Oy yoy yoy. I have prided myself on being able to figure out what to call people based on their business cards. Just like we do in Canada, it seems the 3 names on the card are first/middle/last. Just when I believe I have that mastered. I encounter a gentleman who needs to be called Mr. {2 last names not just the last!!}. I am sure I will figure out out eventually.
I returned to the hotel as mentioned about 6:15 last night and embarked on a walk, one of many to remember. I headed out of the hotel, did a right then a quick left onto the side street that runs by the hotel. I sauntered through the normal sea of parked motorcycles and was still in what appeared to be the bathroom/tile/flooring sector of Hanoi. It was the same in Addis ... if one wanted a screwdriver, the first place to find was the "screw driver" sector. Stainless steel is very popular here as well as just about any plastic pipe from 2 cm up to 6 cm in diameter. I will have to remember where to go when I am laying some drainage system in my hacienda.
I expected a call from the IBM guys from work which I got about 7. I cabbed it back to the hotel and we chatted in the lobby for a while. We then headed out to an Indian restaurant which as it turns out is close to the World Bank and Hilton. Food was lovely and very spicy which ferenge loves. I was back at the Horison by 9:30 and watched part of he South Africa/France football game which FRA lost.
I noticed when I get in a cab and say "Horizon Hotel" nobody knows what I am talking about. When I get in and say "Hoareesun" they nod and we start the journey. This is something I already know ... pronunciation is most of the game. It reminds me of Dudley from the UK who heard me once use the word "no-men-cla-ture" and commented that the proper pronunciation is "no-men-clature" where the last "a" is soft and the last 2 syllables run together.
I met with the DBA staff most of the morning and will do so again at 2PM. A word on my buddy the translator ... her name is Trang so I call her "Trangslator". She does not know, but some friends of ours know that when Mikowaby refers to you with a nickname it is a sign of his fondness and liking you. She attends most of the meetings I have with MoF personnel. I have to remind myself to pause after every 10-12 seconds to give her the time to catch up. She is very knowledgeable in the IT jargon though needs some alternate wording for something from time-to-time so she ensures the translation is correct. I told her as well that when I return to Canada I will find myself pausing to allow someone to translate :). Tonight ... nada planned though will probably end up watching World Cup at 9PM. I contacted another ferenge from PA and if I hear back from him, we may get together since the USA is playing.
I walked for 10 minutes for lunch then quaffed a nice noddle, vegetable, and tomato soup. I am not sure what was floating in the broth; it could have been monkey testicles for all I know (and do not want to know thank-you!!).
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