What getting on a plane leads to
Every time we start our return to China from a visit to the US, I start to contemplate what would happen if I just didn't show up at the airport for my flight? What if the kids and I just did not get on that plane?
I don't explore these scenarios very far, because whether or not it could be true, it is very easy to create in my head a very rosy fantasy. This last time, though, only a two weeks ago, I posed the question to Randy directly. His answer was quick and to the point.
"Then Europe doesn't happen."
Ever since Randy joined his current employer, the interest in their products has increased in North America and Europe. Customers would often visit the local factory when they were surveying other suppliers and potential suppliers. Now he's achieved a level of interest and rapport with enough customers to justify visits of his own in their facilities. AND we get to go along.
It will be a very scattershot approach to a European tour, with our schedule determined by the customers. Many of the locations are industrial towns, but, heck, even European industrial towns have something! There's a bit of down time in between, too, so we'll take advantage of those days to take in as much as we can.
It's really happening. I got on the plane to return to Beijing and now we are about to leave.
I don't explore these scenarios very far, because whether or not it could be true, it is very easy to create in my head a very rosy fantasy. This last time, though, only a two weeks ago, I posed the question to Randy directly. His answer was quick and to the point.
"Then Europe doesn't happen."
Ever since Randy joined his current employer, the interest in their products has increased in North America and Europe. Customers would often visit the local factory when they were surveying other suppliers and potential suppliers. Now he's achieved a level of interest and rapport with enough customers to justify visits of his own in their facilities. AND we get to go along.
It will be a very scattershot approach to a European tour, with our schedule determined by the customers. Many of the locations are industrial towns, but, heck, even European industrial towns have something! There's a bit of down time in between, too, so we'll take advantage of those days to take in as much as we can.
It's really happening. I got on the plane to return to Beijing and now we are about to leave.
Comments
Natural wonders are going to be inundated with tourists at this time of year, so perhaps being less ambitious and going off the beaten track will reward you in the same way explorations of your home turf have? Here's an underground tunnel near many of the industrial centers almost as long as the Great Wall (NOT!) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maginot_line
Avoid Basel and Genoa tho' summer isn't a nice time to spend near their stinky chemical industry!
I look forward to hearing more...