Friday – Smooth Sailing – Just Before Leaving
For just the second time in the week, I was able to meet Connie and Steve for the complimentary breakfast in the Lalka restaurant, in the Hotel. (They had met every day, but that doesn't matter.)

We were in the offices at about 8:00 am. I planned the meetings for the day. My head was clear and I managed to get some well-needed work done for this one project. As I thought about the situation, I diagramed it. When I was done, I had something somewhat tangible. I talked to my boss about it and she liked it. Great. I had back to back meetings which went well.

I felt a lot better. Some of the younger Polish colleagues were suggesting that my sickness were a "unique Poilish souvenir." Janusz, their boss, made an example of me and made it known that he felt that my cold was not, in fact, a Polish "souvenir," but instead, a result of me partying too much the weekend before. (I made the mistake of sharing some of my plans from the weekend before. Sometimes it is risky to share personal stuff with managers—they can turn around and use it against you later.)

Interestingly, later in the day, he had made some comment like, "Hey. If you want to stay and work from here. Just stay. We like you here." Don't tempt me, buddy.

At 5:00 pm, I began the process of saying goodbye and ordering a taxi. I think I took the wrong taxi back; it was kind of confusing. I was back at the hotel by 6:15 pm and I was to meet up with my bosses at 7:30 for dinner.

SHOPPING

But, I wanted to shop! I ran briskly through the snow to the shopping district in front of the infamous palace of science and technology.

Specifically, I was interested in H&M and C&A. Both did not have anything special. (I was looking for some new work clothes.) In C&A, I did find a nice long sleeve T-Shirt and some grey pants that I liked. I bought them along with some socks. I rushed back to the hotel. It was really snowing and walking on the streets of Warsaw is difficult when there is fresh snow, due to the mush.

DINNER WITH THE BOSSES

I made it back on time and I suggested that we jump into a taxi and go to Pizzeria San Marzano on Świetokryska (I learned that name for the taxi driver.)

We got there around 8:00. We split a couple of appetizers. I had a delicious warm cucumber soup (reminded me of squash soup—which I love.) The main course was a fancy pizza.

Over a nice Chianti, we talked about a lot of non-work stuff, including current events (ex. Michael Jackson case) as well as film and literature. You know, in professional circles, it sure does help to read. It can give you something to talk about.

I could tell that Connie was getting tired. So, we got our check and ventured back out into the cold, into the heavy snow.

We flagged down a taxi and it pulled to the curb. At the last minute, I told Connie and Steve that I would be walking as it was really something to see the city with snow. (At least for me, it was.) And heck, I was just a couple of blocks from Fantom.

LATE NIGHT

Last week, the bar had been full of younger professionals. A nice crowd that was talkative. I would characterize this night as being full of "a desperate group of misfits." I was not impressed. I could not find a place to sit, so, after a beer I left. (Kind of expensive beer. 16 zł for entry + 5 zł beer + 1 zł tip = 22 zł or $7. But heck, it's that much in Western Europe. I also like to think that I was supporting the local economy.)

It was 9:30 pm or so and the diplomatic district, where the Sheraton is located, was quiet in terms of car traffic. The snow was still falling. It was kind of similar to the magic of the snow in Krakow (despite the up to 2" thick mush/slush on the streets.)

I hurried back to the hotel and grabbed my camera and took some pictures. As much as I give Warsaw grief (most notably, about the piss poor zoning,) it really is beautiful. You have to accept her for what she is. Feeling better, I felt like it would be nice to stay longer. That feeling passed and I went back to the hotel to pack.

I had a remainder of a bottle of vodka, so I finished it with some juice that I had bought the day before. Waste not want not, right?

I loaded the iPod Shuffle and grooved and packed. Knowing that I had done a lot of shopping, I took special care to roll my clothing and roll my treasures in with my clothing. This proved to be very successful as I had enough space, without having to use the "extension." Heck, I could have bought more! (In the end, I bought more on this trip than I did on my last one.)

I set my alarm for 4:30 am and hit the sack. It was 12:15 am. I'll sleep on the plane.
- posted by Matt @ 6:08 AM