So long time no post

I'm still in Dubai! Really! And work has been as busy as ever, however, it's changed up a bit. Whereas my job involved traveling every week all over the gulf and eastern Europe, I've been staying in Dubai and Kuwait/Saudi (which are not the most photogenic of cities). With all the political issues in Bahrain, Jordan (which boarders Syria and the Gaza strip), and Egypt's problems I've pretty much been grounded. On the positive side, I've been able to focus on my mature markets, and spend more time on fixing the problems in our Saudi Stores- which are many and complicated. Since the weather in Dubai has cooled to the mid 70's/low 80's with non-stop sunshine all the business groups from the US teams are like "hmmm, I think it's time to visit Dubai!" So I've also been turned into a chauffeur/tour guide for the past three weeks. I'm glad to be heading home in 6 days for Christmas. It is a strange thing sitting here on December 15th, with no snow, no Christmas decorations, and no Christmas music playing anywhere. In an attempt to get into the spirit, I went and bought fresh balsam wallflowers, candles, and have downloaded all my favorite Christmas music from Itunes. It helps a little, but do all that while wearing shorts and polo shirts kindof counter acts all the Christmas feelings. When I get back in January, most of my US business partners are flying back with me to see the big Sale Event, and we are going to travel together around the market, so hopefully we'll get some good pictures, and be able to sight see a bit more. Got to see as much as I can when I get back because I'll be in my last four months (or less) before wrapping up my assignment! Can't believe it has already been 18 months over here! But I'm very much looking forward to being state side again. :-)

Celebrities!!!

There have been a ton more security in my hotel this week since Tuesday and I just figured we had a Sheik or Sheika (prince/Princess) staying in the hotel, and then tonight I walked into the lobby and BOOM- there was 50cent and his entourage!!!!! Seriously! AHH! Just hanging, waiting for their cars! So I looked it up and sure enough- all the music stars for this big concert are staying at the my hotel! http://www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/15363-spot-50-cent-and-nelly-at-dubais-mcgettigans/ WOW! Who knew! And they didnt' even tell us- probably a good idea since I would have been hanging out in the lobby the past two day :-)

Leiden, Netherlands

One of the days we took a train of the city to a smaller town called Leiden. The train was nice, fast, and cheap. Only took us 30 minutes to get there. Daniel had read it was a quaint town with a windmill, so when in Netherlands- we had to see a real windmill. It also was the birth place of Rembrandt which we kindof stumbled upon by just walking around, so that was cool. And you know that bridge over in Holland, MI near dutch village- the white one with the black metal accents- like a drawbridge?? Well guess what- they had one exactly like it in Leiden!

Amsterdam 2

Amsterdam has two of the great museums of the world- the Rijks Museum and the Van Gogh museum. Rijks was under construction, so much to Daniel's liking :-) there was only a "highlights of the museum" exhibit which lasted about 12 galleries rather than the 300+galleries that are normally open. But really it was just what I wanted to see so it worked out great for both of us. There were 5/12 vermeer's on display and the super famous Rembrandt's like his self portrait and Night Watch.

The Van Gogh museum was pretty unbelievable. So many galleries full of Van Gogh- the famous paintings, the unseen paintings, and some amazing surprises. They did not allow pictures in the museum, so that was disappointing so I took a picture of the sign as my memory of the museum, and of course got a lot of souvenirs in the gift shop.

Amsterdam1

At the end of August I headed up to Amsterdam for a week of vacation. Daniel flew in from Columbus, and it was actually the same flight time for both of us- so really was a "meet in the middle". We spent a whole week which was the perfect amount of time. The city was so walk-able that we didn't take a taxi the entire week. Weather was amazing- cool but sunny. It only rained once in the afternoon and it was a quick storm so we got a beer and was over before we knew it. We stayed at the Hotel Pulitzer- a hotel that is 22 row houses joined together to create this awesome hotel! We had a top floor suite which had peaked roofs in the living room and bedroom and a fun little loft above the living room. It was like staying in a little cottage with the low ceilings then peaked gables- will definitely be staying there again if we go back. The bulk tulip bulbs were in the "floating flower market" It was so cool to see all the vendors selling bulbs like it was a fresh fruit market. They really do love their tulips here.

Warsaw, Poland

I know, I know, I haven't posted in weeks. I feel like I haven't been at my apt in Dubai for more than 36 hrs at any given time the past month. Daniel and I headed out to Amsterdam the end of August, then I hosted the US brand team in the middle east for a week, then we all went to Istanbul for a week and now I'm in Warsaw, Poland for our new country brand launch! I'll post the pictures of Amsterdam and Istanbul this week as I'm finally FINALLY going to be in Dubai for the week- and everyone is flying back to the US tonight! (deep breath! ahhhhh) It will be so nice to be in one place for a while.

So, Warsaw. I'm sitting outside at a starbucks in the old town, it's only 48 degrees out (10C), and I'm taking it all in because when I land in Dubai in 12 hrs it will 90+degrees and humid. Warsaw is a blend of a few old and alot of new--- new being 1980's, and a few new skyscrapers under construction. There are large areas where there is nothing- just grass, weeds, and then a few buildings, and then more open areas. When I asked about it they said it was from WW2- most of the city was destroyed, then the city was under Russia so communist era had no money to rebuild the city, so they ended up with all these vacant areas. This is also why the city is such a mix of very little old and a 1980's. There aren't hardly any heritage sites, very few museums, and maybe 8 churches that are historic. Compared to Vienna, or Prague it looks like a city you'd find in the midwest. I know- you're probably thinking "what?? The midwest?" but sitting here, in a starbucks, with an ING bank building across the street, with a few hotels along the street and a strip mall looking building around the corner, it really does feel like "just another city". It is also different to not see tourists. I have only once in the 5 days of being here seen 1 person with a camera outside the old town square which is in the picture above. That is the one area that was left in tact for the most part after the war. Otherwise, there are no groups walking around, no tour buses lining the side streets. It is a real, working class city. And I have to say it is refreshing. They are all really nice, people say hi to each other in the hotel, the group of associates I trained were all very polite and hard working and so excited for our new stores. The food is good- a mix of bavaria (bratwurst, beer, potatoes), perogies, and then the normal chain restaurants like McDonalds, BK, and KFC... no Chili's though, but I survived :-) Currency is the Polish Zl, not on the Euro- so I will have yet another envelope of a foreign currency in my safe! Seriously- I have 10 envelopes now! Our stores here look so good, the newest of new concept where they are wallpapered with our new 'blue and white' gingham pattern, and they are all located within the 50' of the mall entrances. Alot of good things going for us here. I'm really looking forward to the opening and seeing how the press events go. For sure we will be the sexiest, most fun store Poland has ever seen! :-)

Prague 2

Because Prague was a communist state for a while, the metro looked just like the Moscow Metro. Super steep and fast escalators into stations, and old metal subway cars.

The city has many Baroque churches with all this over the top decoration. Really gorgeous. The town has both Baroque style decoration and the bare style Gothic churches which is cool because you see both periods of architecture.

Prague, Czech Repubic

For my last Ramadan getaway I headed to Prague. Another great city that has cheap beer, bratwurst, and historic sites galore; more of my people. The weather was great all four days that I was there- in the 70's and no humidity. Also, I got lucky and the flight was overbooked on the way there so I got a complimentary upgrade which was stellar because it was a 6.5 hr flight. When I first got there, I was put on edge a bit by the graffiti- it was everywhere, and that the streets were really complex but after a few hours it was all better. My first full day there I took a 6hr group walking tour which was the best. I got to see a little of each of the 4 areas of the city, included a boat tour, "real" Czech lunch, and a bus ride up to the Prague Castle. For lunch I tried the local Goulash. It was ... not what I assumed it would be- and potato dumpling which are basically just a loaf of bread sliced into pieces. It was a great four days overall. Loved the city, all the different quarters, and the prices were sooo cheap compared to Dubai- it was like the vacation paid for itself!

Basilica Cistern

Funny thing- my first time here I had a guided tour with Matt the marketing guy. Our guide took us to the two Basilica's and then to this tourist trap rug store where we saw "a cistern" (water reservoir). When the franchise group asked how we liked the basilica cistern we were like "eh- it was ok." and they were totally shocked that we weren't in AWE of the Cistern. Turns out, he did not take us to "THE BASILICA CISTERN" he took us to this mud pit under the furniture store. So, this trip I found the real one, and it was absolutely the best site outside the Hagia Sophia that I've ever seen. The Cistern is vast with over 300 columns which are lit with red lights which creates a surreal environment. At the far end of the cistern there are two Medusa Head's on the bast of the columns. There is a lot text about it online and in the guide books, but no real conclusion as to where they came from, or why they were used.

Hagia Sophia Mosaics

Again, love this new camera. Pictures of the Mosaics up close which are some of the most beautiful in the world, and are from 400ad. Outside the Hagia Sophia the tree's are blooming with the sweetest smelling blooms. The whole area between the two basilica's smells like skittles.

Hagia Sophia again

For being in Istanbul as much as I have been the past year, I've only been to the Hagia Sophia once. Shame Shame Shame I know. This weekend I went back on my own. Having a guided tour is nice once in a while, but having all the time you want to just stare and walk around to the most boring corners was great. I spent three hours there and just enjoying the building and the mosaics. With my new camera the zoom and pixels are SOO much better than my previous pictures so thought I would share these as well.

Weekend Getaway

This weekend I had to get out and have some fun, so flew back to Istanbul. I stayed in a new part of town called Etilier on the north end of the European side. New hotel, new neighborhood, and new experience. It was fantastic and just what I needed. I learned how to use the tram system as this is on the far end of town, and got to be a tourist which I haven't done in a long time. Hotel was only 2 months old, and part of starwoods group so I got to use up some points for my stay and my room and view was stunning!

Ramadan, Again

Well I have waited long enough to post about it- but it is Ramadan again here in the Middle East. Luckily I was in Turkey for the first 10 days, eating and drinking like a ravenous animal knowing that I wouldn't be having any of it when I got back to Dubai. I was ok when I returned- for about 3 days, and then I was online trying to find flights to anywhere in Europe that I could go using my points. Luckily I have secured 2 long weekend trips that will help me get through the final 20 days of Ramadan. It is also the hottest months of the year here, so with the no eating, or drinking, it is 110-120 degrees out, and to top it off there are sandstorms- almost everyday!! A particularly bad one hit yesterday when I was driving from my office to Dubai Mall, so attached are the pictures from the car. It was sooo sandy that you almost need goggles because sand gets in your eyes, mouth, and it gets in your hair, and clothes... it's gross. The other piece of Ramadan is "alcohol free". I live in a free-zone as it is called, where expats can run a-muck with our normal sinful activities, and so I was shocked when I went to the pool my first night back and the bar was closed! WHAT? How am I supposed to enjoy the pool without a Peroni? So I got back to my room and ordered a bottle of wine from Room service- and the guy comes to my door with it hidden in his suit jacket! I mean really?? It was like I was doing an illegal drug deal- in a five star hotel, in the freezone, I would never imagine I would have to go to such lengths to have a drink... reading this back- I assume a person might have said "I'll just have a diet coke", but it has been a tough week at work- I'm not an alcoholic- really-- really. :-) Looking forward to my weekend in Istanbul coming up- only supposed to be in the 80's, and no sandstorms. :-)