Hi Y'all.
I'm slowly but surely catching up on the blog. I've gone back through the last few entries and added some photos. I spent the weekend in Budapest and have tons of pics from there that I'll post this week.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Spin Cycles, Birthday Parties and Floatariums
Finally, a weekend in London! I hate to say it, but I spent a fair amount of it in bed, or on the couch, with a load of laundry in. I say "a load" because that's all I could accomplish. A single load, I kid you not, took 6 HOURS.
I have this nifty combo washer/dryer unit. It has a very small drum so it only fits 3 towels and a couple of pairs of drawers. The upside is, you don't have to take the stuff out after the wash, you just flip a switch to start the dryer. The downside? 6 HOURS.
I know what you're all thinking, all three of you. You're saying to yourself, now this is the same girl who tried to cook pasta and frozen veggies at in the same pot at the same time. And the girl who let Airborne fizz all over the Corinthian leather seats of the Columbian executive's American car. You're thinking I screwed something up. Well, HA! I didn't. It's meant to take that long. I found the instruction manual and right there in black and white were the wash/dry times.
So that was fun.
Seriously, I was OVER the laundry by about noon on Saturday, so I left that thing spinning and went out for a stroll. It was a fabulous day and there was a kid's birthday party in the garden. I would have crashed but I still have no key. They did the cutest thing- on the sidewalks leading up to their house, the parents had drawn arrows with the little girl's name in chalk so the guests could find the place. It must have taken somebody an hour to run around the neighborhood.
While I was out, I came across a place called HydroHealing. As many of my girls will tell you, I am the quintessential New York Spa Whore (TM). If I have a spare $20 in my pocket, I'll give it to somebody to buff, scrub, massage, whack with branches, whatever. I've been intrigued with the idea of the sensory deprivation float , but I tend to get a little clausterphobic so I never looked into it. Recently I read a book in which one of the characters (a real kook, if you know what I mean) was forever nipping out to have a soak in the "Floatarium." This seemed like fate, so I went in and made an appointment for the next day.
Here's how it works: this place doesn't use the conventional tank that makes you feel like you're in a coffin. They have more of a good-sized bathroom set up with a big old tub filled with water that has been treated with minerals and dead-sea salts. Once you're ready -- post-shower, covering any scratches or cuts with vaseline (it is salt water after all!), and putting in ear plugs -- you get into the tub and turn out the lights. I opted for some dim lighting. They told me that a 1 hour float is equivalent to 4 hours of sleep. I believe it. I felt pretty great afterward. I think I was relieved to be able to turn my phones off for an hour.
I have this nifty combo washer/dryer unit. It has a very small drum so it only fits 3 towels and a couple of pairs of drawers. The upside is, you don't have to take the stuff out after the wash, you just flip a switch to start the dryer. The downside? 6 HOURS.
I know what you're all thinking, all three of you. You're saying to yourself, now this is the same girl who tried to cook pasta and frozen veggies at in the same pot at the same time. And the girl who let Airborne fizz all over the Corinthian leather seats of the Columbian executive's American car. You're thinking I screwed something up. Well, HA! I didn't. It's meant to take that long. I found the instruction manual and right there in black and white were the wash/dry times.
So that was fun.
Seriously, I was OVER the laundry by about noon on Saturday, so I left that thing spinning and went out for a stroll. It was a fabulous day and there was a kid's birthday party in the garden. I would have crashed but I still have no key. They did the cutest thing- on the sidewalks leading up to their house, the parents had drawn arrows with the little girl's name in chalk so the guests could find the place. It must have taken somebody an hour to run around the neighborhood.
While I was out, I came across a place called HydroHealing. As many of my girls will tell you, I am the quintessential New York Spa Whore (TM). If I have a spare $20 in my pocket, I'll give it to somebody to buff, scrub, massage, whack with branches, whatever. I've been intrigued with the idea of the sensory deprivation float , but I tend to get a little clausterphobic so I never looked into it. Recently I read a book in which one of the characters (a real kook, if you know what I mean) was forever nipping out to have a soak in the "Floatarium." This seemed like fate, so I went in and made an appointment for the next day.
Here's how it works: this place doesn't use the conventional tank that makes you feel like you're in a coffin. They have more of a good-sized bathroom set up with a big old tub filled with water that has been treated with minerals and dead-sea salts. Once you're ready -- post-shower, covering any scratches or cuts with vaseline (it is salt water after all!), and putting in ear plugs -- you get into the tub and turn out the lights. I opted for some dim lighting. They told me that a 1 hour float is equivalent to 4 hours of sleep. I believe it. I felt pretty great afterward. I think I was relieved to be able to turn my phones off for an hour.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
I Am So Over Terrorism
It was on the way to Basel from Zurich that I heard the news about the plane that crashed into the high-rise building on the Upper West Side. By that time it had been pretty well established that is was an accident, not OBL making a comeback. But there's no describing the way that I felt when I heard the words, "a plane just crashed into a building in Manhattan."
As I've been globe-trotting these past few months, I've realized that you can never, ever really know what the rules are for what you can and can't bring on board. So, I've just started packing under the strictest guidelines (UK, of course). No liquids of any kind (not even lip balm!), one carry-on back (smaller than the usual standard size), and I am always ready for security (shoes and jacket off, laptop out, pockets empty, adn other bits and pieces securely tucked into my carry on.) Of course, I always get stuck behind the 300 year old woman who hasn't seen a news cast in 20 years.
"But WHY do I have to take my SHOES off???"
Terrorism has some people so freaked out that they carry little emergency terror kits with them. Case in point:
(My friend, Kurt)
I'm still not sure what the goggles are for.
As I've been globe-trotting these past few months, I've realized that you can never, ever really know what the rules are for what you can and can't bring on board. So, I've just started packing under the strictest guidelines (UK, of course). No liquids of any kind (not even lip balm!), one carry-on back (smaller than the usual standard size), and I am always ready for security (shoes and jacket off, laptop out, pockets empty, adn other bits and pieces securely tucked into my carry on.) Of course, I always get stuck behind the 300 year old woman who hasn't seen a news cast in 20 years.
"But WHY do I have to take my SHOES off???"
Terrorism has some people so freaked out that they carry little emergency terror kits with them. Case in point:
(My friend, Kurt)
I'm still not sure what the goggles are for.
Don't Mind If I Fondue
Wednesday, October 11
By the time our meetings ended on Wednesday afternoon, I was ready to collapse. I still had a trek ahead of me as I was going on to Basel after Zurich, but there was plenty of time for a good fondue.
A bunch of us took the train from the Uetliberg to Zurich main station (where Brendan and I stashed our bags) and ventured out into the heart of the city. Where we became almost immediately lost.
Luckily for all, I was not navigating this time and we eventually found the restaurant. Le Dezaley (no idea why it's called that) is in the shadows of a huge church. The staff were friendly, but a bit wary of the ragged bunch of Americans (plus one Columbian) who took over the back of the dining room and ordered 8 orders of cheese and beef fondue.
I guess we were making gluttons of ourselves: when one of my colleagues tried to order and extra appetizer, the young waitress sternly said, "No. You have enough." 'Nuff said.
When the fondue came, we realized she had a point. The vats of bubbling cheese and cooking oils were intimidating at first, but we held our own. By the end of the meal, we were all feeling a bit bloated, so we walked the long way back to the train station and saw a few of the sites by moonlight.
By the time our meetings ended on Wednesday afternoon, I was ready to collapse. I still had a trek ahead of me as I was going on to Basel after Zurich, but there was plenty of time for a good fondue.
A bunch of us took the train from the Uetliberg to Zurich main station (where Brendan and I stashed our bags) and ventured out into the heart of the city. Where we became almost immediately lost.
Luckily for all, I was not navigating this time and we eventually found the restaurant. Le Dezaley (no idea why it's called that) is in the shadows of a huge church. The staff were friendly, but a bit wary of the ragged bunch of Americans (plus one Columbian) who took over the back of the dining room and ordered 8 orders of cheese and beef fondue.
I guess we were making gluttons of ourselves: when one of my colleagues tried to order and extra appetizer, the young waitress sternly said, "No. You have enough." 'Nuff said.
When the fondue came, we realized she had a point. The vats of bubbling cheese and cooking oils were intimidating at first, but we held our own. By the end of the meal, we were all feeling a bit bloated, so we walked the long way back to the train station and saw a few of the sites by moonlight.
The Hills Have Hills
Sunday, October 8
I flew into London from NY on Saturday, just in time to unpack and repack my bags before heading off to Switzerland for a three day strategy meeting.
The meeting is one of those once-a-year, bring everyone together and make them wear funny t-shirts extravaganzas. It was held at a hotel/conference center in Zurich called Uto Kulm. Uto Kulm is in a car-free zone called the Uetliberg and bills itself as the "Top of Zurich." And how.
It was easy enough to get to the Uetliberg. I had (sort of) packed lightly, just one rolling back and my briefcase, so it wasn't hard to get around.
However, I hadn't anticipated that i would have to literally hike up a mountain, bag and baggage, to get to the hotel.
When I got off the train, I looked around for a porter but didn't see anyone. I only saw a sign: "UTO KULM" with an arrow pointing directly up.
So, up I went. At this point, I should note that I was wearing a fabulous shoe (two, actually) that despite the animal print, were entirely useless on this adventure. The hike wouldn't have been so bad if I was wearing appropriate footwear and wasn't lugging 40 pounds of luggage.
At one point, I pulled over to the side of the mountain and emailed a co-worker of mine who was coming the following day. "Pack light," I warned. " I stopped a few more times, pretending to take pictures or read signs that were all in Swiss German, but mostly I was wondering when I had officially lost all semblance of dignity.
Later, some people claimed that we were warned about the mountainous hike, but I maintain that a "5-8 minute walk" bears little resemblance to the alpine endurance test that was the Uetliberg.
Once I made it the top and checked in, I went outside to explore the Top of Zurich. I ran into a colleague and we decided to go up the tower that gets you up to the highest point. (Yes, I willingly climbed 170 additional steps). The view was spectacular.
Afterward, we went to dinner in the hotel. The Swiss love to eat game, so when in Switzerland... I had the deer carpaccio and venison scallopini. I don't know the difference between deer and venison. Maybe one is an elk?
I flew into London from NY on Saturday, just in time to unpack and repack my bags before heading off to Switzerland for a three day strategy meeting.
The meeting is one of those once-a-year, bring everyone together and make them wear funny t-shirts extravaganzas. It was held at a hotel/conference center in Zurich called Uto Kulm. Uto Kulm is in a car-free zone called the Uetliberg and bills itself as the "Top of Zurich." And how.
It was easy enough to get to the Uetliberg. I had (sort of) packed lightly, just one rolling back and my briefcase, so it wasn't hard to get around.
However, I hadn't anticipated that i would have to literally hike up a mountain, bag and baggage, to get to the hotel.
When I got off the train, I looked around for a porter but didn't see anyone. I only saw a sign: "UTO KULM" with an arrow pointing directly up.
So, up I went. At this point, I should note that I was wearing a fabulous shoe (two, actually) that despite the animal print, were entirely useless on this adventure. The hike wouldn't have been so bad if I was wearing appropriate footwear and wasn't lugging 40 pounds of luggage.
At one point, I pulled over to the side of the mountain and emailed a co-worker of mine who was coming the following day. "Pack light," I warned. " I stopped a few more times, pretending to take pictures or read signs that were all in Swiss German, but mostly I was wondering when I had officially lost all semblance of dignity.
Later, some people claimed that we were warned about the mountainous hike, but I maintain that a "5-8 minute walk" bears little resemblance to the alpine endurance test that was the Uetliberg.
Once I made it the top and checked in, I went outside to explore the Top of Zurich. I ran into a colleague and we decided to go up the tower that gets you up to the highest point. (Yes, I willingly climbed 170 additional steps). The view was spectacular.
Afterward, we went to dinner in the hotel. The Swiss love to eat game, so when in Switzerland... I had the deer carpaccio and venison scallopini. I don't know the difference between deer and venison. Maybe one is an elk?
Basel Burger
Thursday, October 12
After the Zurich trip, I headed into Basel for a couple of days of meetings with my clients. Their campus is enormous, and always under construction. I think it will all be done in 2015 or something. Sadly, I won't see it as I'm sure I'll have been canned by that time.
The set up there is that you basically never have to leave the campus. There's a gym, a health center, child care, and lots of resturants and cafes.
I went to the Tapas Bar (imagine!) with my clients where I was treated to a mini cheeseburger. That's a 2Franc coin there for size comparison.
For once, I actually had an evening free to walk around Basel a bit. It's a much lovlier town than I had first thought. My first time through is a blur, but I remember it being a gray blur. Not so this time. Very nice.
After the Zurich trip, I headed into Basel for a couple of days of meetings with my clients. Their campus is enormous, and always under construction. I think it will all be done in 2015 or something. Sadly, I won't see it as I'm sure I'll have been canned by that time.
The set up there is that you basically never have to leave the campus. There's a gym, a health center, child care, and lots of resturants and cafes.
I went to the Tapas Bar (imagine!) with my clients where I was treated to a mini cheeseburger. That's a 2Franc coin there for size comparison.
For once, I actually had an evening free to walk around Basel a bit. It's a much lovlier town than I had first thought. My first time through is a blur, but I remember it being a gray blur. Not so this time. Very nice.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Settling Down
Friday, October 6
Well boys and girls, you are reading the ramblings of an official HOME OWNER! I made settlement on a condo in Sea Isle City, New Jersey today.
It's been in the works for a while. I've been trying to save up to buy an apartment in Manhattan, but the case officially became hopeless when I read that a 1 BR walk-up on my block went for over $650,000. I decided to look into rental properties down the shore. I found a great little 2-BR condo in Sea Isle, just over the bridge from Avalon.
The timing of course, is just perfect since I've moved to London. But my mother is almost as excited as I am to redecorate. Now she has a winter project!
Well boys and girls, you are reading the ramblings of an official HOME OWNER! I made settlement on a condo in Sea Isle City, New Jersey today.
It's been in the works for a while. I've been trying to save up to buy an apartment in Manhattan, but the case officially became hopeless when I read that a 1 BR walk-up on my block went for over $650,000. I decided to look into rental properties down the shore. I found a great little 2-BR condo in Sea Isle, just over the bridge from Avalon.
The timing of course, is just perfect since I've moved to London. But my mother is almost as excited as I am to redecorate. Now she has a winter project!
Friday, October 06, 2006
Bi-Coastal
Thursday, October 5
I'm finally back in NYC after a ridiculous cross-country research trip. The itinerary:
Sunday: NYC to San Francisco
Monday, Tuesday: San Fran in research all day
Tuesday: Red eye from San Fran to Boston
Wednesday: Boston
Thursday: Boston in research all day, back to NYC
Complicating matters- the plague has gotten worse. Including today, I've been sick for 10 days. I finally buckled down and went to an Urgent Care facility in San Fran on Tuesday.
San Francisco On Call Medical Group is a medical practice where the doctors actually make house calls. I found their number on the internet at 2am Tuesday morning and momentarily considered scheduling a house call. It seemed like something out of a Doris Day movie. But ultimately, it just seemed so exhausting. I scheduled an appointment instead.
As I arrived at SFOC, there was a doctor leaving to make a housecall... on a scooter! I was so fascinated.
I only waited a few minutes to see Dr. Sewell, a groovy neo-hippy who greeted me with a very chill: "So, what can possibly keep Hindsley down?" Indeed!
In no time the diagnosis came - "bronchitis, a pretty severe case. Luckily, it's not pneumonia, yet." Perscriptions for a strong course of antibiotics and a vicodin-based cough syrup in hand, I waved a cheery goodbye to the Doc and headed off to the pharmacy.
The pharmacy only had regular codeine-based syrup in stock. I honestly thought that the codeine wouldn't make me drowsy becuase years before I had experienced a "paradoxical effect" and didn't sleep for days. When I came to on the sofa of the research facility, tucked in with a blankie, I realized that I had clearly outgrown my resistance to that sweet nectar of the gods.
Admitting I was beaten, I took Wednesday as an official Sick Day and stayed in my hotel room in Boston.
I'm finally back in NYC after a ridiculous cross-country research trip. The itinerary:
Sunday: NYC to San Francisco
Monday, Tuesday: San Fran in research all day
Tuesday: Red eye from San Fran to Boston
Wednesday: Boston
Thursday: Boston in research all day, back to NYC
Complicating matters- the plague has gotten worse. Including today, I've been sick for 10 days. I finally buckled down and went to an Urgent Care facility in San Fran on Tuesday.
San Francisco On Call Medical Group is a medical practice where the doctors actually make house calls. I found their number on the internet at 2am Tuesday morning and momentarily considered scheduling a house call. It seemed like something out of a Doris Day movie. But ultimately, it just seemed so exhausting. I scheduled an appointment instead.
As I arrived at SFOC, there was a doctor leaving to make a housecall... on a scooter! I was so fascinated.
I only waited a few minutes to see Dr. Sewell, a groovy neo-hippy who greeted me with a very chill: "So, what can possibly keep Hindsley down?" Indeed!
In no time the diagnosis came - "bronchitis, a pretty severe case. Luckily, it's not pneumonia, yet." Perscriptions for a strong course of antibiotics and a vicodin-based cough syrup in hand, I waved a cheery goodbye to the Doc and headed off to the pharmacy.
The pharmacy only had regular codeine-based syrup in stock. I honestly thought that the codeine wouldn't make me drowsy becuase years before I had experienced a "paradoxical effect" and didn't sleep for days. When I came to on the sofa of the research facility, tucked in with a blankie, I realized that I had clearly outgrown my resistance to that sweet nectar of the gods.
Admitting I was beaten, I took Wednesday as an official Sick Day and stayed in my hotel room in Boston.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Photos Trapped in Camera
Lest you both think I have stopped snapping photos at every opportunity- fear not! They are just trapped in my camera because I forgot the cord in London.
I'll go back and add them later and let you know when they're up.
I'll go back and add them later and let you know when they're up.
Long Goodbyes
Saturday, September 30
Today I drove down to Philadelphia in the morning to take Delilah to my Aunt’s place. I’m planning on bringing her with me to London as soon as possible. But, according to the UK, dangerous, infectious Yorkie-Poos pose a serious threat to public health and therefore must serve a sort of quarantine before entering the country.
Getting Delilah travel-ready has been a frustrating and ridiculous process. There is a checklist of tasks to complete and forms to fill out. I already screwed it up once, because I did some of the tasks out of order. I had to start over again which meant that the pooch had to be re-vaccinated for rabies. She was not amused.
So now, hopefully, everything is done. Now begins the 6-month countdown until I can bring her into the UK. I feel worse for me than for her. The next 6 months are going to be full of treats, lots of attentions, and lost of stairs to run up and down.
The cats are another story. I don’t think they would do well with a trip like that. Not to mention that poor Pogo has the Sugar. So, I’ve decided to try and find alternate homes for them for the year. If anyone out there is interested, or knows someone – let me know.
I had lunch with my family while I was down in Philly and then drove right back to NYC for a farewell cocktail party hosted by Barry and Bill in their fabulous W Village pad. It was a very laid-back affair, which I enjoyed because I am still hacking up a lung and not entirely sure what time zone I’m in.
Today I drove down to Philadelphia in the morning to take Delilah to my Aunt’s place. I’m planning on bringing her with me to London as soon as possible. But, according to the UK, dangerous, infectious Yorkie-Poos pose a serious threat to public health and therefore must serve a sort of quarantine before entering the country.
Getting Delilah travel-ready has been a frustrating and ridiculous process. There is a checklist of tasks to complete and forms to fill out. I already screwed it up once, because I did some of the tasks out of order. I had to start over again which meant that the pooch had to be re-vaccinated for rabies. She was not amused.
So now, hopefully, everything is done. Now begins the 6-month countdown until I can bring her into the UK. I feel worse for me than for her. The next 6 months are going to be full of treats, lots of attentions, and lost of stairs to run up and down.
The cats are another story. I don’t think they would do well with a trip like that. Not to mention that poor Pogo has the Sugar. So, I’ve decided to try and find alternate homes for them for the year. If anyone out there is interested, or knows someone – let me know.
I had lunch with my family while I was down in Philly and then drove right back to NYC for a farewell cocktail party hosted by Barry and Bill in their fabulous W Village pad. It was a very laid-back affair, which I enjoyed because I am still hacking up a lung and not entirely sure what time zone I’m in.
Le Deluge
Wednesday, September 27
I flew from Mexico back to NYC for a couple of days. I’m feeling completely overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I still need to do. I need to get Delilah to Philadelphia for her 6-month stay with my Aunt. I need to find temporary homes for my cats. I need to sublet my apartment. Oh, and I have this job. It’s all seeming a bit hopeless. I decided to get a mani/pedi to calm my nerves.
I flew from Mexico back to NYC for a couple of days. I’m feeling completely overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I still need to do. I need to get Delilah to Philadelphia for her 6-month stay with my Aunt. I need to find temporary homes for my cats. I need to sublet my apartment. Oh, and I have this job. It’s all seeming a bit hopeless. I decided to get a mani/pedi to calm my nerves.
Just What Business is This?
Tuesday, Sept 26
Another very early morning. The President of the local office offered to drive our group to our meeting. When we got outside, we found a chauffer-driven, armored, 10-seater SUV. I couldn’t help thinking, “who, exactly, is going to be shooting at us?”
Always eager to make a good impression, I wasted no time in making my presence known to the President and his minions. I had been taking Airborne in a futile attempt to stop the onset of infectious disease. They have this new kind called “on the go!” that you just pour into a bottle of water. I neglected to read the instructions, of course, and poured the effervescent powder into a full bottle of Evian. The resulting geyser of sticky, lime green bubbles that coated the leather seats of the Pres-Mobile certainly got me noticed! The Pres is a bit of a gangster in my opinion. Based on the look he gave me, I felt like I should call my family and tell them to GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!!!.
(Re-enactment Photos; don't try this at home:)
Our meeting went well; they do business very differently down here, so who can say?
(Daniel after the meeting):
I did get to take some daylight pictures of the McCann office:
We worked until about 6 pm (there goes my pool time) and went straight back to the hotel. Did I mention that the Four Seasons give you bottled water to use to brish your teeth? Schmancy!
I was too tired and sick to eat. But, I lucked out and was able to get an appointment at the hotel spa. It was the best thing I’d done all week.
Another very early morning. The President of the local office offered to drive our group to our meeting. When we got outside, we found a chauffer-driven, armored, 10-seater SUV. I couldn’t help thinking, “who, exactly, is going to be shooting at us?”
Always eager to make a good impression, I wasted no time in making my presence known to the President and his minions. I had been taking Airborne in a futile attempt to stop the onset of infectious disease. They have this new kind called “on the go!” that you just pour into a bottle of water. I neglected to read the instructions, of course, and poured the effervescent powder into a full bottle of Evian. The resulting geyser of sticky, lime green bubbles that coated the leather seats of the Pres-Mobile certainly got me noticed! The Pres is a bit of a gangster in my opinion. Based on the look he gave me, I felt like I should call my family and tell them to GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!!!.
(Re-enactment Photos; don't try this at home:)
Our meeting went well; they do business very differently down here, so who can say?
(Daniel after the meeting):
I did get to take some daylight pictures of the McCann office:
We worked until about 6 pm (there goes my pool time) and went straight back to the hotel. Did I mention that the Four Seasons give you bottled water to use to brish your teeth? Schmancy!
I was too tired and sick to eat. But, I lucked out and was able to get an appointment at the hotel spa. It was the best thing I’d done all week.
Trabajar
Monday, September 25
I was up with the birds this morning: conference calls, emails, and then a breakfast meeting with my colleagues before heading off to our local office to put together the presentation for our meeting tomorrow.
The McCann office in Mexico (actually the MRM office) is really beautiful from the outside. Can you imagine working in a place like this?
The day went well, plus or minus a few frustrating developments at the home office, and we worked until about 7:00. My sore throat had developed into a minor case of the plague by that time, so I decided to go to the pharmacy next to the hotel to get some meds. It had just started to get dark, so our local host colleague insisted on coming with me, even though the store was literally 20 yards from the hotel. It’s funny that people think New York City is so dangerous when there are places like this where you can’t be alone outside for any amount of time for fear of kidnappings.
Two of my coworkers, Walter and Daniel:
I was up with the birds this morning: conference calls, emails, and then a breakfast meeting with my colleagues before heading off to our local office to put together the presentation for our meeting tomorrow.
The McCann office in Mexico (actually the MRM office) is really beautiful from the outside. Can you imagine working in a place like this?
The day went well, plus or minus a few frustrating developments at the home office, and we worked until about 7:00. My sore throat had developed into a minor case of the plague by that time, so I decided to go to the pharmacy next to the hotel to get some meds. It had just started to get dark, so our local host colleague insisted on coming with me, even though the store was literally 20 yards from the hotel. It’s funny that people think New York City is so dangerous when there are places like this where you can’t be alone outside for any amount of time for fear of kidnappings.
Two of my coworkers, Walter and Daniel:
Oh, Mexico
Sunday, September 25
I dragged myself out of bed in time to have a little breakfast on the terrace before having to leave for the airport for my flight to Mexico. The flight is 11 hours, which frankly seems a bit extreme. Luckily, I was able to fly business class.
For obvious reasons, the security at Heathrow is insane. When you fly business class, you get to go through “fast track” security at British Airways. But, really, the lines are still incredibly long. I think I’ve gotten the packing down to a system, but I have the reverse luck of the Irish at airports. I’m always getting “randomly” searched. This time, I was pulled out of the security line to go through the super-duper-extra-special x-ray machine. You are required to put your carry-on through the regular x-ray machine and then you have to stand in front of a giant machine and strike two or three superhero poses as the thing scans you for any IEDs you may have hidden in your drawers. I didn’t complain thought, because this ended up getting me through security much more quickly. I just hope I don’t find myself on one of those “Aren’t Regular People Hilarious??” shows on the Beeb.
On airplanes, you pick up everything but boys and money. I landed in Mexico City with a sore throat and several suspicious hairs sticking to my jacket. Again, I was one of the 0.001% of people who get subjected to a random search upon arrival. Really? What do they think I’m smuggling into Mexico?
Before the trip, I had been given a terrifying orientation by a well-meaning colleague on the dangers of Mexico City. The most panic inducing was the story of “Express Kidnappings” wherein a nefarious character intercepts a driver on the way to the airport to pick up a fare and then stands outside customs with a sign with your name on it. Once you are in the car, they drive you to an ATM machine and make you withdraw as much cash as possible. The really ambitious ones keep you until after midnight, and then make you withdraw more cash. Best case scenario, they drive you back to the airport. Worst case… well you get the idea.
As my colleague suggested, I got myself into an authorised taxi. Other colleagues arriving that night reported that their driver had not been kidnapped and that they had made it to the hotel intact. (Lucky!)
The upside of the trip is that we are all staying at the Four Seasons – a fabulous hotel. I’m hoping to get some free time to sit at the pool.
I dragged myself out of bed in time to have a little breakfast on the terrace before having to leave for the airport for my flight to Mexico. The flight is 11 hours, which frankly seems a bit extreme. Luckily, I was able to fly business class.
For obvious reasons, the security at Heathrow is insane. When you fly business class, you get to go through “fast track” security at British Airways. But, really, the lines are still incredibly long. I think I’ve gotten the packing down to a system, but I have the reverse luck of the Irish at airports. I’m always getting “randomly” searched. This time, I was pulled out of the security line to go through the super-duper-extra-special x-ray machine. You are required to put your carry-on through the regular x-ray machine and then you have to stand in front of a giant machine and strike two or three superhero poses as the thing scans you for any IEDs you may have hidden in your drawers. I didn’t complain thought, because this ended up getting me through security much more quickly. I just hope I don’t find myself on one of those “Aren’t Regular People Hilarious??” shows on the Beeb.
On airplanes, you pick up everything but boys and money. I landed in Mexico City with a sore throat and several suspicious hairs sticking to my jacket. Again, I was one of the 0.001% of people who get subjected to a random search upon arrival. Really? What do they think I’m smuggling into Mexico?
Before the trip, I had been given a terrifying orientation by a well-meaning colleague on the dangers of Mexico City. The most panic inducing was the story of “Express Kidnappings” wherein a nefarious character intercepts a driver on the way to the airport to pick up a fare and then stands outside customs with a sign with your name on it. Once you are in the car, they drive you to an ATM machine and make you withdraw as much cash as possible. The really ambitious ones keep you until after midnight, and then make you withdraw more cash. Best case scenario, they drive you back to the airport. Worst case… well you get the idea.
As my colleague suggested, I got myself into an authorised taxi. Other colleagues arriving that night reported that their driver had not been kidnapped and that they had made it to the hotel intact. (Lucky!)
The upside of the trip is that we are all staying at the Four Seasons – a fabulous hotel. I’m hoping to get some free time to sit at the pool.
1-800-ALARM ME
Sunday, September 25 (3AM)
As mentioned previously, the flat comes equipped with an extraordinary inconvenient burglar alarm. I’ve been instructed that I must set the alarm each time I leave the apartment.
The process is this:
- go to kitchen pantry
- locate alarm panel
- key in complicated series of numbers
- panic when alarm begins shrieking and display begins counting down
- wonder if you’ve inadvertently enabled the A-Bomb
- decide to leave anyway – race to the front door
- wait outside the door of the flat to make sure alarm eventually stops wailing
- realize that you’ve left something in the flat
- re-enter flat, set off alarm again
- go back to pantry, the display is counting down again and lights are flashing
- frantically search for the other code that turns the alarm off
- disable alarm, forget why you are back in the flat
- begin process again and repeat until the immigration officers arrive
As mentioned previously, the flat comes equipped with an extraordinary inconvenient burglar alarm. I’ve been instructed that I must set the alarm each time I leave the apartment.
The process is this:
- go to kitchen pantry
- locate alarm panel
- key in complicated series of numbers
- panic when alarm begins shrieking and display begins counting down
- wonder if you’ve inadvertently enabled the A-Bomb
- decide to leave anyway – race to the front door
- wait outside the door of the flat to make sure alarm eventually stops wailing
- realize that you’ve left something in the flat
- re-enter flat, set off alarm again
- go back to pantry, the display is counting down again and lights are flashing
- frantically search for the other code that turns the alarm off
- disable alarm, forget why you are back in the flat
- begin process again and repeat until the immigration officers arrive
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