Back in America. This video seems apropos with World Cup coming up (not for kids).
Monday, June 7, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Hash
Some of my friends took me on a hash about a month ago, but I just got around to getting the pictures off my phone. A hash was a originally a run through the desert, and while a handful of people on our route still ran (different trail), for most people it's more like a hike. Ours was pretty fun as it was out at a desert rock formation, so we got to climb up, around, and down them. Hashing is a western phenomenon and gives people in country a chance to meet each other.
Here are my softball buddies that took me.
This is at the beginning, looking toward where we're going. The group was large, but they are mostly behind me in this shot.
This is looking down from where we just climbed up to the end part of the group. They are in the process of snaking up the same trail I just went up.
The view from the top.
Overall, very fun!
Here are my softball buddies that took me.
This is at the beginning, looking toward where we're going. The group was large, but they are mostly behind me in this shot.
This is looking down from where we just climbed up to the end part of the group. They are in the process of snaking up the same trail I just went up.
The view from the top.
Overall, very fun!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Jeddah - Red Sea
You guys need to see pictures of me snorkeling in the red sea! I got baked, but it was a blast.
Next I like,
And finally, because I was snorkeling and not diving, some of the money shots:
I enjoyed the Red Sea. Those are my very limited snorkeling pics, but it was quite an adventure.
Next I like,
And finally, because I was snorkeling and not diving, some of the money shots:
I enjoyed the Red Sea. Those are my very limited snorkeling pics, but it was quite an adventure.
Pfew!
Sometimes I'm not that organized, add to that my uncle dying and I flat out screwed up. Over the last three months I had racked up 3 different late fees on the 2 of the four credit cards that I have.
Don't do what I did and let your payments slip away from you. I remember checking on the accounts, but somehow screwing up.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, remember that your credit card accounts are very negotiable. The credit card companies spend $300 to $500 just to get your business, so don't give up too easily. I wracked up $117 in late fees over the last two months. That's two to a citibank account and one to an american express account. In the American express case, I went through a rep. who couldn't help me, because I had already incurred a late fee six or seven months ago. The supervisor was happy to help me though.
In the second case, with citicard, I almost went straight to an account exec., and they were happy to waive two late fees to keep me. In the end, they'd much rather keep you than get new business, and if you're like me, you'd much rather stay than find a new card, so try to work something out and remember that you have plenty of power in the transaction.
I saved $117 in less that 20 minutes. Look, it wasn't a great spot to put myself in. And I did thank both these companies for their willingness to work with customers, but paying off late fees is not something you should consider standard fare. If you are a good customer, defend your status and work from there.
Don't do what I did and let your payments slip away from you. I remember checking on the accounts, but somehow screwing up.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, remember that your credit card accounts are very negotiable. The credit card companies spend $300 to $500 just to get your business, so don't give up too easily. I wracked up $117 in late fees over the last two months. That's two to a citibank account and one to an american express account. In the American express case, I went through a rep. who couldn't help me, because I had already incurred a late fee six or seven months ago. The supervisor was happy to help me though.
In the second case, with citicard, I almost went straight to an account exec., and they were happy to waive two late fees to keep me. In the end, they'd much rather keep you than get new business, and if you're like me, you'd much rather stay than find a new card, so try to work something out and remember that you have plenty of power in the transaction.
I saved $117 in less that 20 minutes. Look, it wasn't a great spot to put myself in. And I did thank both these companies for their willingness to work with customers, but paying off late fees is not something you should consider standard fare. If you are a good customer, defend your status and work from there.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Saudi Photos
Not much to say. Going to Jeddah this weekend and hope to have fun stories when I come back. Here are some photos a friend of mine took. Photos are moderately taboo here. They don't want you taking photos of cool buildings for terrorism fears, and it's sort of immodest to take pictures of Saudis you don't know. But my friend is braver than I, and a better photographer.
The two types of traditional Saudi male garb, the white headress and the checkered red:
All dressed up with no place to go. Saudi women have to cover everything, but their eyes. Other Arab women can get away with the black abaya (cloak covering their bodies) and a wrap around their hair. And western women can usually get away with just the abaya.
Austerity:
Always and everywhere, kids are adorable.
The two types of traditional Saudi male garb, the white headress and the checkered red:
All dressed up with no place to go. Saudi women have to cover everything, but their eyes. Other Arab women can get away with the black abaya (cloak covering their bodies) and a wrap around their hair. And western women can usually get away with just the abaya.
Austerity:
Always and everywhere, kids are adorable.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Phone Number Dictation
One of the interesting things about traveling are the little cultural differences.
In America, we dictate a number with a certain cadence: XXX-XXX-XXXX
In Saudi it's, XXX-XX-XX-XXX
In America, we dictate a number with a certain cadence: XXX-XXX-XXXX
In Saudi it's, XXX-XX-XX-XXX
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Internship
Haven't blogged about it yet, but I've got a great internship here with an investment bank called ICT Global. The company has raised capital and has prospective clients, but they are still going through the process of getting the proper licenses from the Saudi government. I'm learning a lot about valuation in emerging markets, and hopefully bolstering my skill set with some practical finance knowledge. Here's the text I've been using.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)