Day off...

Sleep in....started to forget how it feels. We finally have a day off. Week has been crazy. You can feel the pressure and stress building up. The air is getting thicker and thicker in the office as more and more people come aboard. We are now around 55-60 but will be 450 by Monday. Mass orientation! So this week as been spent preparing material and training schedules for next week. Zach, Ivan and myself got the job of making an movie about the personal grooming and hygiene and other things to think about. Do not spit, smoke in designated areas, shower everyday, wash your hands etc. So we did some acting and I am quite confident that Zach will receive an OSCAR for best actor!! He is incredible in front of the camera. We still have some scenes to shoot and the editing part will take some time but planning to have it wrapped up mid next week.
The hotel is taking shape. The basement areas that will house offices, training rooms and the staff canteen needs to be done by Monday. And they will. Hundreds if not thousands of workers work their backs off everyday to get the hotel finished on time. So I am confident that we can open on the 2nd of May.
Thursday night was spent at a alumni dinner with some old students from Cesar Ritz. We were invited by the Director of Marketing from Cesar Ritz and his agent. Great Shanghainese restaurant...the sweet and sour fish was very yummy! We also got a complete tour of the Kunlun Hotel that is located across the road from ours. Very 5-star chinese...marble, chandeliers, restaurants with waterfalls, restaurant built like a french palace...nice but too much! They have a revolving bar/executive club up the top. Great view!
The feeling of Friday really took us by surprise yesterday. Zach was very unmotivated and excited about having his first day off in 20 days. We left the office early...7:45PM...and went to Schindlers Tankstelle...conveniently located across the street from the Saudi Embassy. Service was awful....but the food......weissbeer...steak tartare.....pork medallions with spatzle!!!! My god! And prices are great! We definitely are going back!!
So today is Saturday. Just had brunch delivered from the American Cafe. We need to have some treats on the days we do not work. Looking at going for a massage as well. Our backs do not like our un-ergonomic work place. Tonight we are heading over to Susanna and Gero's place to celebrate Susanna's B'day! Will be good to meet some people outside of the office.
And tomorrow....back at work. / Martin