FIRST BIZ TRIP
I've always envied friends for having the opportunity to travel for work and see the world. Well my chance finally came - my first ever business trip. I had mixed feelings of fears of what to expect, bring/ wear and excitement of setting foot in a place I've never been before.
Unfortunately, my eventful trip was anything but fun and rosy.
Checking into the hotel at 10pm, we had internal meeting that lasted till 1130pm. Then I declined dinner and opt to roam in the streets to see the city. Needless to say, most shops were closed by then but I am glad I took the walk because that was all I saw of Ho Chi Minh. We checked out the next morning at 7am and, along with luggage, went for a meeting that lasted for 6 draining hours.
Glad to be and finally on my journey to return home, I actually missed the last ferry back to the mainland, thanx to the #!?%^ cabbie's "sightseeing" detour. The glimmer of hope returned when there was 1 more last ferry at 5pm (I was to check in at 5pm). After much difficulty (no English), I finally got the ferry tix but only to end up in a stuffy airtight sealed cabin full of passengers under sweltering heat. In my sweat soaked shirt unbuttoned, windtossed hair and luggage on my side, I was an unkempt unglam sight to behold. For the entire journey, my colleague and I sat in complete silence; I have never felt this desperate need to return home. On mainland, we picked the most honestly looking cabbie after repeated animated emphasis we have a plane to catch. And finally, we arrived less than 40min before take off.
Things I learnt:
(1) I do not enjoy business trips at all. Being creature of comfort, I do not like major changes, even if temporary. Above all, I learnt that my time is not my time. At home at work, the company buys my time for certain fixed hours in consideration for remuneration (sounds kinda prostitution). The hours thereafter are at my disposal at my sole discretion. At work overseas, I am at their disposal at any time save for zz. I feel suffocated at this restriction and proximity. I need space and time to do my own things at my own pace.
(2) I need to buy a suit. I look fucking childish despite my age.
(3) I need to buy a proper working briefcase.
My next possible destination - Korea Seoul.
Unfortunately, my eventful trip was anything but fun and rosy.
Checking into the hotel at 10pm, we had internal meeting that lasted till 1130pm. Then I declined dinner and opt to roam in the streets to see the city. Needless to say, most shops were closed by then but I am glad I took the walk because that was all I saw of Ho Chi Minh. We checked out the next morning at 7am and, along with luggage, went for a meeting that lasted for 6 draining hours.
Glad to be and finally on my journey to return home, I actually missed the last ferry back to the mainland, thanx to the #!?%^ cabbie's "sightseeing" detour. The glimmer of hope returned when there was 1 more last ferry at 5pm (I was to check in at 5pm). After much difficulty (no English), I finally got the ferry tix but only to end up in a stuffy airtight sealed cabin full of passengers under sweltering heat. In my sweat soaked shirt unbuttoned, windtossed hair and luggage on my side, I was an unkempt unglam sight to behold. For the entire journey, my colleague and I sat in complete silence; I have never felt this desperate need to return home. On mainland, we picked the most honestly looking cabbie after repeated animated emphasis we have a plane to catch. And finally, we arrived less than 40min before take off.
Things I learnt:
(1) I do not enjoy business trips at all. Being creature of comfort, I do not like major changes, even if temporary. Above all, I learnt that my time is not my time. At home at work, the company buys my time for certain fixed hours in consideration for remuneration (sounds kinda prostitution). The hours thereafter are at my disposal at my sole discretion. At work overseas, I am at their disposal at any time save for zz. I feel suffocated at this restriction and proximity. I need space and time to do my own things at my own pace.
(2) I need to buy a suit. I look fucking childish despite my age.
(3) I need to buy a proper working briefcase.
My next possible destination - Korea Seoul.