USI Roadtrip: Return to New York

People think "Oh you're going to the US for work, that's awesome!". It is and it isn't. I'm still not at that phase where I don't enjoy traveling for work, particularly with all the restrictions over the last couple of years it is nice to get out. But it's not all glamour. I think our busiest day was a 7 am start for client meeting 2 meetings throughout the day and the a final meeting at 9 pm. The days can be long, there can be a lot of dead time. The hotels where we stayed for one night, we barely unpacked and kept all our stuff inside the bag. The destinations where we didn't stay over night we had luggage with us. 

Despite all of this it was good to talk to clients, see colleagues as well as catch up with friends in New York.

 

HCMC

Have been looking forward to this destination for some time. Bit of solo travel to clear the mind. Taking advantage of the remote working policy. One hour time zone difference means I'm up a little earlier, have breakfast, work throughout the day and sign off early to explore Ho Chi Minh. The city itself has changed so much, but there's still a rawness and the old time favourites still hit the spot.

Really enjoyed this trip, amazing food, the excitement of traveling in a country with minimal communication, great food, the heat, access to a gym. All great for the soul.

East Coast

The annual trip out to the East Coast, I'm grateful that this year's trip is earlier in the year. I still have (traumatic) memories of last year's post-Thanksgiving trip and being severely underprepared clothing-wise. The confronting reality that I'm a thirty-something year old profession who is incapable of keeping myself warm is concerning. The already positive of this year's trip is that it is earlier in the school semester so I'm less troubled about school and missing out on assessments.

Marketing trips, on paper sound glamorous. Business Class flights, Five Star Hotels, Client Drinks and Meals. However, there is a side to the travel when you're sitting in a bar trying to keep warm waiting for the next meeting at 10 pm. I can't imagine having to do this trip solo, so I'm thankful that I get travel with one of the more senior colleagues. Who admittedly, managed to keep me sane especially during the times of attrition, late night meetings, early morning flights. Our trip this time of the year was targeted, hitting up prospects and clients mostly in New York, Virginia, Washington DC and finally Chicago. Another successful trip, multiple clients, plenty of wins as well as some quality downtime around the East Coast.