Well I have finally done Berlin justice, even if it did have to wait until 50+!! Nearly all previous times here I have watched hockey or been too tired to leave the hotel.
Parties, night clubs, zooming around looking for the next party as teens do..all part of ICEF, one of the biggest 3 day parties I have ever been to (the working parts for people working were also awesome but that story belongs on my work blog which locked for clients only, and I was not working as such as I was there as a guest, just floating and networking for myself).
My Kazakhstan sister and I began the dancing on the second night ICEF Party, and my Saudi brother and I finished it. Bloody good for the soul. About a thousand people going hard can be quite intoxicating! I scared the man off, who asked "what room are you in?" with "I am 51 mother of 3 and happily married"!!
On the last day everyone is exhausted but then all the after parties start. You get invitations during the events.
I was a bit of a granny and came home early at 1.30 am. as the night club pumping was a bit too much however the views from the 24th floor of the Europa Centre made it all worthwhile.
1st party was the Italian one where I jacked up an appt in Bologna next week (always working) and then to Irish party where live Irish music was playing and then to GLS party at their campus. Finally to the I LAC party at the night club where I met my Colombian agent, did some go-go impersonations with my Kazhaktsan sister then came home!!. Jeepers, until next time.
As we left the ICEF we found out that U2 are playing in Berlin on Thursday night as per 20 years ago, so we changed our sleeper train reservation to a train out of Berlin rather than Frankfurt.
subsequently have found out that you need a ticket for the free event but will go and hang with the 10's of thousands anyway. Happy anniversary Baz, I will wave on the MTV show.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
ICEF in Berlin
I am now back in Berlin, on the last day of the ICEF agents fair, the biggest in the world. around 900 agents and similar institutions so the whole of the Intercontinental taken over plus another couple of hotels. All of the existing guests had only been booked until the first day so there was a mass exodus including a couple of important guests, Gorbechev and George Bush Snr!!
GB shuffled past me but didn't stop and chat as he obviously figured I was busy. A Maltese agent guy was in the lift and an old guy got in with a funny mark on his head and he thought, no it can't be?
Sunday was a conference set up, so listened to presentations to online solutions, new products, surveys on state of market etc. The presentations will go up on the ICEF site.
At night we had the opening party with food, free flowing wine and thousands packed in. We all had to shout which was not good on the vocal cords. Much networking took place and tom foolery eg dancing until 1 am with a huge range of people, my new 'sister' who loves Latin and is an Ozzie Singaporean, her Spanish new-mates, their mate who is English Jamaican and can speak most languages, some Sardinians who were goggling my 'sister', a NZer in charge of marketing ICEF blond westie that she is..... enough I am getting tired remembering. The main requirement for being on the road is stamina as I keep saying and the ability to net work.
Yesterday (Monday) was even more full on.
The others all had face to face interviews every 20 minutes in a huge hall that was hot and loud. I was so pleased it was not me in there. Extremely hard work.
I parked myself up near the bar area and people kept sitting next to me who were relevant and interesting. the fact I had my 100% Pure t shirt over a long sleeved woollen top helped! I also toured the display stands and gathered interesting info and chatted to people.
I also had a few actual meetings with people as some of my requests to visit said they would be here.
I also had a meeting with a German agent who did not answer my request to meet in Stuttgart, and it went very well. I got that chance through the networking. Details later.
I have been getting taxis as it has been raining and 3 degrees,
Off to the GLS meeting now so more updates later on from the free internet here at Arcotel Velvet hotel.
Tschuess,
Suzette
GB shuffled past me but didn't stop and chat as he obviously figured I was busy. A Maltese agent guy was in the lift and an old guy got in with a funny mark on his head and he thought, no it can't be?
Sunday was a conference set up, so listened to presentations to online solutions, new products, surveys on state of market etc. The presentations will go up on the ICEF site.
At night we had the opening party with food, free flowing wine and thousands packed in. We all had to shout which was not good on the vocal cords. Much networking took place and tom foolery eg dancing until 1 am with a huge range of people, my new 'sister' who loves Latin and is an Ozzie Singaporean, her Spanish new-mates, their mate who is English Jamaican and can speak most languages, some Sardinians who were goggling my 'sister', a NZer in charge of marketing ICEF blond westie that she is..... enough I am getting tired remembering. The main requirement for being on the road is stamina as I keep saying and the ability to net work.
Yesterday (Monday) was even more full on.
The others all had face to face interviews every 20 minutes in a huge hall that was hot and loud. I was so pleased it was not me in there. Extremely hard work.
I parked myself up near the bar area and people kept sitting next to me who were relevant and interesting. the fact I had my 100% Pure t shirt over a long sleeved woollen top helped! I also toured the display stands and gathered interesting info and chatted to people.
I also had a few actual meetings with people as some of my requests to visit said they would be here.
I also had a meeting with a German agent who did not answer my request to meet in Stuttgart, and it went very well. I got that chance through the networking. Details later.
I have been getting taxis as it has been raining and 3 degrees,
Off to the GLS meeting now so more updates later on from the free internet here at Arcotel Velvet hotel.
Tschuess,
Suzette
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
A very funny response from my friend in the Hawkes Bay..worth a bigger audienceH
Dear Vagamudo Blogger,
What the hell are you waffling on about in Brugge?Giving Jamie Oliver a run for his clothes.Have you started a new blog ___ food & crims .Europe/come.!!!?*%*3#.
God you're hard to keep up with,what with muggers,bag snatchers,gourmand delights,leather boots- if only Agatha Christie could still put pen to paper it would be moreTitilating than training on Her Orient Express.
Busy organising Maori Haka at Mangere on your arrival Tama Iti (Activist),Buck Shelford (Sportsman),Charles Royal( Chef),Tariana Turia (Politics) nb:Cross section covering all bases!! are hoping to be there so hope you will be wearing your Promote NZ T shirt,Jandals and dark shades so we recognise you.
Having fun in the sun sipping cool Hawkes Bay Viognier & munching olives,figs & cheese.
When do you hit NZ shores as Powhiri takes a bit of organising!!
Love (Kiwi Semi -Naked Chef)
Joce
What the hell are you waffling on about in Brugge?Giving Jamie Oliver a run for his clothes.Have you started a new blog ___ food & crims .Europe/come.!!!?*%*3#.
God you're hard to keep up with,what with muggers,bag snatchers,gourmand delights,leather boots- if only Agatha Christie could still put pen to paper it would be moreTitilating than training on Her Orient Express.
Busy organising Maori Haka at Mangere on your arrival Tama Iti (Activist),Buck Shelford (Sportsman),Charles Royal( Chef),Tariana Turia (Politics) nb:Cross section covering all bases!! are hoping to be there so hope you will be wearing your Promote NZ T shirt,Jandals and dark shades so we recognise you.
Having fun in the sun sipping cool Hawkes Bay Viognier & munching olives,figs & cheese.
When do you hit NZ shores as Powhiri takes a bit of organising!!
Love (Kiwi Semi -Naked Chef)
Joce
Train journy reports....swine flu??
Guten morgen
From a frikken train still! I am feeling like my life is on a train. Prob cos I have spent 18 hrs of last 36 on one!
Flying through the night to Manheim, starving, as bloody useless boy has not brought me the menu. He is scared of English and also thick and new. I heard the guards talking when I waited for the loo. I finally got my Spanish red vino, thank god.
I change trains to Bonn so hopefully can get some real food. The breafast place said on a sign "please do not take food away", so that stopped me taking a snack away for train.
The train feels like it is going a million miles an hour, backwards into time. Maybe I should sit going forward?
Probably going 300 km again but no speed dial this time to confirm. On ICE you get power so my iPhone is running songs in my head and I am doing this. Too tired to write up rest of today Got 15 contacts into data base before I gave up.
It is compulsory to have a lap top in this cabin!
And to talk loudly into cell ph mentionning Afghanistan, New York,Lucern, whatever... Fascinating.
Finished my jersey and to celebrate I wore it off the train to the platform!!!
Not sure about the collar yet. I doubled it over and sewed it.
I have to look into a mirror. Thank goodness I had the pins with me!! My novel may be called "A dozen pins and a pair of needles.
........
Absoluely every bugger on these trains has a cold and is either sneezing or sniffing. I refused to shake hands with, and blocked my nose, as one of the organizers of WEBA said loudly he was sick "but don't worry he had not been attacked by a pig."
I am seeing swine flu everywhere. I turned around and this guy was behind me and he looked like he was bloody dieing of swine flu. Of course the news us full of the football game cancelled because of 3 cases of swine fllu in the team, which then led to riots btw the opposition supporters
Now in having dinner and a huge sneeze from man and an equally loud "gazunt heit" ( can't spell it) He has kept sneezing as I write this andy nose is itching so I have come to the conclusion it was the pepper the guy opposite was applying liberally.
..........
In a darkened cabin and lights reflecting off the Rhine and every few minutes another castle that is lit up, flashes by. Oh yeah, I am flashing by.
Tooooo much today to soak it all in. The view leaving Zurich was one of the best I have ever seen. Matterhorn dusted in snow in background. I don't think I have seen that view before. The views prior equal to all the best before eg Gt Wall, Iguazzu, Himalayas etc Wow
From a frikken train still! I am feeling like my life is on a train. Prob cos I have spent 18 hrs of last 36 on one!
Flying through the night to Manheim, starving, as bloody useless boy has not brought me the menu. He is scared of English and also thick and new. I heard the guards talking when I waited for the loo. I finally got my Spanish red vino, thank god.
I change trains to Bonn so hopefully can get some real food. The breafast place said on a sign "please do not take food away", so that stopped me taking a snack away for train.
The train feels like it is going a million miles an hour, backwards into time. Maybe I should sit going forward?
Probably going 300 km again but no speed dial this time to confirm. On ICE you get power so my iPhone is running songs in my head and I am doing this. Too tired to write up rest of today Got 15 contacts into data base before I gave up.
It is compulsory to have a lap top in this cabin!
And to talk loudly into cell ph mentionning Afghanistan, New York,Lucern, whatever... Fascinating.
Finished my jersey and to celebrate I wore it off the train to the platform!!!
Not sure about the collar yet. I doubled it over and sewed it.
I have to look into a mirror. Thank goodness I had the pins with me!! My novel may be called "A dozen pins and a pair of needles.
........
Absoluely every bugger on these trains has a cold and is either sneezing or sniffing. I refused to shake hands with, and blocked my nose, as one of the organizers of WEBA said loudly he was sick "but don't worry he had not been attacked by a pig."
I am seeing swine flu everywhere. I turned around and this guy was behind me and he looked like he was bloody dieing of swine flu. Of course the news us full of the football game cancelled because of 3 cases of swine fllu in the team, which then led to riots btw the opposition supporters
Now in having dinner and a huge sneeze from man and an equally loud "gazunt heit" ( can't spell it) He has kept sneezing as I write this andy nose is itching so I have come to the conclusion it was the pepper the guy opposite was applying liberally.
..........
In a darkened cabin and lights reflecting off the Rhine and every few minutes another castle that is lit up, flashes by. Oh yeah, I am flashing by.
Tooooo much today to soak it all in. The view leaving Zurich was one of the best I have ever seen. Matterhorn dusted in snow in background. I don't think I have seen that view before. The views prior equal to all the best before eg Gt Wall, Iguazzu, Himalayas etc Wow
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Munich train station extract from client blog
Arrived in Munich eventually...meant to be midnight but thought for myself and saw I could jump on an earlier train compared to the one the ticket office had printed off for me.
I chose a quiet zone in the very front cabin and was able to prop my legs up on a shelf and knit my neck of the jersey I need to wear the minute it gets cold again. It does help to eat into the hours. In between I finished reading book number 3 of the trip "A Woman in Berlin." Anonymous. Harrowing first hand account of the rapes by Russian soldiers at end of Second World War. A bit of light travel reading..not. Black humour is part of their mechanism for coping. All very interesting and leaves me gazing out windows musing over the meaning of life, condition of humanity etc.
I feel like I am a hermit living at the station as I am also eating there, but yummy food like smoked eel on fresh bread, pretzels, fresh fruit smoothies, fruit salds, creamed rice and fruit to take away. Poor beautiful Munich is not getting visited by me.A 100 meter circle here.
Always dodgy around the stations however ...some slimy old codgers were crawling around half pissed whatever late last night. one guy literally looked like he had crawled out of the guttter/sewer and people were giving him a wide berth. A couple of crazies in doorways mumbling. Plenty of police about so feels safe enough.
More gazing out window wondering about humanity.
I chose a quiet zone in the very front cabin and was able to prop my legs up on a shelf and knit my neck of the jersey I need to wear the minute it gets cold again. It does help to eat into the hours. In between I finished reading book number 3 of the trip "A Woman in Berlin." Anonymous. Harrowing first hand account of the rapes by Russian soldiers at end of Second World War. A bit of light travel reading..not. Black humour is part of their mechanism for coping. All very interesting and leaves me gazing out windows musing over the meaning of life, condition of humanity etc.
I feel like I am a hermit living at the station as I am also eating there, but yummy food like smoked eel on fresh bread, pretzels, fresh fruit smoothies, fruit salds, creamed rice and fruit to take away. Poor beautiful Munich is not getting visited by me.A 100 meter circle here.
Always dodgy around the stations however ...some slimy old codgers were crawling around half pissed whatever late last night. one guy literally looked like he had crawled out of the guttter/sewer and people were giving him a wide berth. A couple of crazies in doorways mumbling. Plenty of police about so feels safe enough.
More gazing out window wondering about humanity.
Belgium -history lesson from Skippy and Marike
From Rotterdam I trained to Menen, on the border with Belgium and France. My sister had lived in nearby Brugge for 20 years so I visited her friends.
The business Sandi and her husband Lode set up is still running and is called Quasimodo tours. I was thinking of being a mystery shopper for them (as they are still majority share holders). However Skippy and Marike kindly offered to show me the fields of Flanders themselves so off we went for my compulsory history lesson. We visited the Messen gate during the day and also for the last post at 8pm (played every day). We also visited the Tyne Cot cemetery (the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the world) for fallen soldiers.
The colours were all muted autumn and the wind was chilly but the whole morning was very interesting. In the afternoon I wrote up my notes from Thailand which took ages because I had met so many people.
I am here until Friday morning when I will train to Aachen for an appointment and then down to Munich for a fair for students but I will be doing another guerrilla attack and meeting agents.
In the mean time I am writing up my Holland visit and also making more requests for appointments etc. Had a big hassle today about the hotel bookings for 9 rooms in Milan for the rugby event. Grrrr
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
