Last day of 2016 in Manhattan

Crowd, every where only police(yes) trying their best to control crowd, every where barricade(where freedom?). All people bought ticket for different Broadway show, most of them booked table in different restaurant or pub, attend private party, and those people only allowed to go where they want to go, of course only to their planned destination.
And freezing cold, many people saying, Oh!Jesus, too cold!
Walked, dont know how many times, from down town to 59th street and came back.
Walking, watching people and dont know why thinking about 1 girl, more walking and was more thinking about that girl.
This thing happening first time in my life.
Wanted to go to Atlantic City but not felt like going there.
Wanted to stay at Times Square till midnight, but not felt like.
So back to work!

Again fall in love with same girl

2 years back was waiting to join one company. Certainly dont know why twitted to 1 girl, wish that girl donate all her money or I have to earn more money.
Went to Thailand, met and traveled with couple of girls but not liked their company though not thought about that girl.
Finally not joined that company and started my company.
Dont know why only thinking about that girl, working and thinking about that girl.
Last week when went to Serendipity 3 then also only was thinking about her.
Means I actually fall in love with that girl, again. I love to meet that girl.
After heavy dinner went for walk, saw some egyptian shop, selling egyptian bread and stuffs. Soon visit that country. When was walking thinking about that girl.
Its weird but true!
Last 2 years, many times fall in love with that girl and so will be in future, every day!

Serendipity 3

Its a ice cream parlor/sweet shop/where Sara Thomas and Jonathan Trigger had ice cream?Located near Bloomingdale, where 2 protagonists of the movie serendipity wanted to buy same pair of black gloves.
Well walked from Path 33 station, through time square, through crowd, by passing Hershey's Chocolate World where got 1 free chocolate bar. After reaching 60 st junction forgot where exactly Serendipity 3 located, yesterday posted location of it in twitter but not able to connect to net. East or West?Number of the store?
Thanks to 1 guy met at Starbucks got exact address of that store, he said Bloomingdale store near that shop and many departmental store, he said have to walk 20 minutes from junction of 60 street, from west side to east.
Walked, asked many, by passing 1 big park, crowded shopping street, overpriced stalls selling spices and souvenirs and finally saw that famous shopping mall where Jonathan and Sara both wanted to buy same pair of gloves on xmas eve.
Knew my destination near, other side of street saw 226, turned back and saw a grocery store, numbered 225, named Serendipity 3!entered inside and found full of people, a grocery store selling souvenirs, drinks and inside of that store a small restaurant, in 1 corner saw poster of Serendipity, Sara and Jonathan together.

When I went to wall street

I only wanted to work in wall street. Wanted to work on multi billion dollar equity transactions.
6-7 years back every night my only job was to apply to different boutique i-banks having office in Wall Street for job of analyst or associate.
Some wanted to take me for India/south east asia.
Then some stupid people to save their own career started doing craps, then my 1st priority became paying back study loan and for that having steady inflow of cash in India than finding out a job in USA.
Later those stupid people when found they not have any work then their stupidity increased.
But no one can change destiny. I started company 1 year back, though stupidity of those people not stopped but as now running my company so have freedom to do whatever I want. Now doing many things with which can penetrate USA market- its advanced analytics or process consulting and directly can work with any i-bank or any financial services company in USA.
So when started getting some business in India and in some developing countries thought lets explore USA.
Before that pitched to some companies, funds in USA for different transactions, interacted with CXO level people.
The day reached New York, sky was clear, weather good, seems the big apple was waiting for me and welcomed me with its open arms.
Yesterday went to Wall street, another bull landed, another bull met the bull of wall street.

Freezing outside

Its freezing outside!-2 *C in Munich!had to wear cap, muffler and jacket, after an eon using.
Met 1 nice girl at plane. From Florence, Italy, working as a nurse in a small town near Florence/Pisa. From a small village near Florence, she said not many knows name of her village. 6 years back, when was in class 11, went to Ahmadabad, stayed there with a Gujarati family, learned Gujarati and studied 1 year in a local school.
Again went to Ahmadabad to attend marriage ceremony of 1 girl of the same family, stayed there, this time for 2 weeks.
Was hungry, had veg food, wanted to watch 1 Ice age movie, but fall asleep. Woke up thanks to alarm clock of my smart phone, found still 2.3 hours from Munich. Watched 1 not so bad movie, Prince of Persia.
Again had veg breakfast, air hostess gave me 1st Hindu breakfast, found omelet and kebab, I asked her to give me veg breakfast and finally got Meduwada and upma.
Said her Bunoa Festa and she said Buon Appetito!
Pilot announced its -2*C outside. Had to wear all warm clothes. Instead of United Airlines, again fly in a Lufthansa flight from Munich to New York.
Next post in New York!

Want to sleep bit

Bit tired, continuously working last 11 months, wanted to achieve many things, gave 101% but not achieved much.
11 months back main focus was earning some money for company, people joining and then leaving in no time, had to interact with many not so competent impatient people.
Submitted many SOWs, but not able to sign contract. Thats a fucking frustrating period. Now everything not changed much, but submitting more proposals now and signing a few contracts. And even some in out side of India.
Want to sign more long term big contracts that can take some people, full time employees.
Good thing, got helped from some seniors,  considered to turnaround some companies. Considering to collaborate/form JV and do something together.
Slowly but steadily all initiatives going at right direction, still on track. Soon all initiaitives will have some full time employees, help to create some IPs.
And finally going to USA. Wanted to visit last year, wanted to start getting business from January 2016 onward. Not yet able to get ISO. Hope by end of H1 of next FY get.
Last year tweeted next xmas I'll be in NYC and will be finally.
My growth, my company's growth, my future, my family's future (finally fall in love with a punj girl, when 1st time I saw snap of that girl, thought this girl can become my best friend, found she is like me and she loves me. So done! Not want any other girl, moody, greedy, weird, selfish, psycho but she loves me. All negative things can ignore!) everything depends on how much able to penetrate USA and how soon!
Fleeing sleepy, next post in Munich, get some time!

USA via Germany- Coming December

Will be in USA from 20th December to 8th Jan! Reach NYC via Munich!

cheapacco.com- Portal for Backpackers

Launched new portal for Backpackers http://cheapacco.com/home/. Though 96% job not yet done.
Hope all backpacker friends get help from this portal.

Have plan to start a chain of cheap dorm hostel for backpackers, lets see what can do.
Also have plan to provide decent work/job to backpackers, when they travel and when not travel.
If require provide proper training to them.
Travel more, meet more people, eat more food, learn new culture more! Happy Backpacking!

Hong Kong Diaries-Eating, Living, Walking Hong Kong

Had 6 hours, no1 was there at transfer desk, ran to immigration, convinced others so not had to wait in the queue, got 14 days visa, ran to nearest money changer (7.20 H$ for 1 USD), ran and again convinced others so not had to wait in the queue to buy same day return ticket for airport metro, from Airport to Hong Kong Central and back (H$ 100). Took 24 minutes, from Airport to Hong Kong central.
At Hong Central, only big malls, e.g., IFC mall, skyscrapers, store of all well known fashion houses, office of all big banks.

Saw poor people begging, commuters running to catch city bus, cobbler polishing boot of some banker, some smart girls trying to make money by selling some fake products.
Was hungry, saw 1 restaurant in a narrow lane, ate there with local people, egg noodle (soup noodle and fried egg) with grilled chicken (H$ 29) and lemon juice (H$3). Mixed black pepper sauce, vinegar, chili sauce and soya sauce with soup noodle. Taste was awesome, though weather was cold but after my lunch I was sweating.

Walked around, wanted to meet some companies there, not had time and also not had any confirmed meeting.
Walked around, talked with some local people, read 1 article in a local English news paper, got free, more than 233 mn people have renounced Chinese Communist party in China.
Hong Kong is a big sea port.
Next time will stay couple of days and try to meet as many company as possible, hope get some clients and partners here also.
Hope visit Hong Kong soon and from here Shanghai, Beijing and Guanzhou.

Being Filipino-Come back soon

Liked Manila, liked Filipino people, crowd, food, live corals, pristine water, Jeepney, MRT/LRT!
Liked marriage ceremony at Manila Cathedral, 1st time I was present in a marriage ceremony!
Not liked eating Balut, fried squid.
Not liked the way prostitutes and their pimps pitched.
Met many nice people, had wonderful time with some, get some clients, get some partner.
Come back soon, Manila, miss you!
Started working, started pitching to companies, started following up with companies, will have meeting with 1 company tomorrow, conf-call with some.
Before coming here, watched many video clips on Filipino people, destinations, street food etc!and not had high expectations.
But here ate with local people, interacted and traveled with many, found out many new Filipino dishes not read about or watched in any video clips, a gem like Big La Laguna beach, money saver mineral water filling stores/stations, traveled in Jeepeney/MRT/LRT with local people.
And my good experience here defeated my not so high expectations!
Soon come back, get more clients, partners, will have more meetings and travel more, next time!
Next time visit Palawan, Cebu and Boracay!

P.S. No shuttle bus to Terminal 2 from Taft Avenue MRT. Ask taxi driver to use meter.
P.S.S. This morning MRT was not operating, so traveled in a bus from Buendia to Taft (Peso 12) and then in a taxi to Terminal 2 (Peso 106.5)

Being Filipino-Same day CEO and Chef

Eat veg food on Thursday. Its not easy to get veg food in Manila, mix pork in all veg curry. Gave up, got some cabbage, carrot and beans, soya sauce, fried garlic, chili, sunflower oil, salt, kalamansi from a restaurant and cooked vegetable curry in their kitchen. Had with rice (Peso 50), I am a good cook and vegetable curry was not bad. Was hungry, only had fruit juice and fried banana, whole day traveled a lot in Manila, met many companies, potential clients and partners.

1 company wanted to meet me on Friday, yesterday requested to have meeting today, woke up this morning and saw email from that company for meeting today at 11 AM, near Ortigas MRT station. Hope will work on different projects with that company.
Next meeting was at Tinoi street, near Torras street, asked many people but not knew that place, went to a police station near Shaw Boulevard MRT, all people working there helped me to find out the way to Tinoi street, some used google maps, some talked with their colleagues over wireless phone and found out exact location of that tiny street.
Next meeting was at Diliman, instead of MRT, traveled in a bus, bus conductor not knew where I have to get down, after that bus traveled in a Jeepney to Heart center of a Hospital, my meeting was at Ramcar Center and driver thought heart center. Again asked many people, most of them not knew where is Roces Avenue, and traveled in a Jeepeney to a place, from there another Jeepney to Roces Avenue.
Yesterday also whole day had meetings, in Ayala. Ayala is like Milan, all big fashion houses have store there, many big 5 star hotel, every where only skyscrapers and malls. I felt like I am in Europe. I had meeting with biggest telecom company of Philippines, during meeting pitching how we can help to improve internet speed here.
Yesterday after last meeting had chicken burger and cola(Peso 55) in a McDolands in a mall near Ayala MRT. Met 1 crazy Indian guy. And then had strawberry donut (Peso 13), and cheese-sausage waffle (Peso 20).

Yesterday night had all food I wanted to have day before yesterday night. Had Ham-Cheese-chicken roll (Peso 60), wanted to have fried big pork rib (Peso 50) but had a small piece (Peso 5), tacos (Peso 20) and then local drinks.

Yesterday woke up and met 1 nice girl from Sweeden, now studying in Australia. Wanted to have coffee but later changed her mind. Want to spend some time with her.
My last night in Manila, what wanted to do, get , did and got. Get some long term partner, clients here. Tomorrow morning flight for Hong Kong. Soon want to come here again, hope to sign contract with any of our clients.

Being Filipino-Hectic Day, Best Dinner

First meeting was at Eastwood City. Asked people at Hostel how can go there. 1 lady said, get down at Quezon Avenue station and from there catch Jeepney to Eastwood City. Found in google map, from Quezon Avenue to Eastwood City, 9 km.
Caught North Avenue bound metro, packed with commuters, from Buendia MRT station, got down at Quezon Avenue Station(Peso 24), asked some people out side of station from where can catch Jeepney to Eastwood city, most of them not knew where that place is, 1 lady said Eastwood city is near Cubao MRT station. Changed platform, saw many people in queue waiting to enter inside station full of commuters, had to convince security guards at station to let me enter the station instead of waiting in the queue. Boarded in a Taft Avenue bound MRT, got down at Araneta Center-Cubao station. Asked many people outside station, most of them not understood anything, 1 traffic police said from where can get Jeepney to Eastwood City (Peso 13). Took 15 minutes from station, many BPO-Call Center-IT Services companies have office in Eastwood City Cyberpark.
Wanted to repair my laptop, after 1st meeting went to office of HP near Quezon Avenue, 1 guy met in a computer repairing shop at Cubao said that is the HP's service center. Out side of Quezon Avenue station saw office of many BPO. Receptionist at office of HP said HP's service center is in Gil Puyat Avenue, near Buendia MRT station. And my next meeting was in the same area.
So again caught Taft Avenue bound MRT, got down at Buendia MRT station (Peso 24), walked and went to Gil Puyat Avenue. Had couple of meetings. After 1st meeting, whom I met was kind enough to ask driver to drop me at office where I had next meeting.
Many Filipino banks, insurance companies, goverment agencies have their head office in Gil Puyat Avenue. Saw some money changer, for 1 USD giving Peso 46.75, I got better rate last week at Ermita (Peso 47 for USD 1).
Whole day had only 1 fried banana roll at Cubao and 1 glass water, was hungry, saw many 7x11 store in Gil Puyat avenue, and after last meeting had Bola Bola (Peso 29) and energy drink (Peso 20) from 2 different 7x11 store there.

After last meeting went to HP Service center in Gil Puyat Avenue, engineers working there co-operated and almost fixed my broken laptop screen.
Worked bit at Hostel, planned for tomorrow's meeting, saw 1 email in my inbox, from 1 California based magazine, they selected my company as 1 of the 10 Fastest Growing Retail companies of 2016.
Was hungry, wanted to fill my empty water bottle, here water filling store operate from 8 AM to 8 PM, Nfally, my friend fom The Gambia, was also pitching for dinner.
After filling water bottle had dinner at same restaurant, where had dinner last 2 days, today got Kalamansi and salt from the chef of the restaurant, so I added those in my own spice mix of fried garlic, fried chili and vinegar and mixed everything with yellow rice (Java rice) and had with fried chicken (Peso 39).

Last 3 days not had fried peanuts with fried garlic, so had from a vendor near Ministore (Peso 5). Was walking with Nfally and saw many new restaurant near Ministore, had Ham-Sausage roll (Peso 10) first with tomato-chili sauce and then with BBQ sauce. Best thing had in Philippines so far. Then saw 1 vendor selling Ham-Sausage Pizza (Peso 79), had 1 slice (Peso 10), liked with tomato-chili sauce. My stomach was full so not had Fried pork rib (Peso 50), Ham-Chese-chicken roll (Peso 60), fried fish (Peso 35), Pork-bean roll (Peso 10) and Ham Pattice (Peso 50), will eat tomorrow.

Today's dinner was the best, my taste buds and stomach, are happy. People say food in Philippines not tasty, last 10 days food I only had not much tasty plain food, but after today's dinner can say, have to find out tasty foods in Philippines, some dishes are really mouth watering, make your taste buds happy.

Being Filipino-New Friends, More Work

New Friends

"I need some time to digest everything you said", Nfally from The Gambia said, when I was talking about my company, plan and inititatives in Nigeria. He worked in Lagos, Port Harcort and Abuja, where we want to operate. Last 8 years traveling, worked as an English teacher in Beijing in different schools, though not got work permit. Now in Manila, waiting for tourist visa for Dubai, he thinks it'll be easy for him to get a job in Dubai and any company will apply for his work permit.
"Any1 know how can go to Batangas port?" Heidi from Switzerland was asking to people at Hostel. I said her how can go there and not have to spend much. She is a ski instructor, when not ski, makes cheese, lives in a small village, 1 hour drive from St Moritz, "where only reach people live" she said. Last 2 years, during winter she is traveling, 2 years back traveled in all countries in Central America, last winter traveled in Caribbean and this year whole south Asia. Already traveled in Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia and now in Manila. Her friend lives in a small island in Puerto Galera and she is going to meet her. She loves traveling like a true Aquarius, loves scuba diving. I said her to dive/snorkel once in the water near Big La Laguna beach in Sabang, Puerto Galera. Gave her route map to reach there. She said she'll be there. She wanted to talk more but I was working.
Met 1 lady, from Cebu, a civil engineer, working in a real estate company in Manila, got a condominium from the company, that she said, but every week end she stays in the hostel now I am in, she said all staffs working here are her friend. She said real estate sector is booming in Manila, when I was coming to Gil Puyat from Batangas, saw new townships, new buildings, malls, construction completed or going on, targetted to Filipinos living abroad or working in booming BPO-Call Center sector in Philippines.

More work

When I was in Sabang and internet not working, not having skype call with my colleagues, only thinking about work, projects in the pipe line. After reaching hostel in Manila, started working like a crazy. Editing all presentations, marketing collaterals and loving my work. 1 corner of my laptop screen broke 2 weeks back and now having problem to close laptop. After reaching Mumbai, 1st thing will do to repair it in nearest HP service center.
Next couple of days meet CEO/Owner of some companies in Quezon City, Manila and already excited.

Being Filipino-Like a Filipino

Like a Filipino not paid to porter (saved Peso 20) at Sabang, traveled on a Father & Sons Ferry to Batangas (Peso 260) and not Sikat, travelled in a Jeepeney from Batangas port to Batangas City (Peso 8) and from there to Batangas Terminal(Peso 12). From there to Buendia LRT/Gil Puyat LRT in a local AC bus (Peso 157) and not DLTB bus.

At Sabang one day had BBQed tiger prawn not had squid not snapper not barracuda and not tuna even. Near Gil Puyat LRT station saw many local having fried squid (Peso 10), I had, and not liked.
After reaching hostel, washed dirty clothes, used small bucket like Filipinos.

Looked at myself in the mirror and found looking like a Filipino, with my beard face.
Filled my water bottle in a water filling store (Peso 5 for 1 ltr) near hostel.
Had fried chicken (Peso 14) near water filling store.

Saw many local eating yellow rice with fried egg/sausage/pork/chicken. I also had yellow rice, not sticky rice, with fried chicken. Saw fried red chili, fried garlic, black pepper powder and soya sauce at restaurant. Mixed everything with yellow rice, wish had Kalamansi and rock salt. 1st time in Philippines had proper meal, 1st time my taste buds liked taste of my meal.
Now have access to faster internet and so back to work. Working on all presentation, marketing collateral of my company. Was in a hurry when prepared all presentation, collateral of my company. Now time to edit.
Hope will start working on a project from next week in India and my company's balance sheet will be bit healthy, some junior can start working with us and able to pay them fixed salary.

Being Filipino-Lost and Found

And again miraculously internet worked at bar this morning. New post, email checked, paid for my room and found Anna and I are now connected in Facebook.
Met couple of nice old chaps, living life to the fullest in Sabang, wake up and start drinking at bar, then go to Pier and drink more. Some of them have Filipino girl- girl friend for 1 day or wife for months.
One of those old chap one day took me to some discs and bars near Pier. Was pitching for beer and girls(wife). Pitched to have pork sausage from the corner restaurant near Pier, I really like having chicken spring roll from there. This morning also he was pitching to me for some Filipino girls. I showed him snap of Anna.
Started walking to Lighthouse, 2 km from hostel. Saw local kids playing basket ball, locals eating breakfast, listening Luis Armstrong, bike guy pitching for paid ride.
Couple of bungalows/villas are there near Light house, some plot of land and house for sale. View of Puerto Galera, Sea, Coral Cove/Sabang Beach from Light house awesome.  

Not knew Sabang Beach, where I went on 1st day, dead coral full beach, located near fisherman's village, and Coral Cove same. Walked 2km, from Light House, saw some deserted house, mad dog barking, broken jeepney, houses/villas for sale, deserted resort and then found shitty Sabang Beach. Thank god not carried my snorkel with me like 1st day.
Yesterday lost snorkel clip when was snorkeling and a big wave hit me. So bought new clip (Peso 20), different type of clip for different type of snorkel that people use in Puerto Galera, but something is better than nothing.
Wanted to have banana-caramel snacks, found 1 lady selling spring roll and not banana snacks, near pier, so stuffed my stomach with spring roll and went to big La Laguna for snorkeling.
Met 1 nice girl from Shanghai, a fashion designer, ex boy friend a Scorpio and running business in China, present boy friend a German, traveled 6 months on his bike in India. 2nd time she is in Sabang.
Met 1 girl from Poland, last 2 years in Germany, working there and living with her German boy friend.
When was snorkeling, I really liked 1 blue colored fish with big thorn (crown-of-thorns sea star or seastar), and wanted to catch, but thorn of the fish stinged my finger. Next 2 hours I never forget. Pain, my finger paining, my hand paining, not had any idea how'll swim to beach. Some how reached beach, talked with local divers and washed my stinged paining finger with vinegar, found from a restaurant at beach.
Again snorkeled with my paining finger and hand.
Was talking with some local people, people from Germany holidaying with their Filipino wife and relatives, Filipino food not tasty, though they have all ingredients to make food tasty but they dont use those ingredients, say black pepper, ginger, coconut or coconut milk, herbs, garlic etc Here starting an Indian curry restaurant is a good business proposition.
Tomorrow will leave Sabang, thank God will have access to faster internet, start working, start following up with companies, start preparing for meetings will have next week. But miss, some time, pristine water, live corals, 1000s of different type of fish. May be soon come here, only for snorkeling.

Being Filipino-First day of 2016, Few Surprises

Miraculously internet was working at Bar! Checked email, after 7 days talked with my business partner Rohit!Messaged Rohit and Abhishek, my other colleague.
Greeted my colleague in Nepal, Mukesh. Posted new post, checked email, skype worked!
Almost all restaurants, bars, discs were closed. All were partying, celebrating new year.
Wanted to have Lechon (roasted pork) and had bacon with egg (Peso 24).

Due to high tide, water level was high, cloudy sky, almost whole day raining and still snorkelled, whole day. Met 1 guy at Big La Laguna, from Germany, met his Filipino wife 5 years back in Sabang, now has 1 kid, with his wife manages summer camp in Germany.
When was snorkeling, a big wave hit my snorkel and lost clip. As all shops were closed so not able to buy new.
Wanted to have banana snacks but had peanuts again from the corner store near Pier. Tried to catch fish with 2 Chinese guys near Pier water and this time was not lucky.
Roamed around and was waiting for Lechon vendor. Met that nice girl again, whom met couple of days back in a disc and gave her candy!She bowed down and said "Happy New Year" to me.
Had BBQed pork (Peso 10), BBQed Chicken wing (Peso 40), near Sea Shore resort, and got password to access their wifi hotspot, though not able to connect to the internet.

Near our hostel found big map of the village, found direction of Light House and coral cove. Today can go there.