Day 12
Can't really remember much about these last few days - been rather busy with work, and out and about quite a bit, so I've decided to combine Days 12, 13 and 14 into one entry! Day 13 Thursday's another start in the office, then off to a client in the afternoon - nothing out of the ordinary, but I have a chat with one of the dollies, whose off to Venice next week - it brings back memories of when I was there this April. Kamikaze pigeons flying straight for my forehead, a five year old accordion-playing beggar on the train who twatted me for refusing to give him any change, paying €30 for a coffee in St Mark's Square, seeing a metro sign reading Arsenale (pronounced "arse-nail", which amused me for days), seeing a health club called Fart (again, most amusing), walking up and down endless steps, a singing waiter ("Oh happy day") - that was a wicked trip! Day 14 Friday was a cool day - although I was 2 for 2 in the failure stakes, for my 2 jobs! Both of which were not down to lack of technical skills, more the time constraints - can you justify spending hours and hours on someone's PC, when it may be cheaper for tem to buy a new one?!? But we have an invite out with Steve - we're off to the cinema to see the new release Once Upon A Time In Mexico. We stop for a quick bite, and meet some of his friends - they're all into quad-biking/ motocross - which is cool. It turns out there's an apartment up for rent right down on the beach - Warren and Holly (Steve's mates) live in the same block, and the rents cheaper than the hotel, so we're gonna go down and check it out in the week. The film was weird, but worth watching!
Wednesday morning was early-morning meeting number 2 - I wish they'd have it on a Friday morning, as it really wastes me for the rest of the week - and we discuss the merits of what we're gonna use these meetings for. Over the summer, the guys have been meeting down the beach at 6 and going surfing together - a kind of "get to know your staff" thing - but now we're back in the office, and some ideas flying around are discussing technology, customer experiences, and the bible!
Now, most of you who know me, know that I'm not a religious bloke - I don't know if I'm the best qualified to offer an opinion when it comes to the bible. I remember studying RE at GCSE and, although I passed with a B, I was likened to "an Atheist with a conscience" (by my teacher) - most of my studies were based around the scientific explanation of 'miracles'! And now, even more so, I am more of a scientist by definition of what I do for a living, than a theologist. I just hope I don't offend anyone with what I may say, so it may be best not to say anything at all - which will be tough, but I also respect other's beliefs - unless they're a Millwall fan!!!
I spend the rest of Wednesday in the office - which is probably a good idea, as I'm so tired from my early start, I don't think the clients would appreciate an English dude turning up, who looks half-comatose - maybe I'm suffering long-term effects from last nights momentary loss of blood-flow, whilst trying on those pants?
We take a drive out in the evening to Balboa (as in Rocky) Island - it's a quaint little island where there's some pukka restaurants, and a harbour - nice! We eat in an Italian, by recommendation, called Giorgio's - it's a tiny restaurant, but for some reason they decide to employ an accordion-player!! The waiter spots my Gills t-shirt and we have a brief chat about footy - I think he's the first person, since I've been here, who knows enough about football to have spotted the shirt in the first-place! - but that's as far as my affection goes for him; the service in this place is slower than, erm... well, it's slower than a very slow thing!
Back at the hotel, I try out the "draught" Guinness - from a bottle - it's got a widget in it, but it's not the same as back home. I've made it my mission to search out a decent pint while I'm here!
We finally get a phone for Jem, so she can go out and about without fear of getting stranded somewhere - it's difficult here, because unless you drive it's tough to get anywhere. There's limited public transport, and (I'm told) the cabs wont do short journeys from the hotel to the beach (about 3.5 miles) - I'm sure she'll figure something out!
As we're in the area (Harbour Blvd) I try and find a pub called The Harp - I've been told that they do a good pint of Guinness there - but I can't find it, and we settle for somewhere called Unique! It certainly is that - it's the first pub/ restaurant we've been into where you can smoke - I think I'll be coming back here!! And they have Guinness - although it still doesn't taste right - if I wasn't driving, I'd've had to have at least 4 pints to get used to it! On the drive home, I find the Harp - excellent!!
END OF DAY 14