Ah, German trains

It all went well from Luxembourg to Saarbruecken. Then my train to Mannheim had a half an hour delay and from here to Freiburg I had more connections than I wanted.

German train stations tend to look the same. There is always a backer, Fritz or someone from his family has a café opened, and without exception there is always a shop to buy books, read magazines without buying them, get water or some chewing gum.

I finally made it to Freiburg where I have already met two nice people reinforcing the good reputation the city has. One girl helped me figure out the right stop for the bus nr 11, and a young man returned the glove that had fallen from my pocket. He also made me realize that glove in German is handschuhe which literally translated means "hand shoe"; I was entertained.

But the day wouldn’t have been half as much fun without Hugh’s book. At one point the main character while interrogated by some security authority replies: “ Oh God, I am so fascinated by this conversation I think I might have a nosebleed.” I was very entertained.

Under strange influences

While hopping around various countries, I started being interested in cars, domestic life and McKinsey articles.

Cars I have always enjoyed but I did not pay too much attention to the various brands or other features. Lately though, I look on the streets and pick my favorites; often enough I want to own and drive a nice car. In the "cars to have" for me I listed so far Audi and Volvo but I am open to suggestions; for example, I greatly enjoyed Sophie's Fiat 500.

Domestic life was never foreign to me but lately I observe apartments and their various features, pick things I would like in my own home, get ideas on how to arrange different rooms and altogether, imagine putting together a home for myself. I also pick cooking recipes from the various hosts I have met on my way; from pumpkin soup to speculoos, new risottos and ideas for entrees.

The strangest of all changes was my genuine desire today to read articles from the McKinsey Quaterly. I don't have to mention my lack of interest in the past for you to understand how unexpected my desire came today. Maybe this is a side effect of the strange influences that reign my stars and create all these new interests.

When in Metz...

We started with champagne as apero, continued with wine during dinner, finished with coffee...Irish, it had to be. We danced, smoked a Cuban cigar, sang, tried to go out but the cab did not come, and by 3 am one by one we started falling like dead flies.

I thought of Alexandre Dumas and his musketeers last night. d'Artagnan was my favorite and while reading the books, I was staying up until 6 am captivated by the adventures, the intrigues, the tension, and of course, the jokes and funny situations in which they always got themselves. Mr Dumas came to my mind because it felt like he would be the most appropriate to write about our happy encounter. Just like he describes the feasts in some French inn with Porthos eating too much, Athos and Artemis being the usual gentlemen, and d'Artagnan flirting with one of the inn keepers, Dumas could have written about our dinner in Metz last night.

Some other writer would have to write about the visit to the the Metz Pompidou Center and to the Christmas market where we had a well deserved hot wine.

Bacovia (Romanian symbolist poet) would definitely be the one to write about the Sunday night...it would have the lead tone.

Luxembourg and the gun seller

Sometimes I wish that instead of history and geography classes, I could have toured the world to learn about it by seeing it.

On Thursday night I had dinner in the Flemish side of Belgium. Friday night I was in the Walloon side. On the highway from Brussels to Liege, Astrid pointed out that Liege is indicated first as Luik, the Dutch name for the city, then Liege, the French name, and then by Luik again. It is all a bit confusing to me how all these parts exist and to add another element to the complication, today we drove to Luxembourg.

In Luxembourg I met the gun seller. Dr House, Hugh Laurie when he is not on TV, wrote a book called "The Gun Seller". I was curious to get to know him better and after a bit of reading, I can already find the brains of Dr House in the book. Now I have a book for my tour and for the pre Christmas period.

And I run to get ready...tonight we are having dinner in Metz, France. 

St Nicholas arrived

In Belgium, St Nicholas is expected any day now...

Astrid's parents live in the house where she and her brothers were born. From the kitchen window one can see the snowy hills covered with pine trees. It's cosy inside from the stove and the warm lunch got us both ready for a nap. However before we prepared the dough for speculoos, the cookie that both St Nicholas and I like a lot. Then I slept, fainted really for almost 3 hours.

In the afternoon the grandchildren started arriving. Matisse, Tom and their one month old brother, Louis. Astrid had her hands full and we were all playing games together until someone knocked at the door. It was St Nicholas himself!!! Old and slow he entered the house to bring gifts to the children of the family. Even I got some candies; I must have been a good girl this year after all...

And now I want to sleep, dive in my bed and breath slowly, slowly,...

B2B

Of course this post is not about business despite its title. B2B means that today I travel from Berlin to Bruxelles.

After the snow, the long walks on Unter den Linden, the dinners with Benjamin and Sophie, the meeting with one of the ugliest dogs I have ever seen, it’s time to move on. Oh…the ugliest dog competes with the Peruvian hairless dogs although I have to admit that Luzie has quite a sense of humor and a good heart. She sensed that I was somewhat disturbed by her appearance so she was following me everywhere, touching me with her paw, trying to make friends.

So here I am, at the airport again waiting for the last flight of my tour. After Bruxelles, I will reach all the other destinations by train. 

Later today...

I just have to add this small note on the Bruxelles airport: the Belgians beat the Spanish at building extended, complicated airports! I landed a few kilometers away from where I had to go to pick my luggage and on the way...I could have done all the Christmas shopping. 

Airport experience aside, I made it to dinner with Pieter and his family; while I was doing slides for McKinsey, Pieter and Delphine bought a house and are waiting for the second child! Worlds apart...

The first snowflakes

I expected snow to meet me somewhere on my tour; it did today, in Berlin.

As I woke up, I had a note from Sophie: "They announced snow, if you need clothes check the first drawer." I ran to the window to see the small, shy snowflakes coming down dancing from the sky. They were too weak to lay and form a white carpet but they were persistent and kept falling until late in the afternoon. It's winter, now I am just waiting for that first morning when everything is covered in white puffy powder; it's always a happy morning!

Later today I attended an art exhibition opening in the Pan Am Lounge. I was among artists, art collectors, journalists, critics. I observed them and found it funny how every meeting of people from the same field of work is different and yet the same. For lawyers every single topic can be brought to court or some legal analysis, consultants define a strategy and formulate next steps for everything, doctors diagnose everyone in the room, artists talk about the thickness of the pink line and it's geniality in expressing...something.

Many are the wonders of this world...from its people to snow.

Berlin, where the East meets the West

I went to school in September 1989 while Romania was still under the communist regime. Before the Christmas break, the Revolution had started and we had an extended holiday; Ceausescu and his wife were killed, Romania became a democracy.

In 2001 I went to study in Germany. I needed a visa to enter, and on the way, I spent 4 hours waiting at borders and 4 more hours when the police stopped the bus to check all passengers. In 2004, I graduated but to be able to legally stay in Germany I needed a job. Between 2004 and 2007, I had to go at least once a year to renew my visa.

In 2007, Romania entered the EU and by now I can travel with my ID and stay for as long as I please.

On the 22nd of December, Romania celebrates 21 years since communism ended, just months after the Berlin wall fell on the 3rd of October. How would life had been for me and my generation had the wall remained in place? I never thought of it until today while walking around in Berlin, where the East meets the West.

400 km

Today I drove from Bremen to Berlin with Sophie. It’s around 400 km, just like from Sao Paulo to Franca.

Probably I drove to Franca every month while living in Brazil; it was where I felt most at home. Driving from Sao Paulo on Thursday or Friday night after work was real therapy! The time spent in my car getting there was most of the time like being given air to breath after staying underwater for too long.

The first 320 km to Ribeirao Preto were fast, the last 80 km…like getting on a space ship and leaving the orbit to enter a new world. I drove with the window open to smell the earth and the sugar cane plantations. I have a clear image in my mind of a starry night with Johnny Cash singing while I was getting closer and closer to home.

And so I made it to Berlin.

Walking down on memory lane

Last night we made it till 4am singing Irish songs. 

It felt strangely nice to be back on campus. I recalled the first weeks there, how much I loved it, how great it was to make friends from all over the world. We had floor parties every night, we went around Bremen, got invited to events everywhere and at the end of the first week, we had a great party with paella and free Becks. All those memories and more came back last night.

I cannot  recall those years without recalling the friends I made, Luis, the months spent in Peru, sending 5000 Christmas cards as my first job assignment and everything that came after including the MBA, Brazil, McKinsey. And here I am…

Sometimes I forget about the string of events that led to my present, trips down on memory lane help me get the big perspective…and it’s a nice picture to see.

If you are my friend

Last night at 3am we were still not done talking. This morning we started with a long breakfast and the talking continued…

What are friends for? One late night in August 2007 I was taking the train from Bremen to Paris to start INSEAD. My friends were there singing as the train was leaving. In May 2008 I was wondering what to do with the McKinsey offer I had received; we were in a house by a lake close to Berlin, discussing what to do next. That’s what my friends are for.

This morning we woke up and set the table for a delicious breakfast. We ate, talked. We will leave the house soon, go out for a walk, watch a dance show at the university and then go to the old student bar, The Other Side. That’s what my friends are for. I don’t know any better, and I wish I hadn't tried to learn anything else. 

Today, I am happy to be here where friends are for me just this: a Saturday when I can be just the way I am.

Moving downtown

Some geography: the university is not in Bremen itself, one needs a 25 minute train ride to reach Vegesack, in the North of Bremen.

I spent the whole week here with my adoptive German family. German because they live here but in reality a Dutch-Swedish family. Probably Spike, their dog is the only real German in the family. It's always nice to see them, we always enjoy spending time together and they never stop impressing me with the normal, down to earth way of living every single day. I think it's something from the Dutch and Swedish way of living.

Today I move downtown. From various corners of the country and continent, 6 of the initial members of the dance group are all coming to spend the weekend in Bremen. We saw each other last in August 2009. Since then, I met Farah in Paris a few weeks ago and had the pleasure of spending two months in Sao Paulo with Sophie when she visited earlier this year.

So off I go for a weekend together with the girls: Ozen, Amina, Farah, Sophie, and Fefi.

The Andres trick

Many years ago I worked in the college office of the university. When we looked for a new team member, we had interviews...

Andres, my very good friend, was one of the interviewees. It went fine, he had the profile we were looking for and both me and my boss thought it would be a great addition to the team. What won us over and gave us certainty that he was the one, was a very simple gesture. At the end, he stood up and as he was leaving, he took his cup of coffee to the kitchen and washed it. We still laugh at how shocking we found that simple yet unexpected gesture of his.

Today I had an interview myself. I won't say more as nothing is clear yet in my head but at the end, I instinctively grabbed the glass of water, and a second later recalled Andres' gesture and our surprise.

Alive until I am dead

Let me tell you a tale of two men.

My first friend worked for all his life for the same employer. Day after day, year after year he went to work, took holidays, lived a peaceful life waiting for retirement. One day, it happened: the life after work started! Three years later, he has the time he missed while waiting but nothing seems to get him excited, alive.

My second friend is passionate about Mathematics. He studied for most of his life, wrote books, and worked as a professor pursuing his passion. Time was always his time. He has already passed retirement age but his eyes make him young and as alive as ever.

Granted there is little I can do to influence my story, I set my GPS on an uncertain and unknown destination getting ready for an eventful trip to at least have a chance at not dying before I am dead.

As if time stood still...

Today I woke up in foggy Bremen and went for a run.

Then I visited Jacobs University, IUB like it used to be called when I was a student. Little changed since last year when I last visited and yet it felt different to be back on campus. It felt as if there was even more distance between my time there some years ago and the present; somehow I could truly enjoy being back. I had lunch in Krupp, my old college, and even met Jesus...a classmate. It was beautifully pleasant.

The pilgrimage continued with a visit at my old work place. Walking down from the university to Vegesack I thought of Sao Paulo. If there is an opposite to the restlessness, noise and constant movement from Sao Paulo, it must be this forgotten village in the North of Germany. However the two places cannot be compared and in my world they are good complements; the unfortunate part is that they are an ocean apart.

I met friends, colleagues, and ended the day in the sauna listening to good music. Such can life be in Bremen despite the early darkness, the cold, the empty streets.

Kaffeesahne Milram

In May 2006 I went for the first time on holiday on my own. Destination: Mallorca.

I had two big goals that week: to stop smoking and to relax before the GMAT. The first scared me more than anything, I could not imagine my day without cigarettes: waiting for the bus, walking to work, meeting friends, going out, etc. The GMAT I dreaded too as the SATs left me with a strong dislike for standardized tests.

The week went by just fine. During the day I was on the beach, at night I was playing bingo with my 70 year old new German friends. The final night I smoked my last cigarette and prayed to make it without any from then on. The next day I was already on the plane when I realized that I did not even feel the need to smoke; since then, I felt mildly tempted a few times in Brazil but I am waiting to turn 75 to start smoking again if it will still appeal to me. As for the GMAT… it worked out just fine.

I thought of this story while flying to Germany today; on Lufthansa flights, they still serve Milram Kaffeesahne made in Bremen.

Fried green tomatoes

It was a Sunday some months back, all the way on the other side of the ocean...

To escape Sao Paulo and breath some fresh air, I often drove in a flash the 400 km to Franca, the place that felt like home for me in Brazil. I had a family there and on Sundays we did what families do: ate a lot, watched movies, slept. I recall the Sunday when we watched the "Fried Green Tomatoes" on the cozy sofa. I miss them all!

Today I had green fried tomatoes at a restaurant in Madrid. Interesting choice of a dish. Then the rain came down and the invitation to sleep in the afternoon was too tempting to resist. But I hear the wind blowing and telling me of new countries to see, new friends to meet, and so tomorrow I embark on the next plane; it will take me to Bremen, the other place I call home.

Till tomorrow!

12 hours out and about

Had someone told me about today, I would have not believed it.

We started by picking up Tatyana at the airport. By the way, whoever designed the Barajas Airport...who told you that walking such long distances in an airport was a good idea? In any case, we continued with breakfast around 12 pm and then we walked around Bairro Salamanca until we were too tired and stopped for a coffee.

After the break we went on searching for a scarf and ended up in El Corte Ingles...the same one where almost a year ago we three had to find a dress and shoes for me to wear at a wedding the same night. Shopping finished and we went to Chueca to have Mexican food. Over enchiladas and gorditas we talked about actors we considered hot from the time we were 7 until the present; Robert Downey Jr was voted absolute winner.

Some mojitos later, we're watching Hugh Grant performing his Prime Minister dance in "Love Actually". And Teresa cannot stop laughing!

Viva la vida!

Today was a full day.

I went running in the morning; it was a sunny, beautiful morning. I took a bath, watched House getting into trouble, and by lunch time I was ready to head out and have some food with Teresa. We had some typical Spanish dishes cooked in an adapted modern version by a chef she knows. We walked around, had coffee and decided to finish the afternoon watching a movie.

We found the cinema where they showed the original version of  “Eat, pray, love” and went to see Julia Roberts in action. After having read the book, the movie is somewhat disappointing but the popcorn and the nice company did the trick so altogether it was a nice way to end the day…before dinner.  We met some of Teresa’s friends, headed to a tapas bar and tasted some more delicious Spanish food. We walked back home passing by the Royal Palace and the Cathedral.

It’s Saturday tomorrow, Tatyana is coming… and so, day after day, life happens.

The snail in Plaza de Espana

I reached Madrid and safely got to Teresa´s place.

While walking in Plaza de Espana on the way to Calle Ferraz, I saw my shadow on the sidewalk. It made me think of a snail; just like it, I carry my house on my back as I move from city to city, take flight after flight, and visit friends. I wonder sometimes what am I looking for; I was asked not once about it so I consider the question every now and then while waiting for my next ride. I don´t have an answer.

There were times when moving around was thrilling. It does not seem so much that way anymore. Also, there were times when trying out new things all the time was the purpose behind everything I was doing; I feel I have tried enough not to have this as a purpose in itself but more as a side effect of being curious. It seems at times that what I want are simpler, unexciting things had you offered them to me some years ago but beautiful if I think of them now.

We shall live and see...

What Lisbon is about...

Tonight I assist Ines making dinner.

I am in charge of cutting the mushrooms, she does the onions and the dried tomatoes. Some olive oil and the onions are in for a bath...the smell spreads in the house. Next in line are the tomatoes and the mushrooms. The spinach is taking a tour in the microwave and later will join the rest of the composition. The paste will go in small portions in dough, and then finally in the oven.

Meanwhile, I have to help with the salad. The rice is prepared last.

Music in the background, Teresa asleep upstairs, and wine in the glasses. The meal will be ready soon.

Lisbon has been about tasty dinners, streets uphill, November sun, and families. Tomorrow I am off to a neighboring country: Spain.

Teresa

I have a friend called Teresa and soon we will see each other again. Yesterday, I met another Teresa...

My new friend is 9 months old but refuses to walk and do what other babies of her age do. She is lazy and I love her for that. What I love most though, is her smile; she feels anything from happy to very happy, nothing even close to sad. Her eyes smile, she is a smile, and one cannot but smile when looking at her.

Teresa is my friend's Joao daughter. While at INSEAD there were often times when I felt out of place mainly because I was younger than the rest. Joao was one of the three people that looked after me during the MBA. He was there when I got my first bad grades, also when I had a crush on some student and I  realized it would not work but above all, he was there. Just knowing that was enough. It still is...

From London to Lisbon

I had breakfast and lunch in London, dinner in Lisbon. In between...a sad flight.

In September 2008 I came and spent a week in Lisbon walking around. It was the week before I took the plane to Brazil. On one of the days I went to Belem. I was anxious about my trip to Sao Paulo but I gained some perspective thinking of the fearless explorers who took their boats and sailed across the oceans not knowing what they will find. Compared to them, I knew what was on the other side so I pepped talked myself into it.

Months later that year I was in Belem again. This time though, it was Belem do Para, the city on the Amazon in the North of Brazil. I remember the first time I saw the river; I was not only impressed but I had one of those moments when I realized that I was living something I did not even dare to dream before in my life.

Now I am here again, in Lisbon, visiting dear friends after leaving London and some more...

Extended family

Aside from Radu, my younger brother, I have some sisters too. 

We met for the first time in 2003, all wanting to learn how to dance on oriental music. The first time we were all together, we sat in a circle and each talked about her reasons to join the dance club. None of us expected years after to stick together like family and to have dance as a link stronger than blood sometimes is. Marriages, PhDs, babies, new jobs, moving continents...we are there for each other when it comes to practically anything happening in our lives, through the bad and the good times.

It works like this: I send an e-mail to all asking anything from trivial to more life changing questions. In a matter of hours, a day at most, there are at least two replies. We never discussed this, we don't have rules, we did not even take some oath to be there for the others, we just are. I can't but feel humble when realizing how wonderful it is to have them as a part of my life; had they not been around, many mountains would have been harder to climb.

This is for them.

About crumpets, hot cross buns, and memory

The Brits are not renowned for their delicious food but there are two things I recalled liking during my first time in the UK: the crumpets and the hot cross buns.

The crumpets are round pieces of pierced dough which you toast and then spread butter on top. With some cheese they taste even better… Likewise, the hot cross buns are sweet buns with raisins inside that once toasted and covered with melting butter taste heavenly! A “Lady Grey” cup of tea with milk on the side and the day can start.

I had all these goodies for the first time while living with Nick and his family close to Manchester back in 2000. After 10 years, we met again yesterday to have lunch. Nothing changed; Nick’s voice got a bit thicker but other than that he is the same guy that bit my shoe on the bus from Arad to Brasov when we were still young and stupid.

It scares me how memory works, how it plays with time sometimes making it seem like infinity, other times making it feel like a split second.

And the rain came to London

Yesterday in London it was still October: 15 degrees Celsius, sunny, the perfect fall day for walking around...

November started overnight and it brought the rain. It's that rain like the tears one holds back until one can't anymore and it bursts out crying: the rain drops don't stop falling. With such a weather outside, the best place to be is inside. There is no charm in walking around, taking metros, wandering on unknown streets. Yet, there is something to be outside for...the air.

It smells like wet yellow leaves and with the wind that brings a fresh breeze from somewhere far, it's all so invigorating. I like it!

Classes

I went to school today and I attended econometrics at LSE. Needless to say I had not clue what the professor was talking about but I enjoyed the class and started thinking...

I recalled all those classes I took where I could barely keep my eyes open. Whether in university or at INSEAD, there were always times when I could just not stay awake to pay attention. There were also classes I absorbed and could not have enough of. Most of the times, the distinction was made by the professors. Although completely lost, today I enjoyed watching and following the logic of someone excited about what he was teaching...that was enough to make me stay awake.

Then I thought about how often we feel bored. At times I wonder what happens inside of us as there are so many things to study and discover in this world! A lifetime does not seem enough for everything that there is out there to get to know and yet, we often feel bored not to mention the times we waste with irrelevant things. I will keep wondering...

And with the London cold wind blowing outside, I say "peace out" and till tomorrow.

When the MBA gets in the way…

It seems that somewhere half way from graduation to the 5 year reunion, the majority of MBAs I know go through a crisis.

Many have quitted the job they got right after graduation, some are in the process of quiting as we approach the 3^rd year anniversary. An explanation could be the rush we felt upon graduation to get a job, anything to have an income, repay debts, etc. Some moved countries for personal reasons, others had children, and some simply got bored and want something else.  The point is, change is the constant in the lives of most.

When talking to some of them I am often left with the impression that the MBA is more of a barrier than an enabler for them to achieve what they want. It seems that the degree limits their search to jobs in the corporate world, jobs in consulting, banking or industry. And yet, administration and management is needed in other fields too: education, health, the public sector, the cultural world, you name it.

Why not search there? Why not forget about the MBA and think about the whole package that comprises not only knowledge but also talents, experiences, personality, beliefs and values that somehow are incorporated in each of us? Is it insane to believe that professional fulfillment is tailor made and not a mold that fits all?

50+, Monalisa and Baileys

I made it half way through the 100 days! It's time to start the countdown and if I am not mistaken, it will all end shortly before Christmas. Sometimes I could not even recall writing everyday, yet I did. Hooray! For the rest of the time I will mostly travel visiting friends around Europe.

Today I wanted to say "Hi!" to Monalisa but she does not receive visits on Tuesdays. A pity as it would have been nice to catch up, see how she has been doing in the past years, tell her a bit about my whereabouts, laugh, and say "Au revoir!" at the end.

John accepted visits though, so after a typical cheese and wine based dinner in Le Marais, Kais, Igor and myself headed to his apartment. There were drinks and talks about classical music, Dr Strange Love, INSEAD romance, and security online.

Oh, and there was Ivete Sangalo singing in my headphones as I ran today...I could not stop smiling!

J'adore and I

I cannot forget smells, fragrances.

Does it ever happen to you to walk around and all of a sudden to be hit by a very familiar waft ? The last time this happened to me it was on Friday as I entered the bus from the airport to the hotel; something brought back memories of a dear friend and I was transported a few years back in time.

My olfactory memory does not forget anything. It  knows what home smells like, what my mother used to smell when we were kids, what old friends had for favorite perfumes, what old fragrances I used once and are associated with various times of my life smell like. Just like J’adore; it reminds me of  January 2000 and the trip to the UK. I liked it ever since, it’s a different kind of friend I every now and then enjoy meeting. Like tonight…