Cricket on the Subcontinent

While J & N were snow bunnies I was in deepest darkest India - Gurgaon New Delhi to be precise for the 6 monthly Leadership meet. Arrived on Sunday 19th Feb, took a few days to acclimatize including another 14 hour bout of Delhi belly, then everything was fine. The rest of the team flew in on the Tuesday night, then let the fun begin. Five days with senior management which actually ended up pretty ok. We've known each other long enough now that we're starting the relax and get a some of the more difficult issues that people have a hard time discussing. Even when we all got smashed several times in several bars, no one got hurt.

Didn't do any touristy things this time, all business, restuarants & heavy drinking (Castle - South African beer). We spent one evening at someones home which was very nice & they looked after us all very well. Great meal & no-one got sick.

Saturday was the big cricket match. Management was split done the middle & back filled with the rest of our Indian colleagues. High heat - 35 deg C, 18 overs each side. Managed to score 20 runs (a couple of 4s) and take 2 wickets. Then we all retired to the members tent for Kingfishers (Indian beer) & presentations. We all had fun & the New Yorkers & Germans all now understand the rules of cricket - harder than they thought.

Sunday the entire India HUB had an off-site event at the Grand Hyatt which was all presentations, eating & drinking. Nice to relax with everyone including there partners etc.

So, what did I learn that may shape the Portman future........basically, I've got the following opportunities

• Possible 2 year stint in NYC - talking to one of the managers on Friday - J&N are supportive - return back to Oz for N's high school - we'd swing by Oz before going to NYC - early days, not even sure this role would suit me - let's see - informed my manager & he's ok with this direction
• New roles are being formed across the globe which I'm pretty sure I could handle now-a-days. Some in Asia - possibly Oz. Could be a little early to jump to one of those roles, although like being a trail blazer
• Staying in Prague for another year just as a senior manager helping with other functions coming over - the centre could grow to 120+ people by end of 2007 - not just IT
• Or just come home & be a surfy or climbing bum by the end of the year

Pretty boring stuff........................fun stuff still to come...........

• Paris in April including EuroDisney
• Greek Islands in July
• Venice/Dolomites in Aug/Sept
• No money in November :-)

J is about to start her TEFL (Teaching English as Foreign Language) next week for 4 weeks. So you mighten see many new entries again.

That's it from M.