Buckeye Mike

Ok, finally got out to a jobsite today, 40 miles or so from Santiago. I cannot name the company we are working for, but imagine a 60,000 square foot warehouse full of racking that looked like someone had turned it over and shook it. Now imagine 5 of those side by side by side. It is a strcutural nightmare. First they had to shore up the buildings to avoid collapse. Next they had to figure out how to remoce the 2 million or so boxes from the facility. After we accomplish that, we will decide if the structures are repairable or need taken down and rebuilt. I toured the facility and then talked to the Project manager onsite. After our conversation, he decided he didn't want me to leave. So I am now assigned to that job as logistical manager. In a country where we have no vendors, no relationships, and most of the local supplies have been exhausted, I am charged with aquiring anything and everything we need for the project. From heavy machinery to boxes, I have to support a 10 million ...

This morning at 10 my boss and I tried to find yet another place in Santiago where we had a meeting scheduled. We got to a very busy corner in downtwon when he said its close to here, I am gonna walk, park the car and find me. He got out and I turned right and discovered there was no easy way back. All of the streetswere one way, away from where I was going. And hour later I meandered ack to the Sheraton where we have been meeting everyday. I emailed him and told him I was there. Another hour passed and no word, Then another. Started to worry. Finally he called and told me to walk around the corner to a restaurant where we were to have a lunch meeting. I walked. 23 blocks later I found the restaurant. But it was worth it. Best pizza I have ever had hands down. There is a pic of the place on FB. Afternoon meant a lot of running. Then a dinner meeting. I love having dinner here. Its always like Thanksgiving. So much food and great conversation. I also love a day when I had lunch with peo...

Today began with an aftershock waking me up out a dead sleep. Being on the 8th of 24 floors in this hotel, it was unsettling to say the least. 5.6 on the richter scale according to the local news, the people here barely batted an eye. But from an American who lives in Ohio, yeah, little alarming to feel the building shake when you're 8 floors up. Met the boss in the lobby this morning for our trip to the American Embassy. He had the address and with our handy dandy GPS we bought at the mall, we shoulda been set right? HAHA, um no. It didnt know where we were going either. It said it did. But After telling me to turn into traffic on a one way street, taking me through the mountains only to have me pull a u turn, and finally just telling me to drive to the highlighted route, it went into the glove box. At 10:30 we made it there for our 8:30 meeting. Next stop a hotel in midtown where more of our people were staying. This time we paid a taxi driver to let us follow him to the hotel. W...

Today was a good day, sorry i dont have any new photos to post. I am sure there will be more tomorrow. I went to the Spermarket today, then to the mall. It was packed, its the center of the universe here I am convinced. Came back to the hotel and caught a cab to Old Santiago. Though it was only a 20 minute car ride, its a vastly different view of the city. Boarded up buildings and people asleep in the street. We got out and wanlked around for a few, but the comfort level was down and people were eyeing us. So we jumped back in the cab and came back. Worked out tonite, ugh, I am gonna be sore tomorrow but I am determined to come back in better shape than when I arrived here. Now I am in the hotel, relaxing, watching Criminal Minds in English. I am amazed how americanized it is here, almost everyone I have met speaks some English. All the signs are in Spanish and English. Most the television programs are in English with Spanish sub titles. Tomorrow is gonna be a very busy day, so I may n...

I created this blog today, March 28, 2010. The original purpose is to log my time on Santiago, Chile. I am here for work, but am really enjoying the culture and sights. I will try to blog daily, some maybe serious, some funny, some just rambling. But I hope you enjoy. Update later, gotta go to the shopping center............