Bangkok Day1

Wow, what a day. I started with a walk around the hotel's neighborhood when it was still nice and quiet. I got a city map with the all the metro lines and away I went! My goal was to see the Grand Palace which is the biggest royal complex in the world- bigger than Versailles if you can believe that (or so they say). I could have taken a taxi, but wanted to experience the city so I took the metro which was super cheap- only $1.09 each way! I then had to take a water-taxi to the palace complex which took another 30 minutes but only cost $5.00 for an entire day pass up and down the river.

Thailand!

I got on a plane today and 6hrs later, I was going through passport control in Bangkok. Last week I realized that I only have 8weeks left in Dubai and that started me thinking- what if?? I have been living by the motto of "no regrets" for a long time, abused it sometimes to validate ridiculous purchases, but this instance was one of real "no regrets" moments. I have never thought of going to this part of Asia, but then in Kuwait the operations manager was telling me how wonderful it is, and I had to go. I went home and every day looked at the airfare and hotels for 4 days, sometimes multiple times through the day, but every day I said "no, not going". Then I realized that if I don't go now, i'll never go. It was only 6hrs to get to Bangkok- I looked up how long it would take to get there from Columbus, and it would take 40hrs travel time!!!!! I'd have to fly Columbus to Denver, Denver to SanFran, SanFran to Tokyo, Tokyo to Bangkok, plus all the times for the layovers, and then the time changes... So when I realized that I hit the BUY button. Bangkok is another 3hrs earlier than Dubai, so when i arrived it was already 7pm and dark, so not much sight seeing on the plane as we landed. The airport was a breeze to navigate, everything is in English and passport control was only 5 minutes- no fee for the Visa on Arrival, and I was at the baggage racks in no time. Much to my shock as the driver opened the driver's side rear door for me- I was like "oh- this is how you do it here??" and I see the drivers seat moved up to the very front of the car- and I laughed- and thought "ha- they are tiny here, but that is ridic!" Then as I sat down I realized they drive on the other side of the road! LOL I was imagining this little guy sitting in front of me squished up against the steering wheel- ha, awe, I felt ignorant. It is an odd feeling sitting on the other side of the car, and having the "fast lane" be on the far right of the road- I don't think I have ever sat in a car that the driver was on the right side. My hotel is ok, it's my first time staying at an ALoft Hotel. It's in a busy part of town, lots of tourists. I didnt' see any westerners the whole drive into the Sukhumvet neighborhood, then we turn down the street of the hotel and they there were! It's like a ghetto of white westerners in this one little area. One the one hand, it's comforting, one the other- it's not "really" bangkok. All the restuarants are "Aussie Pub" "British Food" "German Beerhaus", and they go all they way down the street. Being that it was already so late, I just had a beer, and walked around the streets of the hotel. I'll head out tomorrow to see some of the historical sites and get to see the real Bangkok!!!

Kuwaits New Mall (continued)

The pictures are of the main avenue, and the court that connects the old and new mall. The main avenue looks like a big mainstreet- disneyland esq. Because it gets to be 125 degrees in the summer, they had to build a huge glass roof with shades to keep the sun back and keep the place air-conditioned. Pretty cool- a first for the middle east.

Kuwait's new Mall

I've been out traveling my market this week and have ended the week in Kuwait. The new phase of "The Avenues" is finally open, and it looks amazing. Really built to the local tastes- lots of gold and copper finishes, the Harvey Nichols is so Over the Top with the gold front and gold interior is "THE" centerpiece of the main avenue. The Super High End area has the most gorgeous dome, just stunning.

New City! Doha

So I am in Doha tonight. I was in Saudi Arabia this week visiting stores. Flights back into Dubai were impossible to get, so I had to connect through Doha to get home. I was excited when I first book the ticket 1- because I have never been to Doha, and 2- because I got to fly on Qatar Airways which is "the worlds first 5 star airline." As I've said before, my days are super long when I travel and visit stores. So I started my day with an 8am breakfast meeting with the Riyadh Exec team. Then, we traveled stores for 6 hrs, then I headed to the airport. Flight delayed 2 hrs, means I missed my connecting flights, no problem, they re-booked me on the midnight flight. Which, with the 1hr time difference, means I'll land at 2am. Go through customs, and a 40 minute cab ride back to my house, I'll be home probably around 330am. I did have some moments of humor in this 22hr work day that are worth mentioning. (although this is hour 18, so maybe they are just funny to me because I'm exhausted- so sorry if not hilarious :-)

This picture is of the line- the line to get into the airport in Riyadh. This was far more unpleasant than I anticipated knowing that it was going to be busy as all flights were booked. I had gotten there early enough that I just got in line, and was going to be good- ei not be looking for the security guard who would see I was a white business man in a suit and pull me to the front of the line. (I am moving back in a few months, need to learn to be normal again.) As I'm waiting in line I hear "sir- you- sir- in the suit- come!" And sure enough a guard is waving me up while everyone- even women with children are looking at the spectacle that is me. I wave him off- no- "lala- shackrun" I say in arabic, to which he continues to yell and wave me in and then starts walking towards me. Dear god, I think, this is ridiculous. He comes up to me and grabs my suit case and starts walking to the door, not even looking to see if I'm following him. So of course I follow him up to the front front of the line, and go through. Nice, but not necessary. The lines at the counters were even longer, but I get in line like a good boy. The First Class ticket agent immediately stands up and is like "sir- you- sir- come. Come come." and again, everyone in line turns to look at who this jackass is that is getting to cut the line. It's Me! So I go up, and done and walking to the terminal before I know it. Sitting in the completely crowded terminal, I'm checking my emails and a little arabic boy and girl walk by me. Then they walk by me again, and the third time I looked up as they walked by and they were just staring at me. When they saw I was looking, they froze and just stared at me! LOL It was so funny! It reminded me of my first time being in Riyadh and this same thing happened. Granted, I'm probably the first white guy they'd seen, and I'm bald (which there are very few bald Arab guys, they usually have a full head of hair, beard, etc), and I'm 6'4, and was wearing a suit which again, they had probably only seen men in white dishdashes. So to wrap it all up I probably looked like one of those hairless albino' cats you see on the discovery channel, only a gigantic one! But it was really cute that they kept walking buy to "get a look at it". :-) As I got into Doha, I am tired. I haven't eaten real food since a 1/2 a chicken wrap at 2pm, and all I really want is a Diet Coke and a Snickers. Simple enough right? No. I start walking around- Duty free, another duty free, a Farooj Restuarant, anther duty free, no Diet coke. After having a pissy moment, I asked a security guard where I can get a "Oh- there's a diet coke cooler right there in the corner". Step one complete. Candy bars... candy bars... All I'm finding are those gigantic novelty 5lbs M&M's and foot long by 6" Snickers, and Mars bars that probably weigh 5lbs too. And then I did it, I bought the 5lb Mars bar. I'm sitting here eating it like it's nothing special, just me and my gigantic candy bar, like I do this everyday. LOL I'm waiting for some Japanese tourists to start walking by me like those kids did to be like "is he really eating that by himself??!"

Best Weather!

The weather in Dubai has turned AMAZING! We had bad sand storms all week, and then this morning I got up and was blinded by the clear blue skies and sunshine pouring through my living room windows. The high of the day was 70 with a cool wind blowing off the ocean, and wow, it was so perfect that I just had to take a walk around my neighborhood. For being here 20 months I am ashamed to say I have never walked around any of the lakes other than my lake (there are 4 in the Jumeriah Lakes Towers neighborhood). So today I took a few hours and walked them, and got some good pictures. It was really breathtaking. I have to say I'm going to miss these views when I move home.

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. :-)