I’m wearing a dress!
This is such an unusual occasion, I had to make a special post! Look at me! I’m wearing a dress! This was at our Emeraude’s Wine & Dine Cruise Classic. Doesn’t the dress have a nautical feel to it? Kind of like flying the cocktail flags!
Actually, I am in love with these dresses by Chula and I do believe that I will be buying more. They are just beautiful and me being the tomboy that I am, felt so girly wearing one! It was fun!
On the Bright Side,
Shanna
Another day at the office.
Emeraude’s 5th Annual Wine & Dine Cruise Classic was a big hit this past weekend! I remember being in Hanoi last year at this time, staying with Kurt and Anna and hearing about this wine cruise where there is a black tie dinner, a winemaker, and such. So having sat in meetings for the past six months to help plan the event, I was more than excited!
One thing I was excited for too was the chance to wear my formal gown. I bought two from this great designer, Chula, and took both with me. I choose the one which was more suited for a cruise. Although i may wear the other one next year. In any case, I’m armed with a formal gown in the event I get asked out to a formal event!
The whole weekend was a smashing success. We started with breakfast at the Press Club, rode luxury buses out to Halong Bay and then began the cruise. The afternoon was spent at the beach and the weekend’s big moment was dinner by candle light in Drum Cave. You can check out some photos HERE. The dramatic setting of the cave made for a spectacular evening. It would take a strange person not to enjoy that kind of event. So unique and beautiful!
I don’t know yet how we will top this next year – we have our work cut out for us! The great news is, we’ve already got half the cabins reserved!
On the Bright Side,
Shanna
A few other photos from the event:
Watch Your Step
Photo: The steps in my building. Hard marble steps may look nice, but they don’t feel so good when you fall flat on your ass!
I returned home late last night. I had my suitcase with me. It was heavy. I was tired. I was swinging the suitcase up a few stairs and then stepping up behind the suitcase. I got tot he second floor landing. I swung the suitcase, began to move upward, but the suitcase fell back ward and took me with in. In the blink of an eye I had fallen backward and landed (fortunately) on my right butt cheek.
After I recovered from the shock of falling, I started to get up and collect myself. Except that when I did, my right foot screamed at me. It was really sore and immediately swelled up a bit. I was on the second floor and I live on the 5th. OMG.
I started crying because the pain was quite bad and then I started cursing because I was angry that I had fallen. What a klutz!
I’m sure I spent more than 10 minutes in the echo-chamber stairwell. What I realized was that while I knew my neighbors were home, no one bothered to open their doors and come see what all the commotion was about.
I wiped my tears, took a deep breath and got me and my stupid suitcase up three more stories. Once inside, I cursed my non-helpful neighbors as I iced my ankle and shed a few more tears.
I went to sleep with my foot propped up on two pillows and managed to sleep that way all night. Good.
I also stayed home and worked from my sofa today, doing my best to not use my foot. It’s not too puffy, but it is super, super sore. I feel like I bruised it, perhaps the suitcase hit the top of it or something. It was a weird fall. I also have a nice bruise coming out on my butt cheek.
As much as it sucks to have this injured foot, I’m super grateful I didn’t crack my head open. No drama intended, but I could have bled to dead in the hallway, since my stupid neighbors couldn’t be bothered to even open their doors to see why someone was cursing like a sailor in the hallway!
Anywhoo, I should probably get this checked out, but the athlete in me says, “Suck it up and walk it off. It’s not broken.”
On the Bright Side,
Shanna
4.19.2009 Update
They say that sometimes a severe sprain is worse than a clean break. Well, I’m beginning to agree with this. I still have the doctors’ words echoing in my head, “Why did you wait 10 days to see me?” Two tendons on both sides of my ankle were strained, and I have a contusion on the top of my foot. The internal bleeding was bad enough that my toes are green and purple. Yuck. I have a monster foot!
I would love to follow doctor’s orders and use the cane he gave me, but it seems so silly after not using one. I didn’t mind taping up my ankle, but after one shower, it complete became useless. I was told I could get it wet, but it just didn’t hold. The doctor wanted to give me a soft cast, but they just aren’t available in Vietnam.
I was supposed to go to a special pharmacy and buy my own cane this weekend, but I really don’t want to spend money on something I know I won’t use. I’m going to keep it elevated, keep icing it and trying to stay off of it. I know myself pretty well, and while this is the most serious injury I’ve ever had, it’s not so serious that I need casts and canes and regular physical therapy.
I’m a tough chick and while this is not fun, I can handle it.
4.26.2009 Update
Nearly three weeks after my fall, I still have a slight bit of swelling in my ankle which is worse at the end of a work day or like yesterday’s music festival where I stood most of the day. But I am committed to having this thing heal, because not only is it a big deal to not have your feet in order, but I don’t want to have continued issues with this ankle. I’m just surprised it’s taking so long! As I mentioned, this is the worst injury I’ve ever had, so the concept that this will likely take another three weeks to heal up is just mind-boggling! I want my right foot back!
A VIP on Board
One of the perks in working in the hospitality industry is that you get the occasional VIP visitor. That was the case when the McCain delegation decided to book a cruise on board our boat, the Emeraude. We were delighted to have the group sail with us. Everything went super smoothly, thank goodness. Everyone in the group commented that it was the highlight of their trip.
Here’s the press release:
U.S. Senator John McCain cruises Halong Bay aboard the Emeraude
HALONG BAY, Vietnam (9 April 2009) — U.S. Senator John McCain toured Halong Bay as a passenger aboard Emeraude Classic Cruises April 6 – 7.
McCain, who was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 election and who spent more than five years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi from 1967 to 1973, was accompanied by an American delegation that included Senators Lindsey Graham (R – S.C.) and Amy Klobuchar (D – Minn.).
During the overnight cruise, McCain fielded questions from fellow passengers. He and his entourage visited Surprise Cave. Like everyone else, he stood on the deck and marveled at the karsts. Several members of his delegation attended a screening of the French epic, Indochine on the Emeraude’s sun-deck after dark.
“They insisted on no special treatment,” said Kurt Walter, general manager of Emeraude Classic Cruises. “That was the really remarkable thing about this entourage, and they were very clear about it – no red carpet, no special menu. They only wanted to experience Halong Bay the way all of our passengers were experiencing it.”
When it came to dining, the 2008 presidential candidate waited on line at the buffet and served himself.
None of the Emeraude’s passengers had been given advance warning about the McCain trip.
“It was a big surprise when he walked into the restaurant,” said Walter. “You could see everybody’s eyes grow larger.”
McCain fielded questions from fellow passengers, four of whom were American. He spent the night on the upper deck of the vessel in the Paul Roque Suite.
“He didn’t ask for the suite, but we insisted,” said Walter.
McCain told Walter that the cruise on the Emeraude was his first overnight cruise on a pleasure craft. They talked about hotels in Hanoi, and Walter told the senator about a fine, new hotel on West Lake.
“’West Lake,’ the senator said to me. I landed a plane on that lake 40 years ago – on Truc Bach Lake,” Walter recalled. “Truc Bach Lake the senator remembers.”
ABOUT EMERAUDE CLASSIC CRUISES
Since its maiden voyage in late 2004, the Emeraude has set the standard for upscale passage on Halong Bay. Modeled on a paddle steamer of the same name that cruised Halong Bay from 1906-1937, the Emeraude accommodates 74 passengers in 12 superior cabins, 24 deluxe cabins and three suites. The vessel evokes the romance of the nautical age with classic architecture, polished wooden floors, beadboard wainscoting and brass fixtures. The Restaurant specializes in western fare and freshly caught seafood. Each cabin features outdoor seating, as does the commodious sun-deck up top where the crew screens a movie nightly.
Emeraude Classic Cruises is owned and operated by The Apple Tree Group, a French-owned, Ho Chi Minh City-based company with interests in tourism and hospitality, real estate and construction and import and distribution all over Southeast Asia. Its hospitality properties also include La Residence Hotel & Spa in Hue and the Press Club in Hanoi, as well as the Kamu Lodge on the Mekong River near Luang Prabang and the Villa Maly, a boutique hotel in Luang Prabang.
On the Bright Side,
Shanna
Berlin Birthday – 39
A unique b’day party! Can you tell the boys from the girls?
Before leaving for Berlin, I realized that from now on, as long as I am in this job, it will be most likely that I will be celebrating my birthday in Berlin. After my introductory weekend with Paul, I realize, there are worse places in the world to be stuck on your birthday. Berlin is fantastic!
My new colleagues were so kind and wanted to help celebrate. Pantanida, who is based in Berlin has a boyfriend whose birthday is the same day. So on the 13th, my actual birthday, I went out with Edwin and Dominik and Dominik’s parents (Germans) for dinner. I enjoyed a traditional Berlin dish – Currywerst, which is essentially 2 huge sausages smothered in a German style curry and french fries. I followed Edwin on to a very cool bar and then to another before calling it a night at 3am. A fun night, indeed.
The next evening, Pantanida had made a reservation for us at a Thai cabaret show. I mentioned in another post that she is from Thailand but lives in Berlin. So she is dialed into the Thai community in Berlin. Good friend to have, for sure.
As you can see from the photo here. The show is quite unique in that all of the ladies in the show were formally men. This makes for nothing but an entertaining evening.
We had a great time at the show. I enjoyed all of the celebrations. And I am looking forward to many more birthdays in Berlin. Even the one where I turn 40!
On the Bright Side,
Shanna
ITB Berlin
Aside from meeting Paul for a weekend, I was pretty excited to attend ITB Berlin (International Travel Bourse). It’s the largest travel trade event in the world. Within the context of my new job, ths is the biggest learning curve for me – the intricacies of the travel industry.
I was lucky to share a booth with our sister company, Exotissimo. What an eclectic mix of people. Edwin from Holland now lives in Bangkok. Pantanida is from Thailand, but runs our Berlin office. Wah Wah is from Myanmar. And Dominik is German but wrks in our Saigon office. And then little ol’ me from San Diego, California. This is one of the joys of being an expat is that you are always meeting super interesting people.
The exhibition itself, verges on ridiculous. I don’t think we have a convention hall in the US that could compare to the massive layout which is Berlin Messe. The site covers 160,000 square meters. Our booth was located in Hall 26b. We were one of over 11,098 exhibitors. On one day, I had a chunk of time available – 3 hours, and so I decided I would walk around the convention and take pictures of nice booths, as well as shop for brochure designs. I also just wanted to see as much as I could see.
I was already well familiar with the Asian countries. Thailand was at ITB in full force with a huge booth down the center of our hall. It contained a second story, as did many, with a VIP lounge. The Princess of Thailand was present at one of their daily cocktail parties, greeting guests and singing karaoke. She should really stick to her day job – but a lovely woman! Even some of the major islands, such as Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi and others had a huge booth. Thailand was doing it’s best to recover from the recent bad press they’ve been receiving.
The Philippines were also musically entertaining with a full band firing up at cocktail hour each evening. Our booth was across from Indonesia, which occupied an entire back wall. The stage in the middle hosted a variety of dancers throughout the day. Anytime you passed by India or Cambodia, you could see traditional dances.
And then there was Vietnam. Very little money was poured into the Vietnam booth. It was dimly lit and not warm or inviting at all. No entertainment. No cocktail parties. It really looked like the bastard child of SE Asia. Neglected and crying for attention. They did give out a mini-version of the traditional straw hats. That only served the purpose of making me giggle several times in a day as some non-industry person would walk by actually wearing one of these things. At one point I saw two huge men with what looked like safari gear on. Bellies protruding, cameras slung around their necks and backpacks full of brochures, with their tiny Vietnam hats on their heads, they looked like they were on some other-worldly travel adventure.
I’m glad I wasn’t posted in the Vietnam booth. The overall look was uninspiring, to say the least. And you know, Vietnam really needs to step up the pep. In the Asian market, all of the other countries have these cool slogans. Incredible India. Amazing Thailand. Philippines Wow. Fiji Me. Malaysia, Truly Asia. Indonesia, The Ultimate in Diversity. Uniquely Singapore. You get the idea.
And Vietnam’s slogan? Vietnam, The Hidden Charm. This country isn’t even interested in showing you it’s beauty. In the least, you have to hunt for it – because it’s hidden! What the hell? How about a bit more proactive like: Vietnam, Discover the Charm. Vietnam, Be Charmed. Charming Vietnam. I could go on and on. So there’s a little side project I hope to work on…help the government better represent itself and polish it up a bit! Me vs. the Vietnamese Government. Yeah – let’s see how that one goes!
My feet took me as far as a few of the European halls. I walked through Germany, a stark contrast to the colorful and mix of cultures in the Asian halls. Deutschland was designed very clean and simply. And Spain. OMG. Class, elegance, sophistication, power. I could have stayed in that hall all day. Very chic design and all of the people working were just beautiful. Impeccably dressed and stylish. The Spanish men are just gorgeous. There are no proper words to describe. Even though I was wearing a tailor-made suit, I fear I looked like a little ragamuffin in comparison. Oh those Spaniards! As much as I have always loved Italy, I think it is Spain which calls for me to live there someday.
The convention center at ITB Berlin is so huge that I couldn’t make it to some of the halls I really wanted to see, like Africa and South America. I would have loved to have seen Italy, too. Of course, I was curious about my home country – USA!
On the fourth day of the convention, the public is welcomed, and MY GOD was the stage is set for people watching. Our booth received great foot traffic on the business days. so the public days were nuts. And how weird are we humans? I put our CDs out and people would just come by and take one without having any clue what was on the CD. I also had two sets of picture books, which I use in my sales pitch. Gone. Why anyone would think that the heavy material was a brochure is beyond me.
While most of our tables were set with brochures for people to take, there were still a few appointments scheduled. And being the hospitable people we are, we had coffee ready and a bowl of tea cookies and snacks for our special guests. Yet members of the public would see the small bowl of treats on the table out of the corner of their eye and bee-line it for the cookies, take two or three and return to the traffic flow around the hall. BIZARRE.
Totally indescribable behavior aside, I realize that for some of these folks, they may never be able to afford to travel to Indonesia or Thailand or even Vietnam, or any host of other countries represented at the exhibition. And for them, this event served as a bit of a dream catcher. Bob and Betty, hand in hand, spending an entire day collecting brochures and CDs and give-aways from all over the world. They may even hang a few of the posters they received and sit at the dinner table saying, “Let go to Cambodia sometime, darling.” And if that makes Bob and Betty happy, to have a dream like that, or if it inspires any of the children present to backpack through South America one day…well then, what’s the harm? I just wish people wouldn’t get caught up in the frenzy of getting free ‘stuff’ and act like morons! Shameful!
Post-exhibition hours, I went along with the my colleagues for cocktail parties and dinners, even stayed out late a couple of nights. I learned a lot, saw much, observed every moment. With each person I met and each meeting I conducted, I realized more and more how happy and lucky I am to have this job. This is a very cool position to be in and I am very much looking forward to all that is to come. This big huge trade event is just the tip of the iceberg!
On the Bright Side,
Shanna
An Affair to Remember
It was New Year’s Eve. We said hello. Our eyes met. We clicked!
We went upstairs to the Press Club party. We talked. We danced. We kissed! Repeat.
We was on vacation. Bummer he doesn’t live in Hanoi. Or Vietnam for that matter. He lives in Aachen, Germany. I said a few times, “I’ll be in Berlin in March.”
E-mails exchanged. Flights reserved. Ready to go!!!
We met at the airport. OMG. Even cuter than I remembered. Three days together in Berlin. Such a beautiful city. What a great guy. Fun fun fun!!! I totally needed that! A fabulous weekend, for sure.
I’ll be in London in November! How about a weekend in Dublin before that?
On the Bright Side,
Shanna
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