Today instead of going to the fair, I visited our local global forwarding branch in Munich, which is located inside the airport. I got to share a taxi with the manager of Dusseldorf, Sven Boritska, which was quite fun as he filled me in on all the ins and outs of the German market. He also informed me that I need to come back to Munich in September for Oktoberfest, as well as Hamburg, because they are the two most beautiful cities in all of Germany. Mental note taken!
The Munich branch itself is quite small - only 9 people - and it was the day before they were moving to their new office so there were boxes everywhere. I didn't quite know how to approach them because they all seemed so busy and some of them didn't speak English super well. After lunch I tried 3 times to sit down and meet with them, but they kept saying "come back in 30 minutes". :) Finally, after 3 hours they finished putting out their fires and were able to sit down and talk about marketing and their business. I found out their specialty is transporting dead animals. There are rich hunters who go to Africa on safari and need a company to transport their "trophy kills" back to their countries of origin, like the US, China and Europe. Apparently we are one of two companies in Germany that have the certifications and knowledge to do this. They transport enough dead animals to fill full ocean containers. Although it sounds like a disgusting business, apparently it is quite lucrative. Who knew! I learn something new every day.
Following my branch visit, I headed back to the airport, had some yummy white beer, salami panini and chips and then boarded a plane to Amsterdam. It happened to be the same flight as Anton from TMC, so we had a good time catching up as well. Although our flight was delayed, the time didn't seem so long when there was someone to talk to. :)
My taxi driver from the airport was from Afghanistan and he spoke just enough English to be able to converse, so of course I took the opportunity to ask him lots of questions. :) I asked him if people in Afghanistan really don't like Americans and he said that it isn't true at all. It's all just propaganda and politics. He was from a small village that got bombed and he came to the US and then to Amsterdam to get educated as a professor of mathematics. Apparently everyone in his family left Afghanistan years ago because it is too dangerous - last week roadside bombers killed 350 innocent Afghan citizens in the streets. He said at some point you just decide enough is enough and you leave. He loves America, our music, our culture, our friendliness and system of education. He was quite an enjoyable man and at the end it felt like we were old friends. For me, he is a sign that anything is possible when you keep an open mind and a positive attitude.
He dropped me off at the Park Hotel right in the heart of Joordan (city center of Amsterdam) where I will be staying for 4 days. It is just as I imagined it: beautiful canals with boats, live music in the streets, fun restaurants and lively action going on, even late into the night. I have my window open and I can hear a street musician playing and people riding their bikes, dinging the bells. Facing my 6th floor window is the Hard Rock cafe. Somehow I cannot escape that place when I travel (refer back to my travels in Poland last November).
I am looking forward to staying in Amsterdam for 4 days. i have an action packed weekend ahead with Sophie! Only problem is there is no time to sleep. :) Too much to do and so little time.
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