautiful so why rush anything. That, and the fact that for some reason I was the slow guy for pretty much the rest of the trip.
We eat another wonderful massive breakfast and head over to the Ranger Station to get our campsite reservations. The guys begged me to say that they had all already watched the video. In a moment of significant peer pressure and severe weakness, I conceded. It hurts.
I planned out a trip back to the Belly River area where I had been every year so far – but since we had a limited time I wanted to give these guys the "Greatest Hits" tour. I was hoping to stay the night at Cosley lake (8.5 mile hike), but it was completely booked – which makes three years in a row that I could not stay there.
- Year 1 – Closed because of a juvenile grizzly bear frequenting the area
- Year 2 – Closed because a horse had killed another horse and so the owner had blown the dead one up with a stick of dynamite. Apparently, if a horse dies out on the trail, the carcass is too large and a bear would hang out there and eat. If they blow it up, then the smaller animals would carry the pieces away. However, this was a "blow up" gone bad and the bears were enjoying the buffet.
- Year 3 – Fully booked.
We booked the trip to Glen Lake and then Elizabeth Lake. We would enter at the Canadian border and then my idea was that I would hike the 10.5 miles (800ft climb) back to the car and pick them up – because I was sending them out through Ptarmigan tunnel which is a 10 mile hike but 2500ft up and 2500ft back down. I figured that would teach them to hike faster than me…I had done that hike before I would simply describe it as "spectacularly brutal".
We headed out after filling up on water and got on the trail around noon. We ran into the Ranger around mile 3. He was on his horse (and was leading two others) on his way to pick up his girlfriend. We talked a bit and he told us to stop by his cabin and rest in the shade. We did – and Mike took probably my favorite picture of the trip along his corral. Looking in his window, he had a fish thawing on the counter and a couple bottles of wine open – with candles ready. If this cabin starts a rockin’… An additional note, Tim rated his outhouse the best of the trip. Apparently, there was a nice breeze that blew from underneath that Tim found pleasant after a long hike.
The cabin is 6.2 miles into the trip. We left to have lunch another 1.5 miles away at Gros Ventre falls. My friends from last year will remember that stop as where I forced them to march with limited breaks because we were running so far behind. (They actually still speak to me). The falls were nice, although you can tell that the water is down from the last couple of years. We hiked the last 3 miles from there to camp and my friends got to fishing.
Now it should also be noted that on almost every trip I have taken butter and foil – but no one with me has ever caught a fish. That streak was maintained this evening. Fish Count = 0.
Tim stopped reading his book "Night of the Grizzlies" because he finally got scared. He had left his book "Spectacular Plane Crashes" back in the car so he would have to read that on the flight home.
Sunday
We took the shorter hike with the stream crossing to Elizabeth Lake. The first year, the water was well up my thigh, but this year it was around my knees (although still shockingly cold). We stopped at Dawn Mist falls and then headed over to camp.
We picked a camp because there was a lure there attached to a tree. The guys went out to fish with the lure and it turned out to be the charm. They caught more fish that I could count – but kept 9 to eat. The logic was two apiece, but the 9th was so big that they had to keep it. I guess there is a rule. They had brought oil and spices to cook with – but with my doubts about the fish (in Grizzly country) I had not really brought the right thing to cook it in. We used my aluminum heat shield on the stove – until it melted through after fish #4. We used a rock as the serving dish and picked the meat out with our fingers. The fish was the best of my life. Ryan – I am sorry that I doubted you.
Again, paranoid about the smell – I wouldn’t let anyone sleep in the clothes they wore for that experience. There was some push-back, but with the slightly crazed look I had in my eyes, everyone conceded.
This was also a bit of a switch in sleeping. Mike and I shared a tent – but the campsite was at a slight slant, so Mike did not want to sleep "down hill" so rather than sleeping "head to toe" as I normally encourage, his head was up on my side of the tent. You see, head to toe is great. If only one head is at the end of a tent, (1) you can toss your stuff around., (2) you don’t smell each others breath, and (3) you don’t wake up face to face and scream in the morning because you don’t have your bearings about you and you think you picked up a really really ugly chick from a bar. This is also good for a reason that Mike was soon to discover – because in the middle of the night, with your hat pulled down over your ears and the sleeping bag tightly wrapped around your head – you still cannot block out the volume of my snoring from 12 inches away. Mike’s quote of the trip was "Nicole is a saint".
Monday
We get up the next morning, pack up and head out. Tim generously comes with me and Mike/Ryan head over the river and through the woods to Swift Current Motor Lodge they go. We make it out about (Tim 30 min. earlier) and drive the hour to get to where Mike/Ryan would come out of the woods. They had been there about 10 minutes and we stretched out on the porch letting their feet dry. I asked if it was a good hike and they said it was – and they had seen bears at the end of it.
We paid for showers at the camp site – but this was more of a place for car campers so no towels or soap was provided. So, I bought a bar of Irish Spring and we cut it into four pieces. For Towels, I bought a roll of Bounty that we split. Soon, as clean as a whistle, we headed out to Two Sisters for lunch and PIE. Everyone was full but I required that we order at least one piece – I picked the blueberry peach, which was not a great combination, but it was still pie.
We headed on to our next challenge. Tim’s goal was to see bear. Mission Accomplished. Ryan’s goal was to get away into the woods far from email. Mission Accomplished. Matt’s goal was to set up a great trip. Mission Accomplished. Mike's goal? Make it out of the woods in time to get to a sports bar to watch the Bengals’ pre-season game. Mission soon to be accomplished.
We headed into Whitefish which was an awesome little town and found what turned out to be the local blue collar hang out. Which was also full of Green Bay fans (who the Bengals beat like a drum). No fights but the locals got even because the greasy food we ate made the game of rock/scissors/paper for the bathrooms a little more aggressive.
Tuesday
I got up around 4:30 to take Ryan to the airport and came back for the guys. Ryan (and then Nicole) had coached through getting an earlier flight and so we all then could fly out around the same time. The security at Kalispell seemed a little lax – so Mike dared me to see if I could run through it. He even offered to yell a long war whoop as I ran through the metal detector. My blister on my foot was bothering me, so I passed.
Mike also had access to the Crown Room at the airport in Salt Lake – which is awesome. We arrived in Cincinnati, Nicole grabbed us at the door. We gave Mike a quick ride home. Trip Complete.
Glacier Trip - Part 4a: Guy Trip
Tuesday
We drive the 1 1/2 hours back from the airport for Nicole and to pick up Mike. There is some debate about the choice of location for that night -- but it isn't like the scenery was horrible to view... Mike arrives with no luggage, but it turns out his luggage beat him here... All is well... We are pumped about our next day.
Wednesday
The next morning after the wonderful Glacier breakfast buffet, Tim takes the long and winding road back to the airport (and back) to drop Christie off. Our goal is to get a route with the ranger better than my original plan. With Ryan coming now on Friday, we have broken the trip into two three-day trips.
Around noon, I go wandering over to the Ranger Station (no car) but it is closed. Tim gets back about the same time that I do, so we go back as I thought I saw an official looking vehicle drive up. The truck was driven by what turned out to be a local Ski Legend who works doing trail maintenance in the summer. He takes us down to the closest Ranger Station at Two Medicine.
Having skipped the Two Medicine trip last year, I scheduled us to go to No Name Lake and then on to Upper Two Medicine Lake. None of the hiking was going to be really hard, we were going to cover about 20 miles and only about 800 feet of elevation gain.
I was a little concerned that Tim and Mike did not take the safety video as seriously as I would have liked. This was to be a scary trend that would cause me great stress and agony. You must understand that when you hike in Grizzly country that you have to be very careful. They eat you. I, being ever so slightly risk adverse, make sure that anything with odor is carefully hung 200 yards away from our tents. The next few days would be an exercise in patience -- yes, we must hang the toothpaste -- yes, we that Powerbar wrapper has to be hung. As well, as we were comfortably about to fall asleep in our sleeping bags, I hear Tim from the next tent ask "Does anyone want any of these potato chips?" Mike responds "No, I am too stuffed from this can of Mackerel -- I can't eat it all so I will just leave it out here for later." I sob myself to sleep.
Thursday
The next morning we climb up to the glacier nearby that was too difficult to reach the evening before in our sandals. The glacier is inside a huge bowl of rocks that have been pushed out over time to build a 50-60 ft. wall. Mike and Tim play a game of throwing small boulders back into the bowl, trying to knock over piles of rocks. We decide that the area has now been primarily shaped by the ice age and the Tim/Mike/Matt trip of 2006.
Oh
Fish Count -- 0
Bear Count -- 7
Animals Mike has seen -- a crow, 5 squirrels, and a duck
We pack up and head on down to Upper Two Medicine Lake. It is a short hike today so that there is plenty of time to fish. We hear on the trail that there is a Moose (from Americans, so it didn't count) at the campsite so we hurry on.
The tents were hot last night, so Tim leaves his rainfly off so that it would guarantee some rain. 11 hours and a damp Tim later, the rain stops.
Friday
Earlier, we had run into two guys from Miami that were pretty much newbies when it comes to backpacking. Now I will say that when I started, I read a bunch of books but really did learn a lot from logic and experience. These guys -- not so much. First -- no rain gear. That would get them voted out of the tribe immediately. Second -- all cotton. In my humble opinion, unless it is a flannel sheet -- cotton is the devil. It gets wet and doesn't insulate and won't dry and... sorry I am getting too worked up... ANYWAY, these guys were cold, wet and almost hypothermic. We gently coached them to skip the rest of the trip and get out of the woods. They did.
We hiked out of the woods and Mike jogged to get the car. We drove the 1/2 hour back to East Glacier (with the windows completely rolled down) to go to the perfect combination of a Laundry and Shower store thing. For 1.50/pound they would do our laundry, which we thought was more than worth not having to touch our underwear again. For about $5 or so -- we got 8.5 minutes of hot shower. There were only two showers available, so I lost rock/paper/scissors and got to go third.
I then drive Mike/Tim back 1 1/2 hours to the Many Glacier Lodge and drop them off at the bar. I head the 2 hours back to the airport (grabbing our clean laundry on the way) to pick up Ryan (I was 1 1/2 hours late) and we meet the guys back at the lodge.
Fish Count -- 0
Bear Count -- 11 (Grizzly and Black Bear repeats)
We drive the 1 1/2 hours back from the airport for Nicole and to pick up Mike. There is some debate about the choice of location for that night -- but it isn't like the scenery was horrible to view... Mike arrives with no luggage, but it turns out his luggage beat him here... All is well... We are pumped about our next day.
Wednesday
The next morning after the wonderful Glacier breakfast buffet, Tim takes the long and winding road back to the airport (and back) to drop Christie off. Our goal is to get a route with the ranger better than my original plan. With Ryan coming now on Friday, we have broken the trip into two three-day trips.
Around noon, I go wandering over to the Ranger Station (no car) but it is closed. Tim gets back about the same time that I do, so we go back as I thought I saw an official looking vehicle drive up. The truck was driven by what turned out to be a local Ski Legend who works doing trail maintenance in the summer. He takes us down to the closest Ranger Station at Two Medicine.
Having skipped the Two Medicine trip last year, I scheduled us to go to No Name Lake and then on to Upper Two Medicine Lake. None of the hiking was going to be really hard, we were going to cover about 20 miles and only about 800 feet of elevation gain.
I was a little concerned that Tim and Mike did not take the safety video as seriously as I would have liked. This was to be a scary trend that would cause me great stress and agony. You must understand that when you hike in Grizzly country that you have to be very careful. They eat you. I, being ever so slightly risk adverse, make sure that anything with odor is carefully hung 200 yards away from our tents. The next few days would be an exercise in patience -- yes, we must hang the toothpaste -- yes, we that Powerbar wrapper has to be hung. As well, as we were comfortably about to fall asleep in our sleeping bags, I hear Tim from the next tent ask "Does anyone want any of these potato chips?" Mike responds "No, I am too stuffed from this can of Mackerel -- I can't eat it all so I will just leave it out here for later." I sob myself to sleep.
Thursday
The next morning we climb up to the glacier nearby that was too difficult to reach the evening before in our sandals. The glacier is inside a huge bowl of rocks that have been pushed out over time to build a 50-60 ft. wall. Mike and Tim play a game of throwing small boulders back into the bowl, trying to knock over piles of rocks. We decide that the area has now been primarily shaped by the ice age and the Tim/Mike/Matt trip of 2006.
Oh
Fish Count -- 0
Bear Count -- 7
Animals Mike has seen -- a crow, 5 squirrels, and a duck
We pack up and head on down to Upper Two Medicine Lake. It is a short hike today so that there is plenty of time to fish. We hear on the trail that there is a Moose (from Americans, so it didn't count) at the campsite so we hurry on.
The tents were hot last night, so Tim leaves his rainfly off so that it would guarantee some rain. 11 hours and a damp Tim later, the rain stops.
Friday
Earlier, we had run into two guys from Miami that were pretty much newbies when it comes to backpacking. Now I will say that when I started, I read a bunch of books but really did learn a lot from logic and experience. These guys -- not so much. First -- no rain gear. That would get them voted out of the tribe immediately. Second -- all cotton. In my humble opinion, unless it is a flannel sheet -- cotton is the devil. It gets wet and doesn't insulate and won't dry and... sorry I am getting too worked up... ANYWAY, these guys were cold, wet and almost hypothermic. We gently coached them to skip the rest of the trip and get out of the woods. They did.
We hiked out of the woods and Mike jogged to get the car. We drove the 1/2 hour back to East Glacier (with the windows completely rolled down) to go to the perfect combination of a Laundry and Shower store thing. For 1.50/pound they would do our laundry, which we thought was more than worth not having to touch our underwear again. For about $5 or so -- we got 8.5 minutes of hot shower. There were only two showers available, so I lost rock/paper/scissors and got to go third.
I then drive Mike/Tim back 1 1/2 hours to the Many Glacier Lodge and drop them off at the bar. I head the 2 hours back to the airport (grabbing our clean laundry on the way) to pick up Ryan (I was 1 1/2 hours late) and we meet the guys back at the lodge.
Fish Count -- 0
Bear Count -- 11 (Grizzly and Black Bear repeats)
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Glacier Trip - Part 3: Vacation with the Mrs. (and Tim and Christie)
Saturday
Our new flight leaves very early the next morning. We arrive in Kalispell at 1:15 which essentially makes us lose a day in the park. However we aren't upset at all until we hear about all that we missed with the Super 8.
Tim & Christie pick us up and we head to the park. We stop at Lake McDonald Lodge for some pictures and then head through the middle of the park on the "Going to the Sun" road to the East Glacier Lodge. The views are spectacular.
Tim's goal was to see a bear and had been a little disillusioned by a kid working at the Kalispell outfitter that said "I have lived here all my life and have never seen a bear." So it was nice that on the road across the park we saw a mother black bear and two cubs. Bear count = 3.
Sunday (My birthday if you want to get me something. On my wish list there is still a Rolex and a Ferrari, surprisingly enough.)
We went into Canada to see the Prince William Lodge and for a hike to Lower Bertha Falls. The Lodge had availability, but at $250 USD/night we were happy to stay in the US.
The hike was long and with good rolling hills that definitely trended upward. The falls were nice at the top -- we tagged the rock and headed back down. Unfortunately, this "easy" hike caused the group to stop trusting me and requiring a book check for all future hikes.
We had lunch in a little cafe while I tried to work on my sunburn. We then headed back through the incredibly polite US Customs (really, it was -- although there was some questions about why Christie was with Tim).
On the drive back, we saw a grizzly mom with two cubs and a juvenile black bear. Bear count is now 7.
Dinner was at the lodge. The place is run by temporary help mostly from Eastern Europe. Tim and I had a little side game going trying to get the Russian staff to say "Moose and Squirrel". He kicked my butt.
The other thing that was Tim with his restaurant background was constantly asking "How do you prepare this..." or "How do you prepare that..." Yet when asking about the Elk, he asked the waitress "Elk, how do you pronounce that?" She gave us a very confused look and carefully said "Eeeellllllkkk". Nicole and Christie were on the floor.
Monday
Today we went to the center of the park for the requisite Hidden Lake trail. It is a very steep hike, but mostly on board walkways. We were struggling at one point, only to look over and see a guy that had to be 120 years old with an oxygen mask. Needless to say, we sucked it up and hiked on. The great thing about this hike is that there is so much wildlife -- no moose, but a lot of squirrel.... ...and moutain goats, and big horn sheep. The view is spectacular and unlike anything else in the park.
I made everyone eat at Two Sisters and then follow it up with pie at the Park City Cafe (Pies for Strength!). We then went on to Apikuni (Trick) falls and to the Two Medicine area. We finished with day with a good dinner and got Nicole ready to fly out on Tuesday...
Tuesday
Ryan is out. I call Mike and he says Ryan is in. We verify on the way to the airport and we have to unpack Nicole's suitcase to get the tent and other things for Ryan out. We take a casual day and come back to pick up Mike late that night.
Our new flight leaves very early the next morning. We arrive in Kalispell at 1:15 which essentially makes us lose a day in the park. However we aren't upset at all until we hear about all that we missed with the Super 8.
Tim & Christie pick us up and we head to the park. We stop at Lake McDonald Lodge for some pictures and then head through the middle of the park on the "Going to the Sun" road to the East Glacier Lodge. The views are spectacular.
Tim's goal was to see a bear and had been a little disillusioned by a kid working at the Kalispell outfitter that said "I have lived here all my life and have never seen a bear." So it was nice that on the road across the park we saw a mother black bear and two cubs. Bear count = 3.
Sunday (My birthday if you want to get me something. On my wish list there is still a Rolex and a Ferrari, surprisingly enough.)
We went into Canada to see the Prince William Lodge and for a hike to Lower Bertha Falls. The Lodge had availability, but at $250 USD/night we were happy to stay in the US.
The hike was long and with good rolling hills that definitely trended upward. The falls were nice at the top -- we tagged the rock and headed back down. Unfortunately, this "easy" hike caused the group to stop trusting me and requiring a book check for all future hikes.
We had lunch in a little cafe while I tried to work on my sunburn. We then headed back through the incredibly polite US Customs (really, it was -- although there was some questions about why Christie was with Tim).
On the drive back, we saw a grizzly mom with two cubs and a juvenile black bear. Bear count is now 7.
Dinner was at the lodge. The place is run by temporary help mostly from Eastern Europe. Tim and I had a little side game going trying to get the Russian staff to say "Moose and Squirrel". He kicked my butt.
The other thing that was Tim with his restaurant background was constantly asking "How do you prepare this..." or "How do you prepare that..." Yet when asking about the Elk, he asked the waitress "Elk, how do you pronounce that?" She gave us a very confused look and carefully said "Eeeellllllkkk". Nicole and Christie were on the floor.
Monday
Today we went to the center of the park for the requisite Hidden Lake trail. It is a very steep hike, but mostly on board walkways. We were struggling at one point, only to look over and see a guy that had to be 120 years old with an oxygen mask. Needless to say, we sucked it up and hiked on. The great thing about this hike is that there is so much wildlife -- no moose, but a lot of squirrel.... ...and moutain goats, and big horn sheep. The view is spectacular and unlike anything else in the park.
I made everyone eat at Two Sisters and then follow it up with pie at the Park City Cafe (Pies for Strength!). We then went on to Apikuni (Trick) falls and to the Two Medicine area. We finished with day with a good dinner and got Nicole ready to fly out on Tuesday...
Tuesday
Ryan is out. I call Mike and he says Ryan is in. We verify on the way to the airport and we have to unpack Nicole's suitcase to get the tent and other things for Ryan out. We take a casual day and come back to pick up Mike late that night.
Glacier Trip - Part 2: Revenge of Delta
I wanted Nicole to come along as well -- 1) because she is nice to have around, 2) if she ends up liking it, I get to come more. We are to fly out of Cincinnati (cheaper oddly) on Friday night. Tim brings along his wife as well, with Nicole and Christie flying back prior to the guy trip.
Here are a couple of definitions:
Couple Trip -- short trip involving good food and lodging
Guy Trip -- smelly trips involving dehydrated food and tents
Friday, 4:00 -- We arrive in Cincinnati to have air blasted up our clothes to check for bomb air particles. We pass. The X-ray off my bags look interesting however as I have a row of empty canisters (Nalgene bottles) sitting next to some sort of fuel injected device (camping stove). After a very pleasant conversation, we move on.
Friday. 6:00 -- Ryan sees Tim & Christie and says "See you in a week". He is in.
Friday, 6:05 -- Ryan calls me. He is out. I make plans to sent the now unneeded tent back with Nicole.
Friday, 6:10 -- flight delayed to 6:45. No worries, we have a very long layover in Minneapolis.
Friday, 6:45 -- flight delayed to 7:30. Some nervousness, frustration setting in
Friday, 7:30 -- we get on the plane, but the air conditioner is out. They fix it in 30 minutes, but at this point the pilots have been on duty too long and can no longer fly. Since they didn't call anyone until it was too late, we lose another 1/2 hour for them to get another team here.
Friday, 9:25 -- We miss our connection in Minneapolis and Delta puts us up in a very nice Holiday Inn Select.
Meanwhile in Montana:
After paging Nicole in Minneapolis (apparently there was no concern for me -- after all, she is the cute one), Tim & Christie arrive in Kalispell and check their voicemail to find out what is going on since we were supposed to be on the same flight from Minnesota. I leave directions for the car rental and the reserved hotel.
Note to Kalispell vacationers... Here is some information that my AAA book left out (on accident, I am sure). The "Airport" Super 8 has a few nice features:
1) You don't have to worry about the noise of airplanes as it is nowhere near the airport.
2) If you need a drink, there is a conveniently located biker bar not 30 feet away from your first floor window
3) The rooms will make you appreciate every other place you will stay for the rest of the trip (including the tent in the rain).
4) You will be safe as the police protection seemed to rotate in and out throughout the night.
5) It is well ventilated as the smokers from the next door non-smoking room is easily blown over directly to your non-smoking room.
However, the attendant was very kind in not charging me for my room through the great negotiations of Tim.
I am just sorry that I missed it...
Here are a couple of definitions:
Couple Trip -- short trip involving good food and lodging
Guy Trip -- smelly trips involving dehydrated food and tents
Friday, 4:00 -- We arrive in Cincinnati to have air blasted up our clothes to check for bomb air particles. We pass. The X-ray off my bags look interesting however as I have a row of empty canisters (Nalgene bottles) sitting next to some sort of fuel injected device (camping stove). After a very pleasant conversation, we move on.
Friday. 6:00 -- Ryan sees Tim & Christie and says "See you in a week". He is in.
Friday, 6:05 -- Ryan calls me. He is out. I make plans to sent the now unneeded tent back with Nicole.
Friday, 6:10 -- flight delayed to 6:45. No worries, we have a very long layover in Minneapolis.
Friday, 6:45 -- flight delayed to 7:30. Some nervousness, frustration setting in
Friday, 7:30 -- we get on the plane, but the air conditioner is out. They fix it in 30 minutes, but at this point the pilots have been on duty too long and can no longer fly. Since they didn't call anyone until it was too late, we lose another 1/2 hour for them to get another team here.
Friday, 9:25 -- We miss our connection in Minneapolis and Delta puts us up in a very nice Holiday Inn Select.
Meanwhile in Montana:
After paging Nicole in Minneapolis (apparently there was no concern for me -- after all, she is the cute one), Tim & Christie arrive in Kalispell and check their voicemail to find out what is going on since we were supposed to be on the same flight from Minnesota. I leave directions for the car rental and the reserved hotel.
Note to Kalispell vacationers... Here is some information that my AAA book left out (on accident, I am sure). The "Airport" Super 8 has a few nice features:
1) You don't have to worry about the noise of airplanes as it is nowhere near the airport.
2) If you need a drink, there is a conveniently located biker bar not 30 feet away from your first floor window
3) The rooms will make you appreciate every other place you will stay for the rest of the trip (including the tent in the rain).
4) You will be safe as the police protection seemed to rotate in and out throughout the night.
5) It is well ventilated as the smokers from the next door non-smoking room is easily blown over directly to your non-smoking room.
However, the attendant was very kind in not charging me for my room through the great negotiations of Tim.
I am just sorry that I missed it...
Glacier Trip - Part 1: Casting
This is going to be the first in a series of several posts -- that build from previous entries on planning. Here are the highlights to catch you up.
In December or January (it was chilly, that is all I remember), at a company holiday party I was talking to Tim, the husband of another Project Manager, about hiking trips. As the night wore on, I said we should go. A couple of other colleagues (friends from other trips) signed on as well. We were in.
Fast forward to August and everyone is still verbally confirmed with a couple of slight complications...
Complication 1: Ryan gets promoted to a very very senior position with the company. Our orignal plan of putting this vacation back to back with another vacation is in jeopardy as time off for him gets even more difficult. Ryan thinks that he is 90% sure he is in.
Complication 2: Mike starts his own company with a couple of other guys and it is difficult for him to get away with two young kids and a wife with her own business.
Complication 3: Tim gets promoted and is new in the position.
Complication 4: Matt quits his job (to take a new one) and realizes that everyone else is in much better shape than he is -- and is nervous about about being the slowest and plumpest member of the group.
Mid-August arrives and 3 of 4 have plane tickets... We are getting close.
In December or January (it was chilly, that is all I remember), at a company holiday party I was talking to Tim, the husband of another Project Manager, about hiking trips. As the night wore on, I said we should go. A couple of other colleagues (friends from other trips) signed on as well. We were in.
Fast forward to August and everyone is still verbally confirmed with a couple of slight complications...
Complication 1: Ryan gets promoted to a very very senior position with the company. Our orignal plan of putting this vacation back to back with another vacation is in jeopardy as time off for him gets even more difficult. Ryan thinks that he is 90% sure he is in.
Complication 2: Mike starts his own company with a couple of other guys and it is difficult for him to get away with two young kids and a wife with her own business.
Complication 3: Tim gets promoted and is new in the position.
Complication 4: Matt quits his job (to take a new one) and realizes that everyone else is in much better shape than he is -- and is nervous about about being the slowest and plumpest member of the group.
Mid-August arrives and 3 of 4 have plane tickets... We are getting close.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Packing for three trips
Okay -- so logically I just take one car to one plane and arrive (after one layover) at one destination. However, I don't seem to be packing for *that* trip.
Trip 1
Evenings at a restaurant, all scrubbed clean and shaven, is dinner with friends. Jeans and maybe if I am feeling more preppy than my roots I might add a shirt with a collar. Counting the plane rides, I have six of those nights...
Trip 2
Day hiking with the Mrs... Nicer hiking clothing, maybe even the tennis shoes on days I don't feel like the heavy boots. No shower before we start, but still relatively clean.
Trip 3
Backpacking with the boys. No showers and no change of underwear -- in fact, if the boxers don't hike on their own by the end of the trip I don't think that we did it right.
Trip 3, while it may make you re-taste your breakfast just thinking about it, is still the hardest to pack and prepare as if you forget something here, it is at least a 10 mile hike and then a drive to go get it (and then a drive and 10 mile hike back). Forgetting is forgivable, but not fortuitous. Fortunately, I generally remember everything small, usually leaving out only the minor items like a "tent" or "stove".
Trip 2 is the odd man out. If I pack for trip 1 with extras, it is covered -- but as I am bringing along said "Mrs.", I want to look nice. After all, I do need to eventually talk this woman into the process, or at least the concept and idea of the baby-making enterprise. Sticking with the trip 3 fashion wear would automatically delay this 6-7 months.
Trip 1
Evenings at a restaurant, all scrubbed clean and shaven, is dinner with friends. Jeans and maybe if I am feeling more preppy than my roots I might add a shirt with a collar. Counting the plane rides, I have six of those nights...
Trip 2
Day hiking with the Mrs... Nicer hiking clothing, maybe even the tennis shoes on days I don't feel like the heavy boots. No shower before we start, but still relatively clean.
Trip 3
Backpacking with the boys. No showers and no change of underwear -- in fact, if the boxers don't hike on their own by the end of the trip I don't think that we did it right.
Trip 3, while it may make you re-taste your breakfast just thinking about it, is still the hardest to pack and prepare as if you forget something here, it is at least a 10 mile hike and then a drive to go get it (and then a drive and 10 mile hike back). Forgetting is forgivable, but not fortuitous. Fortunately, I generally remember everything small, usually leaving out only the minor items like a "tent" or "stove".
Trip 2 is the odd man out. If I pack for trip 1 with extras, it is covered -- but as I am bringing along said "Mrs.", I want to look nice. After all, I do need to eventually talk this woman into the process, or at least the concept and idea of the baby-making enterprise. Sticking with the trip 3 fashion wear would automatically delay this 6-7 months.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
A few loose ends...
Next Trip
Friday we leave for Glacier. Nicole is coming with me on Friday to rough it in the lodges with me until Tuesday. The guys are arriving on Friday, Wednesday and Friday which makes for some interesting logistics -- but we are going to have an incredible time.
18 Month Plan
For work, we are working on:
- two weeks to Colombia (Bogata) in September
- two weeks to Switzerland (Geneva) in October
- two weeks to Switzerland (Geneva) in November
which, I found out today, for my new role is practice for the literally 25-30 weeks I will spend next year in Europe. It looks like I will be gone completely January and June - September, with a multitude of two week trips peppered in from February - May. My primary developer is moving to Europe for 9 months.
Job
I have not been really able to talk about it, but I quit my job effective end of the month (45 days notice) to start September 5th with this new gig. I am almost done saying goodbye to all of my mentors, colleagues, and peeps -- but it has not been easy. 9 1/2 years is just a long time.
House Plans
This travel definitely affects when we can get a new house. I am going to scramble to get everything ready for December, but in all likelihood we will try to sell in February on our own -- and if that doesn't work, hire a realtor for March.
Friday we leave for Glacier. Nicole is coming with me on Friday to rough it in the lodges with me until Tuesday. The guys are arriving on Friday, Wednesday and Friday which makes for some interesting logistics -- but we are going to have an incredible time.
18 Month Plan
For work, we are working on:
- two weeks to Colombia (Bogata) in September
- two weeks to Switzerland (Geneva) in October
- two weeks to Switzerland (Geneva) in November
which, I found out today, for my new role is practice for the literally 25-30 weeks I will spend next year in Europe. It looks like I will be gone completely January and June - September, with a multitude of two week trips peppered in from February - May. My primary developer is moving to Europe for 9 months.
Job
I have not been really able to talk about it, but I quit my job effective end of the month (45 days notice) to start September 5th with this new gig. I am almost done saying goodbye to all of my mentors, colleagues, and peeps -- but it has not been easy. 9 1/2 years is just a long time.
House Plans
This travel definitely affects when we can get a new house. I am going to scramble to get everything ready for December, but in all likelihood we will try to sell in February on our own -- and if that doesn't work, hire a realtor for March.
You can't go home again
...or at least you can not bring any liquids, gels or relaxation back with you.
We got up Friday morning much too early. Luckily, since I had the only suitcase with an echo -- all of my stuff fit fine. The two glass bottles of tequila were safely wrapped in clothing in the middle of my suitcase. My products of evil (toothpaste, shampoo, sunscreen) were safely left for the hotel staff. We were ready to go.
My manager fared just as well as I did using an interesting approach to package his wine. He pulls the bottles into a (slightly used) sock. Apparently this adds to the bouquet.
Being the designated paranoid travel, the DPT, I was a bit stressed that we did not leave at 10 as I had planned. So, rounding up folks at 10:02 -- we finally left around 10:45. It took a while to get to the border crossing, and since we were locked in line we had to turn off the air conditioning just to guarantee that we could make it. My manager, with his wily ways, had positioned the car so that the sun was beating down on me. However, I don't blame him for the lack of wind. As you would expect, this was the only hot day with no rain.
We made it to the border and the guard was unimpressed with his Frenchness and asked a lot of questions. He asked me a couple of things to verify my KY accent of which I did my best to oblige (Hoo-Wee). He asked if we had cigarettes, drugs or alcohol -- and since we had 6 bottles in the car we were sent to a building with a flashing light. Nervous that they were going to search our entire bags, we drove over (mainly just nervous about flight times, not that someone would be caught with some lotion or other dangerous contraband). However, they just wanted to have us pay a tax.
The guard asked to see the bottles. I asked if he was serious. He said yes, that he was. I asked him what the maximum tax was -- I would just pay that. He said no. I looked pleadingly. He got out a rubber glove and a smile. I dug into my suitcase and produced both bottles. Total charge per bottle $1.25. No cavity search, priceless.
We made it to the airport about an hour prior to the flight just as the gas tank read "Low". Perfect timing as only 1/2 of my face had already melted away.
There was no one in line for security and the detailed check was "Do you have any liquids?" I said "No". They said "Are you sure?" I said "Yes." That will fool them. You can just see it... "Dang, you asked me twice -- I must tell the truth!"
Flights were uneventful. I did nervously watch someone mix a drink, but it turned out to not be explosive.
We got up Friday morning much too early. Luckily, since I had the only suitcase with an echo -- all of my stuff fit fine. The two glass bottles of tequila were safely wrapped in clothing in the middle of my suitcase. My products of evil (toothpaste, shampoo, sunscreen) were safely left for the hotel staff. We were ready to go.
My manager fared just as well as I did using an interesting approach to package his wine. He pulls the bottles into a (slightly used) sock. Apparently this adds to the bouquet.
Being the designated paranoid travel, the DPT, I was a bit stressed that we did not leave at 10 as I had planned. So, rounding up folks at 10:02 -- we finally left around 10:45. It took a while to get to the border crossing, and since we were locked in line we had to turn off the air conditioning just to guarantee that we could make it. My manager, with his wily ways, had positioned the car so that the sun was beating down on me. However, I don't blame him for the lack of wind. As you would expect, this was the only hot day with no rain.
We made it to the border and the guard was unimpressed with his Frenchness and asked a lot of questions. He asked me a couple of things to verify my KY accent of which I did my best to oblige (Hoo-Wee). He asked if we had cigarettes, drugs or alcohol -- and since we had 6 bottles in the car we were sent to a building with a flashing light. Nervous that they were going to search our entire bags, we drove over (mainly just nervous about flight times, not that someone would be caught with some lotion or other dangerous contraband). However, they just wanted to have us pay a tax.
The guard asked to see the bottles. I asked if he was serious. He said yes, that he was. I asked him what the maximum tax was -- I would just pay that. He said no. I looked pleadingly. He got out a rubber glove and a smile. I dug into my suitcase and produced both bottles. Total charge per bottle $1.25. No cavity search, priceless.
We made it to the airport about an hour prior to the flight just as the gas tank read "Low". Perfect timing as only 1/2 of my face had already melted away.
There was no one in line for security and the detailed check was "Do you have any liquids?" I said "No". They said "Are you sure?" I said "Yes." That will fool them. You can just see it... "Dang, you asked me twice -- I must tell the truth!"
Flights were uneventful. I did nervously watch someone mix a drink, but it turned out to not be explosive.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Sunny Delight
Wednesday in Juarez
Today it did not rain until around 2 -- and then only enough to continue the streak.
Training continued acceptably. We had some executive requirements review -- and then went on to have dinner with the plant manager at a local steakhouse.
At the restaurant, the waiter seated us and then asked us how we liked our salsa. There was a guy that would come to the table with a big mortar & pestle and several bowls of ingredients. My boss said "Medium", which in Spanish is very similar to the English word "Molten". The server actually asked when we said Medium if we would prefer that he go light on the Habenero peppers. There was no sweating with this salsa. There was simply a tingle followed by pain.
Loss of manly points by bursting into tears and begging the "bad man to stop" -- 50.
Thursday
We wrapped up the majority of training today and I was able to get in a bit of programming (which is not something I do more than once or twice a year). The team wanted to take us out to dinner to a local restaurant named "Frida's" after the famous painter.
Dinner was very good. For the appetizers, we had cucumbers & jalepenos in a mild sauce and a wonderful combo platter that included the fried famous Menonite cheese. I had a steak with a wonderful brandied gravy and au gratin potatoes. After the gorging completed, the team generously gave us a huge box of local foods and flavors of Mexico -- and a bottle each of tequila. Way too genorous.
After dinner, three of us (or at least two of them including my ride) decided to go next door to a dance club. There was a great live band (as opposed to a dead band, I guess) and the ratio of women to men was at least 60-40. I am thinking that this isn't so bad afterall. So ignoring the packing challenges that loom ahead between the terrorist limitations and the addition of these wonderful gifts -- we go on.
Now it should have been clear to me that a large ratio of women to men is not a natural occurrence in any culture or country. If there are a lot of women, there is always a lot of men unless there is one determining factor soon to be made appararent.
The band completed and a guy came out into what I thought was an oddly unpopulated area in the middle of the floor. We, I had wrongly thought conveniently, had a great seat next to the dance floor. Please picture the change in facial expressions.
1) Seconds 0-5 Me smiling and enjoying the scenery and live music.
2) Seconds 6-9 Oddly confused at why the women are crowding towards the stage
3) Second 10 Horror as his shirt comes off. I realize I am now experiencing a Mexican strip show
Three dancers later, after couning the number of tiles in the opposite wall -- the show is over. The locals go to dance to the techno Spanish music and we leave around 1 a.m.
Today it did not rain until around 2 -- and then only enough to continue the streak.
Training continued acceptably. We had some executive requirements review -- and then went on to have dinner with the plant manager at a local steakhouse.
At the restaurant, the waiter seated us and then asked us how we liked our salsa. There was a guy that would come to the table with a big mortar & pestle and several bowls of ingredients. My boss said "Medium", which in Spanish is very similar to the English word "Molten". The server actually asked when we said Medium if we would prefer that he go light on the Habenero peppers. There was no sweating with this salsa. There was simply a tingle followed by pain.
Loss of manly points by bursting into tears and begging the "bad man to stop" -- 50.
Thursday
We wrapped up the majority of training today and I was able to get in a bit of programming (which is not something I do more than once or twice a year). The team wanted to take us out to dinner to a local restaurant named "Frida's" after the famous painter.
Dinner was very good. For the appetizers, we had cucumbers & jalepenos in a mild sauce and a wonderful combo platter that included the fried famous Menonite cheese. I had a steak with a wonderful brandied gravy and au gratin potatoes. After the gorging completed, the team generously gave us a huge box of local foods and flavors of Mexico -- and a bottle each of tequila. Way too genorous.
After dinner, three of us (or at least two of them including my ride) decided to go next door to a dance club. There was a great live band (as opposed to a dead band, I guess) and the ratio of women to men was at least 60-40. I am thinking that this isn't so bad afterall. So ignoring the packing challenges that loom ahead between the terrorist limitations and the addition of these wonderful gifts -- we go on.
Now it should have been clear to me that a large ratio of women to men is not a natural occurrence in any culture or country. If there are a lot of women, there is always a lot of men unless there is one determining factor soon to be made appararent.
The band completed and a guy came out into what I thought was an oddly unpopulated area in the middle of the floor. We, I had wrongly thought conveniently, had a great seat next to the dance floor. Please picture the change in facial expressions.
1) Seconds 0-5 Me smiling and enjoying the scenery and live music.
2) Seconds 6-9 Oddly confused at why the women are crowding towards the stage
3) Second 10 Horror as his shirt comes off. I realize I am now experiencing a Mexican strip show
Three dancers later, after couning the number of tiles in the opposite wall -- the show is over. The locals go to dance to the techno Spanish music and we leave around 1 a.m.
Cantinas, Cathedrals and Culture -- Oh, My!
Monday
The morning brings an early day. I met my boss for breakfast and we went on to the plant for the training session. We got through the security checks, etc... and everyone rolled it to get started about 8:30. The day went pretty well and it was a good group of folks. I only get 2 days with this team, so we definitely are going for the highlights (only). For dinner, Armida took us out again. She rocks.
Logistically, it was going to take too long for her to go home to change and then come back across the city to meet us for dinner. So instead, we dropped our stuff off at the hotel -- and since my laundry had not returned (they had my jeans and cargo pants) I went for the overdressed look -- and then went to her house for her to change clothes. It was good to see a real home -- and her parents were very open and generous to us.
We left her house to go see her brother at his liquor store (I had mentioned that I wanted to find a World Cup Mexico hat like hers and her brother sold some). He gave us the hats for free, so I overpaid for some locally made liquor to give as a present. We then went to the cantina that her father owns and her brother bartends during the day. It was incredibly cool. This leads to a story that may divide her family for years... Some background...
Apparently, in Mexico the cantina was a refuge for the men. Some years ago, when women were allowed(?) to work, they were also allowed into the cantinas. (I can somewhat recognize the equation work=need to drink). However, her father had never encouraged this practice in HIS cantina. He is old school.
Armida had been in the cantina once when she was 10 years old when she and some cousins skipped Mass and shot pool. Her father had not spoken to her for a month.
Now fast forward 26 years. Armida is now 36 and for the first time since childhood, steps foot into the cantina and -- wait for it -- orders a drink. The brother hesitates as if looking at the clock and calculating the time it would take for her to drink her tequila and doing some mental calisthenics to factor in the safety zone between finish time and the ETA of said Old School Father. She was like a kid in a candy store. Even if this hadn't been one of the truly coolest bars I have ever seen -- this was fun to watch.
We then went on to have a great dinner out on a patio downtown. Chihuahua is a great city.
Tuesday
Training went as well today as yesterday. We had a good time until the speed of some of the applications in the training room had us end a little early.
The group wanted to take us out to see the city. We had passed a cathedral (apparently famous) of which I wanted to take a few pictures. We drove there and while I rushed on to get a few pictures while the sunlight was on my side -- Herve and Armida waited for the other group to park. In the list of the top 100 decisions I have made in the last month, this somehow would not have made the cut.
So as I wandered the three blocks to the cathedral, a less than sober/sane/wealthy local stumbled past me, muttering and rapping at me in Spanish. (So far, not all that different than a day at the office or in any other city). Then he picked up a brick.
Now imagine that all this passed through my mind in a single flash. Crazy guy. Brick. 10 karate lessons. 1,000 watched karate movies. I literally looked him in the eye and considered doing that little "C'mon" wave from the Matrix. Then, luckily, he dropped his brick and stumbled on.
Now this person was no different than the poor in any American city or any other city in the world. Chihuahua was an amazingly beautiful, clean and pedestrian friendly city. I loved it -- this story was only a typical travel day for me.
The Cathedral was gorgeous. We wandered over to a wedding dress shop to see a local story where the mannequin was famously designed after the owner's daughter (or that was as much as I understood of the story). We then meandered over to a city park where every night they have live music and choreographed lights and fountains for a great Bellagio-esque show. Dinner was in a great Chinese restaurant (I had sweet & sour duck).
Wednesday in Chihuahua
We unfortunately had to leave the beautiful city -- and 350km, a couple of tolls and a military checkpoint later -- arrived back in Juarez for training.
The morning brings an early day. I met my boss for breakfast and we went on to the plant for the training session. We got through the security checks, etc... and everyone rolled it to get started about 8:30. The day went pretty well and it was a good group of folks. I only get 2 days with this team, so we definitely are going for the highlights (only). For dinner, Armida took us out again. She rocks.
Logistically, it was going to take too long for her to go home to change and then come back across the city to meet us for dinner. So instead, we dropped our stuff off at the hotel -- and since my laundry had not returned (they had my jeans and cargo pants) I went for the overdressed look -- and then went to her house for her to change clothes. It was good to see a real home -- and her parents were very open and generous to us.
We left her house to go see her brother at his liquor store (I had mentioned that I wanted to find a World Cup Mexico hat like hers and her brother sold some). He gave us the hats for free, so I overpaid for some locally made liquor to give as a present. We then went to the cantina that her father owns and her brother bartends during the day. It was incredibly cool. This leads to a story that may divide her family for years... Some background...
Apparently, in Mexico the cantina was a refuge for the men. Some years ago, when women were allowed(?) to work, they were also allowed into the cantinas. (I can somewhat recognize the equation work=need to drink). However, her father had never encouraged this practice in HIS cantina. He is old school.
Armida had been in the cantina once when she was 10 years old when she and some cousins skipped Mass and shot pool. Her father had not spoken to her for a month.
Now fast forward 26 years. Armida is now 36 and for the first time since childhood, steps foot into the cantina and -- wait for it -- orders a drink. The brother hesitates as if looking at the clock and calculating the time it would take for her to drink her tequila and doing some mental calisthenics to factor in the safety zone between finish time and the ETA of said Old School Father. She was like a kid in a candy store. Even if this hadn't been one of the truly coolest bars I have ever seen -- this was fun to watch.
We then went on to have a great dinner out on a patio downtown. Chihuahua is a great city.
Tuesday
Training went as well today as yesterday. We had a good time until the speed of some of the applications in the training room had us end a little early.
The group wanted to take us out to see the city. We had passed a cathedral (apparently famous) of which I wanted to take a few pictures. We drove there and while I rushed on to get a few pictures while the sunlight was on my side -- Herve and Armida waited for the other group to park. In the list of the top 100 decisions I have made in the last month, this somehow would not have made the cut.
So as I wandered the three blocks to the cathedral, a less than sober/sane/wealthy local stumbled past me, muttering and rapping at me in Spanish. (So far, not all that different than a day at the office or in any other city). Then he picked up a brick.
Now imagine that all this passed through my mind in a single flash. Crazy guy. Brick. 10 karate lessons. 1,000 watched karate movies. I literally looked him in the eye and considered doing that little "C'mon" wave from the Matrix. Then, luckily, he dropped his brick and stumbled on.
Now this person was no different than the poor in any American city or any other city in the world. Chihuahua was an amazingly beautiful, clean and pedestrian friendly city. I loved it -- this story was only a typical travel day for me.
The Cathedral was gorgeous. We wandered over to a wedding dress shop to see a local story where the mannequin was famously designed after the owner's daughter (or that was as much as I understood of the story). We then meandered over to a city park where every night they have live music and choreographed lights and fountains for a great Bellagio-esque show. Dinner was in a great Chinese restaurant (I had sweet & sour duck).
Wednesday in Chihuahua
We unfortunately had to leave the beautiful city -- and 350km, a couple of tolls and a military checkpoint later -- arrived back in Juarez for training.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Play that funky music, Gringo
For the drive to Copper Canyon and back, I sat in the back seat so that Armida could give directions. Unforeseen in this decision was the associated impact to music selection for our eight or so hours in the car. Let's just say that it was really odd when (around hour 7) she switched to an English station (it took about 1/2 way through the song before I realized that it wasn't that I suddenly understood Spanish, but that they had not translated Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody").Our friends were very good though about helping us understand the language, culture and history of what we were seeing throughout the drive --like we passed the area where most of the US/Mexican apples are grown. We drove through towns and villages, each with their own culture. Since it rains so little here (cough), the girls were very excited about a massive and beautiful double rainbow that appeared on our way back.
The Indians at the top of the canyon were interesting. They were weaving baskets there not so much for show, but rather to pass the time and get the work done. For the most part, they kept to themselves. There were some interesting food selections of which I chose not to partake -- but it all smelled very good. The picture does not do it justice, but the tacos here in the open air market smelled wonderful.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Copper Canyon
Surprisingly it rained today.We drove about 2 hours to Creel and had lunch. Creel is kind of like the touristy shop part of Gatlinburg merged with Mexican culture. I had some chicken tacos and on the request of my sister, had some Mexican hot chocolate (as she had heard it was something different). So, Melinda, Mexican hot chocolate is very good. I watched them open a packet of Nestle Hot Chocolate and pour it and boiling water into the cup. So I can honestly say it is just like Mom used to make.
We then drove another 2 hours to Copper Canyon to see the rain clouds. We stopped in the hotel (picture taken after the rain) and sat in the bar area on a great couch with a big picture window of the canyon (the bar area was the two right most windows).One of the locals was kind enough to show us the way. She (Armida) had brought one of her friends (Monica) -- their drinks were (1) tequila and grapefruit juice and (2) beer and tomato juice on ice. I am not sure where to start with the second one as it seems wrong on each ingredient level.
More on this trip (funny stories) in the next post.
Caption Contest
This picture deserves its own posting and really should be a contest for the best caption. There are several drive-thru liquor stores that we saw on the way to/from Copper Canyon -- and Armida saw this happening and made us stop to get a picture. Here are my ideas:
"Look officer, the horse hasn't had a thing to drink"
"Um, is there such a thing as RUI?"
"Designated Drivers are sooo over-rated"
Okay, so I was wrong...
Some of the few, the proud, the folks with bigger SUVs -- decided to take us out anyway. We went to a place called "Viva Mexico" where there was a cultural show of dancers, mariachis, lasso twirler guys, and a really funny comedian that dragged one of our American guys on stage and had him dance. He was a great sport -- so much so that since I captured it all on video, I have promised that what happens in Juarez, stays in Juarez. (I could see it coming with the show and hid behind the table.)
We conducted the training on Friday and headed for El Paso. This border crossing took about an hour and a half to get to the border, but once we did it was pretty easy to get across. We have to remember to stop at an extra location to get stamped for our final departure. We had planned to go to one of the most famous Steak houses in the US, but the interstate was closed due to flooding. Our second choice had flooded twice (although according to the only guy at the restaurant -- he was cleaning -- we could make it there, just there would be nothing to serve). Our third choice was a seafood place a mile away -- and it was really good.
The next morning I met my boss at the airport and we headed across the border after grabbing a couple items at the local mall. I found out later that today was a tax free shopping day which explains why we literally had to park over a mile away. The border was relatively easy to cross again. (We saw someone else struggling through the situation where they had not been stamped). We had gotten the right insurance for the Mexican government -- but we had to stop and get a permit, go through 2 tolls and a military checkpoint to get through to Chihuahua.
Since this was the desert, there were only two times that it rained so hard we had to turn on the emergency blinkers and slow to about 30 mph. The rest of the time it just drizzled. I will say that time seems to go faster with kph over mph. The numbers count down much quicker.
We met one of our colleagues for dinner -- I had the best meal so far, a pepper stuffed with meat, potatoes, grapes, and almonds and it had a white gravy with pomegranite seeds. Chihuahua is a really beautiful city.
Here are a couple of images from the weather forecast.
We conducted the training on Friday and headed for El Paso. This border crossing took about an hour and a half to get to the border, but once we did it was pretty easy to get across. We have to remember to stop at an extra location to get stamped for our final departure. We had planned to go to one of the most famous Steak houses in the US, but the interstate was closed due to flooding. Our second choice had flooded twice (although according to the only guy at the restaurant -- he was cleaning -- we could make it there, just there would be nothing to serve). Our third choice was a seafood place a mile away -- and it was really good.
The next morning I met my boss at the airport and we headed across the border after grabbing a couple items at the local mall. I found out later that today was a tax free shopping day which explains why we literally had to park over a mile away. The border was relatively easy to cross again. (We saw someone else struggling through the situation where they had not been stamped). We had gotten the right insurance for the Mexican government -- but we had to stop and get a permit, go through 2 tolls and a military checkpoint to get through to Chihuahua.
Since this was the desert, there were only two times that it rained so hard we had to turn on the emergency blinkers and slow to about 30 mph. The rest of the time it just drizzled. I will say that time seems to go faster with kph over mph. The numbers count down much quicker.
We met one of our colleagues for dinner -- I had the best meal so far, a pepper stuffed with meat, potatoes, grapes, and almonds and it had a white gravy with pomegranite seeds. Chihuahua is a really beautiful city.
Here are a couple of images from the weather forecast.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Rain, rain, go away
We are at the end of the training day (Thursday) and our plans to go out to dinner with the complete team have been cancelled. Apparently additional storms and flash flood warnings seem to have "dampened" the spirt of adventure.
The training today went "okay". We got started late today (10:30) because of the floods -- so my 7 hours, down to 6 hours, down to 3.5 hours went relatively quickly. I was averaging a slide a minute -- with a focus tomorrow on doing more hands on to bring it all together.
We are in a training room in the middle of the manufacturing plant. To keep the workers occupied, they blast music throughout the plant. While we are two closed doors away from the plant, you can definitely still hear it. I threatened the other day to start shaking my hips along with Shakira (I was asked by the class "Please don't). It also was interesting to have one of them whistle the main bass line from Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" while I was having application issues. I have always said that my life needs theme music.
The training today went "okay". We got started late today (10:30) because of the floods -- so my 7 hours, down to 6 hours, down to 3.5 hours went relatively quickly. I was averaging a slide a minute -- with a focus tomorrow on doing more hands on to bring it all together.
We are in a training room in the middle of the manufacturing plant. To keep the workers occupied, they blast music throughout the plant. While we are two closed doors away from the plant, you can definitely still hear it. I threatened the other day to start shaking my hips along with Shakira (I was asked by the class "Please don't). It also was interesting to have one of them whistle the main bass line from Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" while I was having application issues. I have always said that my life needs theme music.
Oh the sunburn...
Today was less rain compared to earlier in the week. We actually got to see a spot of sun, which according to local legend is somewhat common in the desert. I am not sure that I believe it. The forecast for Juarez is the following:
August 2 -- Scattered Thunderstorms
August 3 -- Scattered Thunderstorms
August 4 -- Isolated Thunderstorms
August 5 -- Isolated Thunderstorms
August 6 -- Isolated Thunderstorms
August 7 -- Isolated Thunderstorms
August 8 -- Isolated Thunderstorms
August 9 -- Isolated Thunderstorms
August 10 -- Mostly Sunny
August 11 -- Mostly Sunny, and we leave
I attempted to do some training today, but the application we are working on died. It gave an error when I logged in that I have found to be the most truthful of any application ever. It read "Horrible Error" with a undescriptive description of the issue. I have to admit that I agree. I am training folks having traveled across the border and I am embarrased that it doesn't work -- so it is a "Horrible Error". I appreciate the honesty.
I found out later that the company that hosts the tool was having trouble with their internet service provider until about 15 minutes after we finished. I don't know if anyone has ever taken a class where the instructor was basically forced to teach from the user's manual -- but it is somewhat less than captivating. I did get to show off the main features however, so not all is lost.
For lunch we ate at the cafeteria -- and they had chili dogs and fries. It is the simple things in life that make me happy. To top it off -- for our training room snack they served Hostess Twinkies and Ding Dongs. While I did refrain, I was tempted by the twinkie -- since they were out of the fried twinkies at the last Red's game I attended.
For dinner, one of the students/new hires took us to a local mall. We ate in the food court at a local favorite fast food chain. Kathy and I split between two orders of chicken and pork tacos which were served with a baked potato (with real butter, very nice) and a soda. I was all proud of my grasp of Spanish fast food so I approached the counter and had the following exchange:
Me: Buenos Dias
Server: Buenos Dias (she understood me, so far so good)
Me: Taco Tote Pack, Pollo
Server: Ok. Taco Tote Pack Pollo (got my chicken taco combo meal order, so far so good)
Me: Si, Gracias
Server: Long sentence in Spanish (uh oh)
Me: Um, uh, um
Server: (Pointing to Soda Fountain)
Me: Oh (cursing in English) um, "Coke Light" (Diet Coke)
Server: Long Sentence in Spanish (hmmm, this isn't going well)
Me: Here is a $20
Server: Long Sentence in Spanish (apparently she can only give me change in Pesos, which I want -- but our "guide" wouldn't let me pay)
Me: (I step out of the way, humbly)
I will say that I was better prepared when I went back to the counter and got (wonderful) Flan for dessert (go with what works -- point at what you want, hold up the appropriate number of fingers, hand over a sum of money). I got my change (she gave me dollars and pesos) and I repaid our guide. We wandered around the mall for a bit and then left so that Kathy could make her 9:30 call with China.
Hector and I sat at the hotel bar for a couple of hours and talked sports, movies and the other "no no's" for international conversations -- religion and politics. It was a good time and good to bond with a colleague that I probably will not see face to face for a very long time. It rained all night apparently, so we are late getting started on Thursday as some people are flooded in and are being "rescued" by folks in the larger SUVs. Gotta love this desert weather.
August 2 -- Scattered Thunderstorms
August 3 -- Scattered Thunderstorms
August 4 -- Isolated Thunderstorms
August 5 -- Isolated Thunderstorms
August 6 -- Isolated Thunderstorms
August 7 -- Isolated Thunderstorms
August 8 -- Isolated Thunderstorms
August 9 -- Isolated Thunderstorms
August 10 -- Mostly Sunny
August 11 -- Mostly Sunny, and we leave
I attempted to do some training today, but the application we are working on died. It gave an error when I logged in that I have found to be the most truthful of any application ever. It read "Horrible Error" with a undescriptive description of the issue. I have to admit that I agree. I am training folks having traveled across the border and I am embarrased that it doesn't work -- so it is a "Horrible Error". I appreciate the honesty.
I found out later that the company that hosts the tool was having trouble with their internet service provider until about 15 minutes after we finished. I don't know if anyone has ever taken a class where the instructor was basically forced to teach from the user's manual -- but it is somewhat less than captivating. I did get to show off the main features however, so not all is lost.
For lunch we ate at the cafeteria -- and they had chili dogs and fries. It is the simple things in life that make me happy. To top it off -- for our training room snack they served Hostess Twinkies and Ding Dongs. While I did refrain, I was tempted by the twinkie -- since they were out of the fried twinkies at the last Red's game I attended.
For dinner, one of the students/new hires took us to a local mall. We ate in the food court at a local favorite fast food chain. Kathy and I split between two orders of chicken and pork tacos which were served with a baked potato (with real butter, very nice) and a soda. I was all proud of my grasp of Spanish fast food so I approached the counter and had the following exchange:
Me: Buenos Dias
Server: Buenos Dias (she understood me, so far so good)
Me: Taco Tote Pack, Pollo
Server: Ok. Taco Tote Pack Pollo (got my chicken taco combo meal order, so far so good)
Me: Si, Gracias
Server: Long sentence in Spanish (uh oh)
Me: Um, uh, um
Server: (Pointing to Soda Fountain)
Me: Oh (cursing in English) um, "Coke Light" (Diet Coke)
Server: Long Sentence in Spanish (hmmm, this isn't going well)
Me: Here is a $20
Server: Long Sentence in Spanish (apparently she can only give me change in Pesos, which I want -- but our "guide" wouldn't let me pay)
Me: (I step out of the way, humbly)
I will say that I was better prepared when I went back to the counter and got (wonderful) Flan for dessert (go with what works -- point at what you want, hold up the appropriate number of fingers, hand over a sum of money). I got my change (she gave me dollars and pesos) and I repaid our guide. We wandered around the mall for a bit and then left so that Kathy could make her 9:30 call with China.
Hector and I sat at the hotel bar for a couple of hours and talked sports, movies and the other "no no's" for international conversations -- religion and politics. It was a good time and good to bond with a colleague that I probably will not see face to face for a very long time. It rained all night apparently, so we are late getting started on Thursday as some people are flooded in and are being "rescued" by folks in the larger SUVs. Gotta love this desert weather.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Updates
None of us can get connected to the network -- so no email/work is possible. The plant is closed until 9, so we could have slept in or at least I could have if I had answered the phone call that I hazily remember hearing in my Tylenol PM stupor last night.
Here is a picture from our underwater adventures. This is the intersection in front of our hotel.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Desert Rain
So let me remind my dear readers that I am in Juarez, which is located in the middle of the desert. Apparently, every fifty years or so there is a big rain... ...and the last one was, oh, about 50 years ago. So, this week, we have gotten more rain in the area than has ever been measured in Juarez in recorded history (we just surpassed the record set in 1881). I am not making this up. There have been walls of water on the streets and bridges/roads have collapsed... ...and it is not going to stop raining until this weekend.
Today started relatively uneventfully. I got up at 4:30 (6.5 hours of sleep) and got prepped for the day. I had a 6:30 conference call with Lexington/Cincinnati/France that seemed to have happened successfully without me as I could not dial in from Mexico. This same number and approach worked at 5, but not at 6:30 in the morning. Sigh.
We took the shuttle in and got there through the puddles/rivers/streams by 7:30 or so. They had breakfast there for us with fresh papaya. This is how every day should start. We went through the training and broke for lunch (same roughly as yesterday). We then restarted the training on our Spend Analysis tool and were really cranking through it.
At least we were doing well until the stressed out head of HR came in to tell us that the plant was being evacuated due to the rain. Apparently the sewer systems were filling with the sand/water and the plant could potentially flood. We were to leave immediately. So one of the managers had a large SUV and took us back around roadblocks, flooded streets and traffic to get us back to the hotel. For the first time, I had a chance to work out.
Dinner was relatively uneventful. I do think that I could make it a profession though to travel around the world and rewrite the English in menus. I ordered a puff pastry that came out as toast. I like toast almost as well as puff pastry -- but they are a bit tough to confuse.
So a nice end to the day -- and we will see tomorrow if we get to go to work.
Today started relatively uneventfully. I got up at 4:30 (6.5 hours of sleep) and got prepped for the day. I had a 6:30 conference call with Lexington/Cincinnati/France that seemed to have happened successfully without me as I could not dial in from Mexico. This same number and approach worked at 5, but not at 6:30 in the morning. Sigh.
We took the shuttle in and got there through the puddles/rivers/streams by 7:30 or so. They had breakfast there for us with fresh papaya. This is how every day should start. We went through the training and broke for lunch (same roughly as yesterday). We then restarted the training on our Spend Analysis tool and were really cranking through it.
At least we were doing well until the stressed out head of HR came in to tell us that the plant was being evacuated due to the rain. Apparently the sewer systems were filling with the sand/water and the plant could potentially flood. We were to leave immediately. So one of the managers had a large SUV and took us back around roadblocks, flooded streets and traffic to get us back to the hotel. For the first time, I had a chance to work out.
Dinner was relatively uneventful. I do think that I could make it a profession though to travel around the world and rewrite the English in menus. I ordered a puff pastry that came out as toast. I like toast almost as well as puff pastry -- but they are a bit tough to confuse.
So a nice end to the day -- and we will see tomorrow if we get to go to work.
Holy Mole
C'mon, you knew that I had to title at least one blog with that.
So it is raining in Mexico. Maybe it doesn't sound that unusual that in the middle of the desert it is raining. Maybe it doesn't seem odd that the streets are flooded and on some of the roads there is standing water almost a foot in depth. I would only assume that if you didn't think it was odd, it was because you had traveled with me before and know that the rainy season follows my travels. Unbelievable. Not that the rain is bad exactly, it is a constant rain that has definitely cooled everything off and cleaned up the air. I think that the high yesterday was 83. Not bad at all.
We needed to be at the office at 7:30 in preparation for the training. To make our commute to the office, we then needed to leave at 7, so breakfast was scheduled 6:15. Of course, breakfast doesn't open until 6:30. So to get up, iron (someone please check on Nicole -- she probably just read that and fell out of her chair), check email, etc... that was a start at 5. Since this is going to be a typical day, I definitely am NOT going to get adjusted to the time zone and go to bed by 9:30. Regardless, I woke up at 4 (even having taken a Tylenol PM) -- so all was fine.
Breakfast was interesting. As we start out each trip we get adventourus and then quickly ease back into our morning stupor and go back to the comfort and simplicity of toast and coffee. I had enchilada casserole?, steamed vegatables and coffee. Without a Spanish/English dictionary that was as far as I would go.
Our ride was a bit late so we were trying to drive faster to the office through the flooded streets. It turned out that it didn't matter as the VP that was kicking us off was stuck in traffic and wasn't able to make it until 9. We adjusted our training to finish on time in the morning with a lot of "We will talk about that later this week".
Lunch at the site is at the cafeteria (free) where I used my exquisite language skills to point and grunt at what I wanted. I got flautas and rice. Everything was good -- just a bit embarrassing as the flautas were spicy enough that my whole head was sweating. Just in case anyone was wondering on this trip -- yes, my sinuses are completely clear.
The afternoon was 1x1 with folks on the tools and strategies. The team is pretty smart and while we are teaching what you should/must do -- there is a lot of push back in what people "really" do. However, I think we made some good connections. The team oddly mainly remembers me as the guy that ordered the frog legs -- and wants to take me to some restaurant later this week that serves them.
We left work about 6:30 and went to dinner. I debated all sorts of menu items -- there is this "Black Bass" that keeps appearing on the menu that I think is interesting. I went exotic and had Tacos. They were good, but they serve you the fillings on a plate with a stack of corn tortillas more like we get fajitas. Cecilia got a vegatarian enchilada with mole that was awesome. For dessert, we had Crepas which is like a unfilled crepe with a cooked milk (kind of like caramel) and minced pecans in the sauce. Very good.
My phone worked for exactly 10 seconds. We were driving and at some point the clouds, roads and signals aligned -- and I got two text messages from Sunday. Any other time I tried the phone, it would simply ring and then I got a recorded message yelling at me in Spanish.
So it is raining in Mexico. Maybe it doesn't sound that unusual that in the middle of the desert it is raining. Maybe it doesn't seem odd that the streets are flooded and on some of the roads there is standing water almost a foot in depth. I would only assume that if you didn't think it was odd, it was because you had traveled with me before and know that the rainy season follows my travels. Unbelievable. Not that the rain is bad exactly, it is a constant rain that has definitely cooled everything off and cleaned up the air. I think that the high yesterday was 83. Not bad at all.
We needed to be at the office at 7:30 in preparation for the training. To make our commute to the office, we then needed to leave at 7, so breakfast was scheduled 6:15. Of course, breakfast doesn't open until 6:30. So to get up, iron (someone please check on Nicole -- she probably just read that and fell out of her chair), check email, etc... that was a start at 5. Since this is going to be a typical day, I definitely am NOT going to get adjusted to the time zone and go to bed by 9:30. Regardless, I woke up at 4 (even having taken a Tylenol PM) -- so all was fine.
Breakfast was interesting. As we start out each trip we get adventourus and then quickly ease back into our morning stupor and go back to the comfort and simplicity of toast and coffee. I had enchilada casserole?, steamed vegatables and coffee. Without a Spanish/English dictionary that was as far as I would go.
Our ride was a bit late so we were trying to drive faster to the office through the flooded streets. It turned out that it didn't matter as the VP that was kicking us off was stuck in traffic and wasn't able to make it until 9. We adjusted our training to finish on time in the morning with a lot of "We will talk about that later this week".
Lunch at the site is at the cafeteria (free) where I used my exquisite language skills to point and grunt at what I wanted. I got flautas and rice. Everything was good -- just a bit embarrassing as the flautas were spicy enough that my whole head was sweating. Just in case anyone was wondering on this trip -- yes, my sinuses are completely clear.
The afternoon was 1x1 with folks on the tools and strategies. The team is pretty smart and while we are teaching what you should/must do -- there is a lot of push back in what people "really" do. However, I think we made some good connections. The team oddly mainly remembers me as the guy that ordered the frog legs -- and wants to take me to some restaurant later this week that serves them.
We left work about 6:30 and went to dinner. I debated all sorts of menu items -- there is this "Black Bass" that keeps appearing on the menu that I think is interesting. I went exotic and had Tacos. They were good, but they serve you the fillings on a plate with a stack of corn tortillas more like we get fajitas. Cecilia got a vegatarian enchilada with mole that was awesome. For dessert, we had Crepas which is like a unfilled crepe with a cooked milk (kind of like caramel) and minced pecans in the sauce. Very good.
My phone worked for exactly 10 seconds. We were driving and at some point the clouds, roads and signals aligned -- and I got two text messages from Sunday. Any other time I tried the phone, it would simply ring and then I got a recorded message yelling at me in Spanish.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Mexico
The flight to El Paso was uneventful. However, for the sake of travel tradition, the train at the Dallas airport broke down for a few minutes so I would feel more at home. Cecilia and her husband were waiting for us at the airport. I was a bit concerned that we wouldn't have enough room in their car for all of our luggage, but they recognized the overage of American materialism and brought the Suburban.
To go into another completely hypothetical situation, suppose that the border might have proved to be slightly problematic. Not to point fingers, but we might have had an issue where one of us that had been to Mexico, had left without getting her passport stamped and was going to owe approximately $4,000 in back charges. (Note to self: Either get stamped leaving Mexico or don’t ever come back.) If this completely hypothetical situation might have happened, I imagine that to deal with it we would have potentially needed to have our “guide” use a lot of Spanish along with hand gestures and pleading. However, in the spirit of what seems to keep happening in this blog, let me embellish the story as of course this would never happen in reality -- there might have been some exchange of funds that seemed to ease the process and we passed on without much incident.
We checked into the hotel (nice) and went for a traditional Chihuahua meal. We went to a place with the same name as the ranch in Bonanza, which was covered with the heads and bodies of exotic animals from around the world that the owner had hunted and killed. (From hippos to lions, leopards to crocodiles). We had a lot of great food that I would misspell. We had a cheese with peppers and sausage in real tortillas. (The tortillas were a great corn instead of flour). We had wonderfully flavored steak, with guacamole, and enchiladas.
We also learned some key Mexican terminology:
Mild or Might be Spicy = Hot
A Little Spicy = Very Hot
There was also another term called “Spicy” of which I am unsure of the translation as it made it to my vicinity only to burn my nose hair. I did not try “Spicy”.
After dinner, we went to a Mexico City style ice cream place where I had flower ice cream and rose petal ice cream. My lovely wife had been talking about the ice cream for as long as I have known her (7 years) – and it was good to finally have some.
To go into another completely hypothetical situation, suppose that the border might have proved to be slightly problematic. Not to point fingers, but we might have had an issue where one of us that had been to Mexico, had left without getting her passport stamped and was going to owe approximately $4,000 in back charges. (Note to self: Either get stamped leaving Mexico or don’t ever come back.) If this completely hypothetical situation might have happened, I imagine that to deal with it we would have potentially needed to have our “guide” use a lot of Spanish along with hand gestures and pleading. However, in the spirit of what seems to keep happening in this blog, let me embellish the story as of course this would never happen in reality -- there might have been some exchange of funds that seemed to ease the process and we passed on without much incident.
We checked into the hotel (nice) and went for a traditional Chihuahua meal. We went to a place with the same name as the ranch in Bonanza, which was covered with the heads and bodies of exotic animals from around the world that the owner had hunted and killed. (From hippos to lions, leopards to crocodiles). We had a lot of great food that I would misspell. We had a cheese with peppers and sausage in real tortillas. (The tortillas were a great corn instead of flour). We had wonderfully flavored steak, with guacamole, and enchiladas.
We also learned some key Mexican terminology:
Mild or Might be Spicy = Hot
A Little Spicy = Very Hot
There was also another term called “Spicy” of which I am unsure of the translation as it made it to my vicinity only to burn my nose hair. I did not try “Spicy”.
After dinner, we went to a Mexico City style ice cream place where I had flower ice cream and rose petal ice cream. My lovely wife had been talking about the ice cream for as long as I have known her (7 years) – and it was good to finally have some.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Extreme Business
This Sunday I head off to Juarez and Chihuahua, in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. It is only logical as that I have traveled to China in monsoon season that I go to Mexico in the heat of summer. It would also be funny (if it were not true) to talk of my plans for a trip to Geneva, Switzerland this winter. If they try to send me the Middle East, I may start to get a bit suspicious that there is a larger messaage they are trying to convey.
I don't think that I will get to do too much locally as I am one of two trainers for all of our applications -- so while I have worked to prep prior, I am sure that the nights before I will be reworking the slides from all of the other sources to match my conversation flow.
Regardless, I look forward to some good Mexican food.
I don't think that I will get to do too much locally as I am one of two trainers for all of our applications -- so while I have worked to prep prior, I am sure that the nights before I will be reworking the slides from all of the other sources to match my conversation flow.
Regardless, I look forward to some good Mexican food.
Loose ends...
A few loose ends from the canoe trip...
A mouse got into our gear. We had packed all the perishables into the cooler, but had left a freezer bag full of energy bars in plastic bin with the lid on. I had also left my waterproof hat out sitting on top of my knife and box of waterproof matches. The mouse got into the bin (impressive), ate a hole into the plastic freezer bag and sampled two of the energy bars -- choosing one mint mocha and one apple crisp. Apparently, these bars were so tasty that he then decided instead to eat the cover off the waterproof matches. I find this funny in that my wife would probably also choose to eat cardboard over the energy bars I eat.
When we got to the end, there was a family playing in the water with a beagle that went crazy when we glided by. He jumped in the water and started to swim after us. My assumption is that canoe is somewhat slower that chasing cars -- so we were a better target.
As a testament to the canoe, we didn't have to scoop much water until a great rapid at the end where we went through with little problem until a drop of about 3 feet had a wave that hit David (in the front of the canoe) high in the chest. We calculated that we had taken in about 20 gallons, which being the heavier guy on the trip, was all sitting down with me in the back of the boat. We pulled over to the side only to startle off a copperhead (poisonous snake) from the bank. Neither of us really like snakes, reason again why I prefer to backpack in the northern regions.
A mouse got into our gear. We had packed all the perishables into the cooler, but had left a freezer bag full of energy bars in plastic bin with the lid on. I had also left my waterproof hat out sitting on top of my knife and box of waterproof matches. The mouse got into the bin (impressive), ate a hole into the plastic freezer bag and sampled two of the energy bars -- choosing one mint mocha and one apple crisp. Apparently, these bars were so tasty that he then decided instead to eat the cover off the waterproof matches. I find this funny in that my wife would probably also choose to eat cardboard over the energy bars I eat.
When we got to the end, there was a family playing in the water with a beagle that went crazy when we glided by. He jumped in the water and started to swim after us. My assumption is that canoe is somewhat slower that chasing cars -- so we were a better target.
As a testament to the canoe, we didn't have to scoop much water until a great rapid at the end where we went through with little problem until a drop of about 3 feet had a wave that hit David (in the front of the canoe) high in the chest. We calculated that we had taken in about 20 gallons, which being the heavier guy on the trip, was all sitting down with me in the back of the boat. We pulled over to the side only to startle off a copperhead (poisonous snake) from the bank. Neither of us really like snakes, reason again why I prefer to backpack in the northern regions.
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