Thursday 8-24-04

Naples, FL @client site

This weekend was hectic- the end of the school term, catching up on past work projects, cleaning the filthy house, and a family havan in Orlando on Sunday.   Not only did I have all that, but the weekend ended with driving 4.5 hours Sunday evening to arrive at the client so I can began this vicious workweek cycle all over again.  Yippee!  I am finally feeling the pressure of work and school…didn’t take too long.  Work seems to be piling up with all this Sarbanes-Oxley drudgery knocking on our door and the professors don’t seem to care.  Both of these stresses, along with trying to have a social life (anyone care to help?) and see the family, are giving me wrinkles and I am aging rapidly like a canine.  Woof woof-

Classes and exams went well.  I will know for sure this coming week when I get my “report card.”  It’s been ages since I received a report card; it is strange to fall back into that school cycle.  And of course my parents want me to bring it home so they can either scold me or decorate the refrigerator and gloat to all their friends who really don’t care.  I am shooting for the gloating!  There is no need to go into detail about school, same old: listened to lectures, took an exam, studied until the wee hours of the morning for another exam, took that exam, handed in my term research project (on Sarbanes Oxley, who would of guessed), got onto a plane to come back to Tampa.  THE END…until September 13^th.

Sunday was wonderful.  I drove to Orlando super early in the morning, making a pit stop in Lakeland to pick up Bhumi U’s father-in-law.  He was up all night playing bridge with the Patel Mafia (as he calls his buddies from Zambia)…but they assured me no exchange of money occurred…yea sure!  I am going to beg to differ, Lakeland is a sleepy town and it is more interesting to say there is a Patel Gambling Ring -makes Polk County sound dangerous and mysterious…ok maybe not, but lets just humor me.  I reached home, quickly dressed into an Indian outfit and got the kids ready in their garb.  They looked absolutely precious.  We headed to the havan, a religious ceremony that is performed for good luck and thanking god for the blessings that the family has recently experienced.   I have noted, most people have havan’s after they buy a new house, have a child or grandchild, or overcome an illness.  It was nostalgic to see the entire M family there.  All my aunts, uncles, cousins, and cousins’ children were in one place.  I am still amazed that we have over 90 people in our immediate family--it is mind-boggling.  There were a few funny moments.  My dad’s younger brother and his wife sponsored this event.  So they were sitting in the havan and performing the religious ceremony, while the rest of us sat and listened to gain knowledge and be blessed by their actions.  Only in this age would the person participating in the ceremony receive cell phone calls and answer them.  My aunt must have received at least 15 calls in a one-hour time span, and each time you would hear the “It’s a Small World” tune and then a quick low toned “hello.”  The call topics ranged from “I need directions” to “What are you serving for lunch, I’m famished!”  It was amusing to say the least.

In addition, at events such as this, you have to do something to keep the kids entertained.  Rena and Devan were amused listening to our uncle talk about religious stories.  They also enjoyed striking a pose when the cameras snapped pics of them.  However, after 15 minutes, the exhilaration went missing.  They began to run around the mandir (temple) screaming, “you’re it,” or “you can’t catch me, nana nana boo boo.”  Bhumi U a little flustered took control of the situation and set up bingo for the kids…and of course I participated.  I am all about a little game of B-I-N-G-O.  The crowd must have been a little confused, first they hear “It’s a Small World” then screams of “Bingo” and then subsequently after the bingo scream, they hear “Noooooo, I want to win, why does he have to win, he cheated…I hate this game, I am not playing, you are mean…I want to go home….why are we here, I am hungry, I need to go to the bathroom.” You know the usual Hindu ceremony chatter. 

The ceremony lasted about 3 hours and then it was food time.  The food was spectacular…once again I received my fix of Indian food.   I left early and went home to re-pack and leave for Naples.  I was exhausted, due to the lack of sleep and I didn’t want to risk a 4.5-hour drive.  I followed my sis to her house, she is the half way mark, took a 45 minute nap in the kids room, woke up, and ate pizza and salad.  I was refreshed and ready to head to Naples. 

Naples has been a so-so experience.   I am glad that I am not the only one on-site this week.  An audit senior from the Tampa office and a Senior Manager from the Baltimore office have graced their presence.  They both are fun people to be around.   Todd, the senior manager, and I grabbed dinner last night at my favorite Mexican place, Cilantro Tamales.  I think I converted him into a Mexican feign as well.  The good news is, today is my last day on-site for the week.  Tomorrow afternoon, the entire Tampa team hops on Delta and heads to Atlanta to be wined and dined at the Chateau Elan.  Our company has their “office meetings/retreats” yearly as a perk for the employee and a means to update all of us on sales, revenue, profit, and personal goals for 2005.  However, ever since I have been onboard Uncle Pete’s bandwagon, the economy hasn’t weathered well, so the golf/spa benefit was the first to be axed.  Well now that we are doing phenomenal, the games are back on--the girls get their pretty feet pampered and guys get to show off their sexy swings…and don’t forget simultaneously enhancing our gluttonous life style…another Cape Cod for the lady please-

Tuesday 8-17-04

Naples, Florida @ client site

Yesterday, after leaving the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was a stressful day.  I had called our company travel service on Sunday to book a hotel room for Monday thru Thursday in Naples.  They told me that currently most of the hotels did not have power but FPL assured the customers and hotel owners that power will be regained by Monday morning.  The travel agent asked me to call again Monday afternoon and there should be a plethora of rooms.  I called hoping I would get the Hilton that is directly across the client—I am a glutton for their free hot breakfast, all the eggs and pancakes my tummy desires.  Moreover, they are one of the few chains that offer points and miles for your stay!! They advised me the Hilton was still closed and they searched in a 28-mile radius and NOTHING, ZERO, ZILCH came up!  I started panicking, sweat dripped from my forehead, the thought of me sleeping in my car made me nauseous…. the thought of me on a cot at the YMCA made me even more nauseous.  I knew I could always call my uncle who lived 15 miles away.  I called my dad to get his house number and he told me that they haven’t had power since Friday so they have been sleeping at his hospital.  Now I was irritated, I didn’t feel clean, my hair was curly because the hair straighter won’t work, and my body was begging to have a hot shower and sleep on 800 count Egyptian cotton sheets.  I decided to de-stress with some Mexican food and grabbed an Art Vandalay burrito from Moe’s.  Papa calls back with an amazing idea; he tells me to find a high-end hotel.  He had very intelligent reasoning.  The hotels that did have power were at capacity due to all the residents who didn’t have power at home.  So, most residents just needed a place to sleep and clean up.  Thus, they would try to find a mid-tier hotel that wasn’t too pricey to accommodate their needs.  Nobody is going to pay $300 for the Ritz or the Inter Continental to take a shower and sleep for 6 hours. Side fact: Naples is the only city in Florida to have TWO Ritz Carlton’s in a 10-mile radius.  So, I called the Ritz, which is less than a mile from the client, and they had 4 rooms available.  I crossed my fingers and chanted some mantra in hopes I wouldn’t be breaking the clients piggy bank.  To my surprise the “ocean room view” was only $179!  I decided to opt out of the $750 Presidential Suite, even though it had its own Jacuzzi, weight room, and made to order breakfast (that might have been worth the $550).  Even the regular Ritz room was a lot compared to my corporate rate at the Hilton, $75…however desperate situations cause for desperate measures, and pansy me made sure to approve it with my manager.   The Ritz is a wonderful place…they sure like to pamper me.  Whenever they call the room their salutations always has my name, “Good morning Ms. M, Ms. M your car is ready, Would you like coffee with your breakfast Ms.M”.  Also, they have a small thank you note in the room waiting for me telling me how special I am (I am a sucker for “Avani is special notes”)…and last but not least the view from the balcony is just remarkable.  Naples is a beautiful place to live…no wonder everyone comes down here to retire.  They have astonishing restaurants, beautiful hotels, and the beach is to die for. I know where I will be come 65.

The workday was usual.  It was tough getting back to my regular routine.  I am working with this Telegu man, Sathyay, from the client’s parent company in Baltimore (NavP, he has a 22 year old daughter).  I want to call him uncle because that is how my parents raised me, but I am sure he would feel uncomfortable so I just don’t call him, and if I need him I use “hey you”, “excuse me”, “pardon,” “uhh-humm” and most of the time he looks up.  He moved to the US from India in 1996.  He is in his mid 50’s and used to be an auditor for the Indian Embassy and TaTa financials (J.K., you used to work with them, right?).  He is such a funny man, he says these really cheesy jokes and I always miss the punch line or don’t understand them so I have a 45 second laugh lag.  His face brightens up like a light bulb when I laugh…now and then I try to snort so he thinks he is that much more funny, it works.  Also, for some reason he keeps showing me pictures of his 19-year-old son, it is a little uncomfortable and illegal I think.  One picture was of his son when he was 3 years old taking a bath…that is definitely breaking some law, somewhere.  I continue telling him I am 23 and not interested, but he sure is a persistent little man!  During lunch today he gave me ‘the age is only a number when you find your life partner’ speech.   Oh my, someone bail me out when I go to jail please.

Monday 8-16-04

Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte, Florida @ Hurricane Emergency Operations Center

Thursday 08-12-04 

Santa Fe, Mexico @ Tupperware HQ

Last night was a perfect ending to mi semana.  Raj and Mario, our friends from the Indian restaurant, emailed me and asked if we would like to head into the city tonight because we were preoccupied last night.  I was a little hesitant after my shenanigans at Orica, however GC put the peer pressure on and as usual I caved.  I mean it was this chica’s last day in Mexico; I had to exit with a big bang.  We headed to our hotel, I ordered room service so I could pack and take a shower.  Raj’s car and his driver, Pepe (sweet man) picked us up at 9:30 at the Novatel.  We started off the night at one of my favorite chain of hotels, the W in Mexico City.  It was very cosmopolitan and filled with the usual suspects:  lots of leggy Latin ladies and tall, dark and handsome designer suited men in a hot pursuit of their next victim.  Then we headed over to another bar, not sure what it was called, but they had this rock, punk, Enya type of Mexican band.  We had a few drinks and headed back to the W…it wasn’t what I was used to.  By then, Mario met us at the bar; he had forgotten he had a date with his “lady friend.”

Today isn’t a good health day.  I think Montezuma got her revenge because this tum tum isn’t functioning properly.  Thanks to Dr. Bhumi U…who said I would survive and worst case, when I get to Chicago she will call in the good stuff.

Today work is a half-day.  I am wrapping up this project and waiting for the driver to take me to el aeopuerto.  I sit here contemplating what a sad day today is.  I wish I had a chance to go see Xochimilco (the Aztec pyramids), more of downtown Mexico D.F, and trip to Cancun and try to audition for “Girls Gone Wild Mexicano Style.”  But alas…I have to say adios to la cuidad de Mexico…but hopefully, cross our fingers, Uncle Pete will need me back.  But for now I head to the windy city for a little learnin’, livin’, and a whole lotta lovin’.

Wednesday 08-11-04 

Santa Fe, Mexico @ Tupperware HQ

Yesterday, the rest of the afternoon at the plant went better than I expected.  I had a few ‘comunicado’ problems, but through sign language, pretty stickman pictures, and some miming the day came to a nice end.  However, it was a long, we didn’t leave the plant until 730pm and drove for an hour.  I finally had an opportunity to take some pictures of the city. Once you enter and leave Toluca there is this huge statue of a man on a horse wearing a sombrero, we asked the driver and he informed us it was Pancho Villa.  For those who are not aware, Pancho Villa is the rebel general of the Mexican Revolution who invaded US territory and led American solders on a wild goose chase all over the harsh Mexican countryside for months.  I will try to get a link to these pictures soon.

We reached the hotel and I made my daily calls to the rents and some friends (shout out to pumpkie poo-poo).  Then dolled myself up to meet GC downstairs for some authentic Mexican food.  Monday night while walking to the Indian restaurant we saw some Taco places that looked really swanky.  We ended up eating at Taco Inn, I know doesn’t sound very authentic. A man named Tonatiuth, which as many of you know is the Aztec god of the sun, seated us and walked us through the menu.  This was the first place we have been that had ‘real’ salsa, sour cream, and chips!  Dios Mio, I felt like I was dining at Don Pablos.  But the food was absolutely delish, far better than any Mexican food I have had in the states.  We ordered three dishes and cleaned each one out.  I think GC even started licking the place; he is a junkie for sour cream!

While doing some research online I found there was a bar/restaurant called the Ostrica close to where we were staying and the famous Taco Inn.  We walked in, and as usual the place was empty.  I ordered a Corona and GC ordered a Bombay and tonic (my suggestion).  The bartender’s English was impeccable.  I asked his upbringing and he told me he was born in France and studied English there.  His mother is Mexican, his father Lebanese, and both maternal and paternal grandfathers were French.  It was an interesting combo, at the end of his family tree soliloquy he told me everyone says he looks like a terrorist, I concurred!  Then there was a man sitting next to me who’s English was well, as well!  He was half French and half Mexican, named Giancarlo (how ironic), and his brother bartends during lunch.  He was currently studying international law at a well-established university in Santa Fe.  He convinced me to try Mexico’s finest--tequila.  Also, he offered me some Tequila Teachings.  I learned that the agave leaf is how tequila is made, and most of the tequilas you buy in the states are not 100% agave due to the distilling, it is very tedious and expensive.  Hence, when you go to a liquor store in Mexico, you will see $US500 bottles of Jose Cuervo that are 100% agave.  To rich for my blood, or I thought.  GC and I must have made a good impression on these two young muchachos, or they were trying to make our Mexican experience a winner…or they liked GC (I am going for the latter).  Well, we did kind of a wine tasting, however the drug of choice here was high-end tequila.  No details will be provided…for now.  We made sure to leave and head back to our hotel around 11:30, our new friends tried to convince us to go to a place called BarBar, however we respectfully declined.  I knew I had enough of Mexico for the night and needed to get some zzz’s .

This morning, surprisingly, we made it to the client at 7:30 for my last full day or work.  So, it is crunch time…hasta luego mis amigos.

Tuesday 08-10-04 

Toluca, Mexico @ Tupperware Manufacturing Plant

 “When in Mexico do as the Mexicans.”  Lets just say I didn’t follow that adage too well last night.  Quick synopsis of yesterday at work.  The day went pretty well, my fears of not being able to communicate with the employees and not producing quality work subsided quickly.  I couldn’t believe how well my “r” began to role.  I think my brain knew it was either fight or flight and I decided to fight—because flight would have caused unemployment!  However, today is a different story, I will get into this a little later.

After a long day at work, almost 13 hours…I was ready to lounge around in my hotel, get into my pj’s, and watch some Telemundo…actually they had dubbed re-runs of Facts of Life—go Tooty.  However, GC decided we should at least grab some dinner.  So while our driver was taking us from the client to the hotel we were brainstorming on food venues.  We somehow began talking about Indian weddings and GC told me he loved Indian food.  Leave it up to me to find the only Indian joint in Mexico, but lo and behold I did.  Kohinoor (means diamond) was also in Santa Fe, only 7 blocks from our hotel on calle de Guierrmo Gonzales.  So, we quickly changed and met downstairs, Vivian decided she couldn’t handle a few more hours with us consultants, so she did room service.  After speaking with the concierge he said it was semi-safe to walk there as long as it was light outside and we did the buddy system, but we have to call him on our way back because it was muy peligroso.  We went on our merry way…I was scared.  Here is a story of why.  We initially lived in Deltona when we moved from Chicago to Florida.  I was riding my bike (it had training wheels) with my kaki and kaka, maybe my sister Bhumi was there.  I was going down this windy road and from nowhere this huge black lab comes and attacks me.  Ok, he didn’t really attack me, but I got so scared, I think I fell over my self and he came over and licked my face and sniffed me.  Well, ever since then, I have a fear of big black dogs and I can’t ride a bike.  Anyways, on our walk there were big black stray dogs just running around.  GC told me to stay calm because they could smell fear.  Then all of a sudden we hear this loud barking in the hill next to us and it was like a clip from 101 Dalmatians…all the dogs in Mexico City came running to the hill, no lie, about 15 or so, and they started a dog brawl.  I saw some short men putting money on it…how strange.  I quickly ran to cross the street.  We finally made it the restaurant, rabies free and it was completely empty.  We learned that the Mexicans do not usually eat dinner; they have a heavy lunch and then light bread and butter for dinner.  But GC and I were ready to chow on some channa masala and chicken makhani.  While sitting in there alone we see two other Americans come in and sit behind us.  The dinner was phenomenal, the best Indian food I have had in a long time—sans Bharti Mehta’s Kitchen of Love and Bhumi U’s Food for the Soul.  We were just finishing our drinks and the two men from the table behind us come to our table.  They introduce themselves as Americans, and again leave it to me to find the only Indian guy in Mexico, Raj and his Cuban friend Mario.  Ironically Mario and I were at the same hotel in Miami when I was working there for 3 months.  Raj and Mario wanted to know if we were going to be hanging out after dinner.  We said we were going to grab a couple of drinks around the corner at la Mexicano Cantina.  They were eager to join us.  The Cantina was interesting…draped with sombreros and different colored ponchos, but my favorite was they constantly replayed the techno version of all of Belinda Carlisle’s songs.  Still can’t get “Heaven is a
Place on Earth” out of my head.   We learned that Raj and Mario have been in Mexico City every week since 2002 working on a system integration for HSBC.  Perfect we thought, they could tell us some hot spots.  They agreed to be our tour guide tonight when we venture into the abyss known as Mexico City.   The plan is to do sushi and then head to a real discothèca.  I am a little hesitant but we will see how it goes.  We left the Cantina and even though everyone told us not to walk alone, Raj and Mario assured me I would be safe with three muchachos walking with me…I was ready to call my buddy Jose, but they said I was overreacting.  We arrived at the hotel safely and I went to bed.

This morning we did not go to the Tupperware Sales office, instead we ventured to a city 45 miles outside of Santa Fe called Toluca.  Toluca is a home to several pharmaceutical manufacturing plans and several back office IT centers for some big hitter banks.  It was an interesting ride; we had an opportunity to see “real Mexico.”  Houses made of mud, cows roaming the street…it was very different from the ritzy Sante Fe.  When arriving at the plant you wouldn’t think they made plastic containers, but more like missiles.  All you could see was huge steel gates, guards with machine guns, and a “securidad” check point where they took our ID’s, wrote our laptop info down, snapped a picture of us--I was surprised they didn’t finger print me.  Vivian and GC set up interviews and left me in the “auditors” room.  All of a sudden the lights go out and the alarm starts ringing.  Here I am, alone in the room and two young woman come in and say “vamanos vamanos.”  I couldn’t help but laugh because I am alone, not knowing what is going on, and nobody speaks a word of English out in Toluca.  So, I make my way down the stairs and see my party and we wait it out until it is safe to go back.  They said it was an electrical glitch and we were fine to return to work.  Now I sit here waiting anxiously for the inevitable meeting with the non English-speaking Controller.  Ah caramba, deséeme suerte!!

Monday 08-09-04  12 pm

Sante Fe, Mexico City @ Tupperware HQ

I am new to this blog phenomenon, however you can thank this great person ;) for introducing me to this amazing concept/craze/mania.  This is for all of my friends and family who constantly tell me that they don’t know what is going on with my life or don’t know what city I am in because I am a slave to the man.  Well, now you can be up to date about my life, travels, and most importantly my locale.  Be forewarned this isn’t always glitz and glamour-which you will soon find out!

Let the races begin.  Thursday August 5 during the day, while enjoying my time in the Tampa office, chit chatting with the admin assistants and stocking up on mechanical pencils and the new pink highlighter that seemed to be the talk at the elevator bank, I received a text message from the boss, Peter, who advised me that I might be making a trip to Mexico City.  I was excited; my first thought, Taco bell is my favorite fast food, I will be in heaven!  Also, how can I not be excited, I love enchiladas, sangrias, and Enrique Iglesias (I know he isn’t Mexican, but I do love him).  However, the excitement turned into an ulcer and a stress attack.  I was originally going to be in Naples, FL for a client and then taking Thursday and Friday off and flying to the windy city to take a certification class and hang out with some friends and family for the weekend.  However, Peter crashed my hopes and dreams and advised me that my week/weekend plans are a no go because the client in Mexico City is top priority and I am the closest thing to a Mexican consultant in Tampa (not sure what that means). Who-hoo! Well, because of my persistence and aggressive attitude I fought back and Peter approved my trip to Chicago (ok, no persistence or aggression, more of whining, sobbing, and pleaing).  So, it turned out not to be so bad.  I will still get to see the Sears Tower but on the same token walk the mean streets of Mexico City and eat some traditional Taco Bell meal deals and maybe stock up on my supply of low-grade tequila. 

I landed in Mexico City last night at about 10pm.  The flight was ehhhh, pleasant?!  The plane wasn’t what I was expecting, it was small and seemed like it was the first Aero Mexico prototype.  It had no A/C vents and each seat had an ashtray and I think mine was full from 1985. The company next to me was pleasant though.  A man in his 40’s who was a constitutional lawyer in Mexico City and his 18-month-old son Bruno-they just came back from a week trip to see Mickey and the rest of the family decided to bask in the Florida sun for one more week.  Oh, just in case anyone was curious, Bruno does not mean strong, I asked and he gave me the most confused look.  Bruno was a lively little Mexican, he didn’t cry at all and he even learned my name by the end of the trip…well close enough I was La Ava.  Also, he had this infatuation with my laptop and occasionally, when I wasn’t looking pressed the delete button, but it was well worth it.  Bruno’s dad gave me a long listing of “los lugares para comer y colocar para bailar” (places to eat and places to show off my new dance moves, Bruno was sweet enough to show me some Mexican two steps).

Customs and Immigrations was smooth sailing.  We quickly found our driver carrying a large “Tupperware” sign and we piled into our VW station wagon…not the limo I was told we would be taking.  Giancarlo, a coworker from the Tampa office, and Vivian an employee from the Tupperware office in Orlando, were my partners in crime for the coming week.  We took a nice scenic drive (saw lots of stray dogs) to our hotel in Santa Fe called the Novatal.  The area is considered the área exclusiva, elegante y rica (the rich and exclusive part of town). 

I checked into the hotel and met GC for some grub and then quickly went to bed knowing we would have an early morning and a long day.