Simple Surprises

 I was in Amsterdam last week for the 6th time and I got hit by a bike. It’s okay, the person I was walking with was very casual about it and said that you really haven’t truly traveled to Amsterdam until you’ve been hit by a bike. Bikes are everywhere, one is surrounded by cyclists speeding in every direction. Everyone rides these old worn out bikes. Nicely dressed women in skirts and boots ride their bikes. Men in suits on cell phones ride their bike. Children sitting in handlebars or the back seat ride with their mom. Parked bikes are everywhere and it looks so normal. I don’t think any look tempting enough to steel and how would one begin to decide which to steel.

This time I stayed at the Lloyd Hotel- this hotel used to be a Juvenile Penitentiary years ago. My room felt a step above a cell room, it was creepy. The oddest thing was the bathtub. It took up the entire room. No desk, closet, chair but one huge bathtub big enough to fit a family of four.  

I had a fantastic train the trainer session with Cisco who selected TeleSmart as their new hire sales training program. They will offer their global inside sales team members and inside sales channel teams Tools, Technology and TeleSmart for the 10 days of new hire. So last week I spent time certifying the global trainers. What a talented group, they were an absolute pleasure.

When Saturday arrived, I couldn’t wait to get back home. I had started packing days before because I wanted to make a quick exit out of the Lloyd Hotel and never come back. The red room with the tub would become a distant memory.

Wait, is that Robert Scoble walking out the same front door as me. Robert is one of the biggest blog gurus out there and now he is with Fast Company TV interviewing the coolest people.  I also like reading his wife’s blog, Maryam Scoble. We shared a taxi to the airport and talked- it was most excellent. Thanks Lloyd Hotel!