Lotus Forum, Moscow
October 1 2004
Today has been quite the blur, let's see how I do on the memory recall test:
- I don't think 770 showed up, but we definitely had several hundred partners and customers at today's Lotus Forum. It felt to me like a very good event, and I was pleased to meet several new people this year. The local team was great and supported the event well, definitely a first class operation.
- I attended a press conference and also did a 1-on-1 press interview. The reporter noted at the beginning of the interview that he was aware of my blog -- from that, and his questions, it was clear he had done a lot of homework to prepare for the interview. Some excellent, thought-provoking questions, and a good chance to learn more about the local market. The Domino Express offerings are especially important and useful in a country like this.
- I managed to change my flight to St. Petersburg. My colleague Igor was a savior -- took me to Pulkovo's offices to exchange the ticket. While I understood little of the discussion, I was intrigued by the interaction between Igor and the airline ticket agent. It seemed to be a much more involved transaction than I expected. Igor told me later that the ticket agents liked my US passport -- said it was "colorful". I guess they don't see many of us in that office.
- We had dinner down near Red Square and the Metropol hotel tonight. In a quick post-dinner walkaround (to let the vodka settle, of course) I noticed one major change from the 2002 trip -- The Hotel Moskva is gone! Lenin must be rolling over in his grave.
- Once again, somehow we managed to pay US$20 for a five minute cab ride. Don't get me started...
Post a Comment
- 2
Ed Brill www.edbrill.com | 9/30/2004 10:05:27 PM
The room I presented in had simultaneous translation from some unseen translator... so no idea how it went. I didn't tell any jokes.
Jason Dumont presented in another room where the translation was start/stop, and he says that the audience was very interactive and also laughed at his jokes.
The translator we used for the press interview was very very good, and understood not just the IT stuff but also was able to frame my responses very well. Only problem was he wasn't introduced to me as a translator, so on the very first question, which was asked in English, I gave a five-minute answer before shutting up and letting him translate!
- 3
Volker Weber http://vowe.net | 10/1/2004 3:31:16 AM
How do you know he was not lying? ;-)
And 5 minutes. That would be around 1200 words. :-)) But it is actually much better than Steve or Irving. They cannot answer under 15 minutes.
- 4
Sergey Simakov http://geekswithblogs.net/ssimakov | 10/1/2004 7:37:48 AM
One of translators in start/stop sessions definitely shorten Robert's sentences.
And may be next year you also would not see Rossiya hotel ({ Link } - there are plans to reconstruct it ;-)
- 5
Nanook | 10/1/2004 10:08:37 AM
Wow, I love the sales pitch for the 'Standard Single Room' there at the Rossiya hotel!
{ Link }
The Rossiya offers a large number of as yet unrenovated Single Rooms, offering views of either the hotel inner courtyard or one of the neighboring streets. These rooms are very small, feature old furniture and dated fixtures and are not recommended by Moscow Hotels to its clients. Amenities include one single bed, a small table and chairs, a small desk, telephone, a TV with local channels and an old refrigerator. The bathroom is again very dated in style and contains a small bath and WC.
I suppose you could stay in one of those and save $$ for your cab fares!
- 6
Roberto Boccadoro | 10/1/2004 4:20:58 PM
My 2 Euros.....about the fun in Moscow.
Never had to pay 25 $ for breakfast in any city I have been before. Took me 1 hour to get in the country (I did not pay for the bypass) but it took much more to get out. They must have liked me a lot and wanted to keep me :-) 2 hours in various queues in Sheremetyevo is not something I reccomend to anyone. Add to 1.30 hours in the cab to get there..........
Having complained, now I have to say that I liked the Kremlin, definitely worth seeing. We found a nice lady that was our guide, good humoured and very good with explanations. That is money I do not regret having spent.
- 7
Ed Brill www.edbrill.com | 10/1/2004 7:12:30 PM
Though of course you forgot to mention that you -had- to spend it... "closed today except for guided tours." Heh.
Sorry to see it took you so long -- my drive was about 1:15, and we pulled into the airport just as your plane was taking off.
@3 vowe - I only gave -one- five minute answer. The others were quite varied. You know I can get "on a roll", but it is harder with a translator ;)
How was the translation.. did you make any jokes ?