It's been a while...

So the last trip was to India back in May. Wow how time has flown by. But it's time to get my jet setting shoes and wrap back on and head out to London. Yep, right at the tail end of Olympics. As you know I have never been accused of good timing.

This is a special trip for me though. Not only do I get to see one of my nearest and dearest friends in her new home but I also get to start a new project for my son and his preschool. Move over flat Stanley, Im bringing Fiona the world traveling fox along for the ride.
I have one main objective and that is to expose our kiddies to travel and all the wonderful places that there are to experience inside and out of the US.

So keep an eye out. Not only will I provide the footage content to Surf City Preschool but I will post it as well. And along the way I hope to set up a communication exchange program pairing up kids in the US with children of my colleagues and friends abroad. If you want your kiddies to participate let me know.

Well an hour to take off... Wine in hand, Brandon, Henry, Emily and Jenna in my heart, friends and family in my thoughts. Hopefully a pint of Guinness at the other end... Cheers

Mumbai the second time

Landed in India and am staying at one of the most amazing hotels in the world. Unlike my first trip I am staying on the in a colonial part of India feet of away to what is know as "the gateway to India". It is busy and loud but the iconic Taj Mahal Palace hotel is gorgeous. Service is five star and the rooms are unlike anything I have ever seen.

This is part of town is what I expected to see the first time. Not the construction ridden, jam packed area like Bandar. This area is lush with beautiful old buildings and a view of the Arabian sea.

I knew this would be a different experience than last. I'm am happy I have returned.

The train station in Mumbai

Off to India

Ok, I know I did a terrible job of writing about Brazil. All I have to say is that "I loved it and can't wait to go back".

So I promise I will do a better job with this trip. Different from the last India excursion I will be venturing out. Escorted of course but actually experiencing something completely out of my comfort zone.

Stay turned. This should be an interesting trip.

Latin America here I come

It is time to hit the road again. I luckily escaped any travel for the month of March which allowed me spend a ton of time with friends and family but I have to say I am excited about this trip. It will be a short 5 days in Brazil but I have a feeling it will be amazing both personally and professionally. I unfortunately will not be hitting the hot spots like Rio but I will definitely be back. Cant wait to share the details with all of you. Ciao!!!

Hello California

On top of the fact I miss my little man so much and the weather is about 40 degrees nicer, I am so happy to be home. Can't wait to fill you in on all the amazing details....

Mona Lisa ain't got nothin on me!

Aau revoir Paris!

So this whirlwind of a week has finally come to an end. The exclamation point was seeing the Eiffel Tour sparkle in the evening sky as we walked over the Pon Des Arts for the last time. It was the perfect end to what has to be the perfect vacation. In a matter of three days we were able to squeeze in The Louve, The Eiffel Tour, Saint Chappell, The Conceirge, The Catacombes and Notre Dame along with a few other tiny churches which still never cease to amaze me me by their detail and architecture. We ate wonderful food, drank amazing wine and put back some weird cocktails out of a baby bottle. I dont know where he finds these places but weird bars seem to be his forte. It never felt rushed and I can gaurentee we did our best not to look over anything. The best part about it was that it was done with Brandon. I will leave the romance out but there truly is no other place in the world as romantic as Paris, at least I have not seen it. Thanks to all of your for following me on my travels. It felt good to share especially when I was on my own. I have tons of pics to share and stories to tell. But most of all, thank you for the birthday wishes. Funny, I don't feel 40. So I guess it can't be that bad.. We shall see. See you soon...

Continued.....

As we walked to a bridge I still had no idea what was to come. But as I turned to walk across the bridge I see thousands of locks hanging from the sides of the bridge. Brandon proceeds to explain as he is handing a me a lock that this bridge "Pon Des Arts" is known as the love bridge. What you do is take a lock, attach it to the bridge and throw the key into the river. Basically binding the two people together for eternity. What you see is mine and Brandons lock. You can imagine my expression and the warmth in my heart, and the joy I felt that Brandon would do this for me. This is true love!!!

My heart will never be the same

It is only 930 pm in Paris but today has already earned the title of "most romantic day in my life". For those of you who are weak at heart STOP READING! It is about to get mushy and you all know I'm not that mushy. Besides the fact I am in the most romantic city with the guy I love, here is how my first hour went. Arrive at hotel, run into my boyfriends arms (ok a bit dramatic but go with me) lunch at little cafe next to the river sienne when my first birthday surprise arrives. This lovely lock box with 2 keys inside it. What could this be you ask?

What I missed this week :(

Me and chuckie lee

Pieces of London

Parliament

Just a peek at London

I love London

For those of you who have never been to London please put it on your bucket list. It never ceases to amaze me.. So after my traumatizing day leaving India I found myself sharing a pint with my old boss, one of my dearest friends and major pain in the ass, charlie lee. I love this guy... It is never a dull moment and he is an expert at London. Great food, conversation and endless walking around in one of the most architecturally insain places in the world. this is an easy place to be comfortable. It has been a short visit but I tried to make the most of it. Tomorrow I wake up at the crack of dawn to go meet my man in Paris. It is going to be one amazing 40th birthday. And the party won't stop there. When I get home my little man is going to take me to Lego land to celebrate. Isn't he a sweetie!

I think I could really win this.

But I'm not an citizen of India. Damn!!

Taxi!!!!

Wait! That's more like a rickshaw with wheels.

London calling...

There is so much to catch up on where do I begin... Saying goodbye to India. Although India was not what I expected I was sad to leave. That is until the hotel driver me took me to the wrong airport. Yes, I was stranded in a place where I knew no one and it was an hour and a half until my flight to London. I think my heart physically stopped for about 30 seconds before I pulled myself together and got into a cab. Now, let me be clear, these are not New York type cabs. I will attach a picture just so you can see the driving conditions. Needless to say I got to the airport, through immigration (a whole other story) through security and on the plane in record time. Thanks to a very well connected assistant in India, Olivia my hero, who was able to have jet airlines hold the plane for little ole me. It is good to be connected. All is well that ends well. After about 16 drinks and a meal I finally broke down and cried. Piece of advice, if in India and someone asks you if you are going to the domestic airport just say "no".

So today was just like another day at work in the States.  The conversations were the same "where is this prioritized?", "when will this launch?", "what’s for lunch?" but the faces were different.  It is amazing how the same issues a company faces thousands of miles away are consistent no matter where you go.  And for those work friends, you will find this humorous.  The freakin Wells Fargo office is right next to door to the Experian India offices.  Really?  Are you kidding me?  I can’t get away from that darn stage coach.  Can we please move on?

So still no pics, I know, lame.  But I do have to say I have has some of the most amazing food.  The curry is like no other as it should be.  I have to say I had the best Pizza Hut pizza every.  Try and get your heads around that one. 

To save my sanity, tonight I will finally make my way to a place where I can shop.  Have no idea what treasures I will bring home but I am excited about the hunt. 

Lastly, I am sadden by the loss yesterday of my beloved 49ers.  Although my back up team is in, "go NY" I am disappointed to not rock out to the 49er song.  And yet once again, we are playing Boston.  WHAT!!! But all will be fine when I see my beloved friends at the Super Bowl Party. 

More to come...

I have arrived safe and sound... There are no words to describe what the sure magnitude of this place and images that can’t possibly be captured on film.  I decided as I got off the plane yesterday to not be looking through my camera while I experienced my first impressions of India and quite frankly I am glad I did that.  Now I have to caveat that where I am staying in Mumbai is not the gorgeous part of India.  It is a financial district full of development and an economy on the rise.  So unless I am able to sneak out of this side of town, there will not be many pictures.  That being said, my eyes were wide open and jaw was dropped the entire way to the hotel.  The images of the slums are mind blowing.  There would be no way to describe other than you have to see it for yourself.  This is a country is a complete dichotomy.  India on the rise to become the 3rd largest economy with companies moving here to expand, buildings by the 1000s on the in varies stages of development and on  the other it side living conditions that will make you cry.

I am definetly overwhelmed and humbled all at the same time.  The people of are so lovely and gracious and such a proud people.  Yesterday I wanted to come home, today I am excited to hear about the people we work with here in Mumbai, their stories, thier families...

More to come.

The act of a guilty mother

Sent from my iPhone8 hours and counting

1 Day to departure....  Mumbai, London and Paris here I come

traveling Hank