Good day all and happy 2012!
I hope everyone has been listening to Dean Martin on their radios and watching “Elf” while drinking hot chocolate. I'm delayed, but Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! I’m home for a couple more days in Wisconsin, and it's been good time with family and old friends. There's also a REAL reason to drink hot chocolate (because it’s cold here…).
I’m gonna sum up a few things I’ve missed throughout my 12 months of traveling the Caribbean for a living. I’ve met some interesting people and had some solid, cultural experiences that I may have missed in other blog posts, so I’ll compile them here, with titles for each (and also a few photos). Bear with me - this is quite possibly my longest blog post thus far, but I promise I will keep it interesting and a bit humorous! I'm REALLY going to try posting more often starting after this one, with shorter posts, more frequently, and with photos. Thanks for reading, here goes:
Passport: Last month I had to forfeit my passport to the U.S. government for a week so they could add more pages to stamp on. Luckily I took a vacation trip to California for Thanksgiving week so that I could actually go w/o a passport for more than 3 days. I cut it close, though, because the pages where they stamp every time you go through customs were over-packed. Islands can technically refuse you entry into their nation if there aren’t sufficient pages to stamp. It’s supposed to be 4 stamps/page, but I had customs officers stamping 5 and even 6 on a couple pages. On my last trip to the island of Grenada, the guy told me that he’d let me in but that I shouldn’t come back unless I had more places to stamp. Whew.
Executive Platinum: Like I mentioned, I’ve been doing this travel thing for just over a year now, paying rent in Miami and island hopping on a weekly basis. This job is a lot of work, but it has its positives. One of those is the frequent flyer miles I’ve accumulated on American Airlines. In October I hit Executive Platinum, meaning that I flew 100,000 miles…that’s around 10,000 miles/month! Coincidentally, American Airlines has also just filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, so hopefully my frequent flyer miles are still safe and redeemable. So with this Exec Plat status, I avoid lines at the airport, get free first-class upgrades, can upgrade others to first class (come travel with me!), and the miles also count double (e.g., if I fly 1500 miles in one trip, I will get awarded 3000 miles). With the accumulation of those miles as well as my credit card miles, I think I could fly around the world at least one time, but the last thing I want to do is be in an airplane even more; however, I must say that I’ve learned to fully embrace my airplane time. No phone, no internet…a good 2-4 hours of ‘me’ time. I do lots of computer work, but also use the time to read, pray, write, listen to the iPod, and sometimes just stare into the clouds (literally). I’ve seen some beautiful cloud formations and vivid sunsets. And, as you can imagine, I end up chatting with a lot of my seatmates.
Speaking of airline miles, I’ve met a couple of guys who have over 2 MILLION frequent flyer miles on American Airlines…they are Executive Platinum for life. I hope I never travel that much for that long that I acquire that many…what a lifestyle.
Speaking of airline miles, I’ve met a couple of guys who have over 2 MILLION frequent flyer miles on American Airlines…they are Executive Platinum for life. I hope I never travel that much for that long that I acquire that many…what a lifestyle.
People: I’ve met lots and lots of people on planes, in airport lines, around the islands, etc. A few that stick out to me are in this section. First, the professional contortionist … this guy is from that tiny island of Montserrat and travels all over the islands and the U.S. showing how he can fit himself in a tiny box and basically fold like a piece of clothing. He said it is part genetics and part health. He is a Vegan who does lots of Yoga, meditation, and stretching. See the photo for proof of how this guy can twist his body.
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| The contortionist in Montserrat |
I was in St. Lucia about 6 months ago and was walking in to a hardware store when I noticed a guy in front of me with a Wisconsin Badger Football shirt on! Given my extroverted-ness, I approached him in my Milwaukee Tool polo and asked where he was from. He told me Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and I knew one girl there from running high school Cross Country, and of course he knew her. Small world.
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| A guy from Sturgeon Bay, WI, who I met in St. Lucia |
Speaking of small world, just a few weeks ago I was on a flight home from Bermuda, and the guy sitting next to me started talking with a couple behind us about football, and he mentioned he was a Packer fan. I’m like “Hey I’m from Green Bay!” He said he was from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, which is really close to my hometown. He went to Marquette Univ. and has lived on the island of Bermuda for 13 years as an accountant. Bermuda is an expensive island, and you don’t want to know what he told me he pays in rent for his apartment there. He pays more per year than I earn in an annual salary…I’ll leave it at that. So, of course, we talked about Wisconsin, cheese curds, brats, our accent, etc. He went to Bermuda for an 8-month assignment after college and has never wanted to move back. He skydives, crunches numbers at his accounting firm, and now even wears Bermuda shorts like the other business professionals on the island. Shout-out to Erik! And I'll have more on the wonderful island of Bermuda in January. Below are just some random photos I wanted to add in this post:
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| Random. In Tortola (a British Virgin Island) where my taxi driver had this WI sticker on his van because he'd driven around the Univ. of Wisconsin football coaching staff the previous summer. |
Walt Frazier – just last week I sat by Walt Frazier on a flight. Don’t know who he is? I didn’t either. Apparently he played for the NY Knicks and is a well-known NBA Hall of Famer. I just remember boarding the plane and saying “good afternoon” and “excuse me” as I slid past him to my window seat, noticing the bold, red cowboy boots he was wearing and that he was extremely tall. It wasn’t until we de-planed that a different guy asked me, “Do you realize who you just sat by for 3 hours?” Once he told me, I caught up to Walt Frazier in the jet bridge, said hello and that I felt like a moron because I didn’t know who I was, but I wanted to shake his hand and say Merry Christmas. He laughed and asked why I was in St. Croix, the island we had just come from. He went on to say he does Real Estate there and always uses Milwaukee power tools. Good guy! Here is a link to a hair commercial he was recently in (he's the one who says "your 'stash is trash"):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fucxG-he2qU
Barbados – allergic reactions, visitors, no electricity: So Barbados is one of my main islands, and if you read a post of mine from back in the spring, you’ll have read about my first experience there. I have since been there about 6 more times, and we went from having one hardware store on that island with Milwaukee Tool to FOUR hardware stores in Barbados with Milwaukee Tool!!!
Earlier in the year when I was in Barbados on a trip, I went to eat at this local restaurant that I’d been to before. It ended up being closed, but they had a grill set up outside barbeque-ing flying fish and pig tail. Yes, pig tail. I don’t ever turn a cultural experience down if I believe it to be safe, sanitary, and ethical, so naturally, I open-mindedly tried a piece of PIG TAIL. It tasted like ribs, but it was mentally challenging to eat, so I only had one bite. Well, 30 min. later I was in my hotel room watching my body slowly turn beat read from head to toe, and I couldn’t leave the restroom. I think it was an allergic reaction even though it never itched or anything. That was the first time I’d ever had one, so I freaked out a bit and did NOT call my parents. After some consoling from my nurse friend, Amy, and another friend, Brianna, I got in the car and drove to the nearest gas station to get some Benadryl. They had some Barbadian look-alike drug, so I bought what I hoped would be like a Benadryl and made it back to the room. It turned out to be a minor reaction , I survived, and will never consume pig tail again. It sounds like common sense, but until then I hadn't been traveling with any meds, but now I carry Benadryl, Ibuprofen, and Immodium AD on every trip. Never a dull moment!
Earlier in the year when I was in Barbados on a trip, I went to eat at this local restaurant that I’d been to before. It ended up being closed, but they had a grill set up outside barbeque-ing flying fish and pig tail. Yes, pig tail. I don’t ever turn a cultural experience down if I believe it to be safe, sanitary, and ethical, so naturally, I open-mindedly tried a piece of PIG TAIL. It tasted like ribs, but it was mentally challenging to eat, so I only had one bite. Well, 30 min. later I was in my hotel room watching my body slowly turn beat read from head to toe, and I couldn’t leave the restroom. I think it was an allergic reaction even though it never itched or anything. That was the first time I’d ever had one, so I freaked out a bit and did NOT call my parents. After some consoling from my nurse friend, Amy, and another friend, Brianna, I got in the car and drove to the nearest gas station to get some Benadryl. They had some Barbadian look-alike drug, so I bought what I hoped would be like a Benadryl and made it back to the room. It turned out to be a minor reaction , I survived, and will never consume pig tail again. It sounds like common sense, but until then I hadn't been traveling with any meds, but now I carry Benadryl, Ibuprofen, and Immodium AD on every trip. Never a dull moment!
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| Oistins Boatyard, Barbados Feb. '11 |
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| The fish market in Oistins, Barbados. Feb '11. |
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| Chantalle, the Canadian raw foodist who I met on my first trip to Barbados back in February. |
The next visit to Barbados was about halfway through the year, and I had two girlfriends from Dallas come along! Brianna and Kim, friends of mine from Texas, flew in to Miami and met me to travel down to Barbados—they for a tropical vacation and me for another business trip in paradise. It was a great week – I had work but it wasn’t overwhelming, so I went with them to a monkey reserve, underground caves, souvenir shopping, and we also saw a gorgeous sunrise and sunset. We were humbled halfway through the week when the electricity went out at the Hilton. Apparently the sprinklers went off in the breaker room and flooded the switchboards, and so for 24 hours the Hilton of Barbados had no electricity. We survived, showerless and a bit warm without A/C for a night, but it really wasn’t too bad with the patio door open all night, falling asleep to the ocean waves lapping on the shore below. I think Brianna and Kim had a great trip, trying their first fresh coconut water and learning to pick up on the crazy, thick accent when meeting the local Bajans.
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| Barbados Wildlife Reserve with green monkeys! Me and Brianna. |
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| They came and helped me merchandise! Thanks ladies! |
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| Beautiful friends :) Brianna, Kim, me. |
My most recent visit to Barbados was a trip without friends, with electricity, and with lots of Milwaukee Tool success. I gave a 90 minute seminar for one of my hardware stores about Milwaukee’s history, new products, and safety. It was extremely successful - great turnout and the follow-up with sales has since been increasing! That night I was at dinner with the hardware store owners when their cell phones went off simultaneously - we had made the Barbados National Evening News! For 60 seconds they talked about Milwaukee investing time and people into the island, and for about 30 seconds after that they showed my awkward face introducing the brand and talking about where we’re headed as a company in the Caribbean. My first (and most likely my last) TV appearance. Whether it was coincidence or not, recently after that TV appearance of Milwaukee Tool, a different Barbados hardware store who had told me they weren’t interested in Milwaukee Tool earlier in the year invested in a pretty sizable set of my product. Not sure where that change of heart came from, but I’d like to think it was the 90 seconds of fame Milwaukee Tool got on the evening news a few months back!
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| C&I Hardware's annual Milwaukee seminar...me teaching the guys! |
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| After the information session, we had lots of Q&A and sales! |
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| Event successful! C&I Hardware team, Barbados Sept. '11 |
Hitchhiking in St. John: Now that I have your attention, I did NOT hitchhike in St. John, but I was informed of how common it is. Just for y’all to be aware, if you’re ever trying to hitch a ride on this island, do NOT hitchhike in the typical way, sticking out your thumb. It’s all about the pointer finger in St. John, and if you want to blend in, be sure to stick out that forefinger and remember that they drive on the left side of the road.
Open bar in the hardware store – only in the Caribbean: In October I attended an annual event at a hardware store in St. Croix. It was a weekend-long event called Tool Time, and I set up my usual demo tables and had my t-shirts and hats ready to give away to Milwaukee customers. The unique aspect to this event was the open bar and live calypso band in the hardware store. They charged a $10 cover to get in to the store (which was donated to a local charity), and then once you were in, there were two open bars in the hardware store along with waiters walking around with appetizer trays and a live calypso band singing the usual island music while playing the steel drums. The event was a fairly solid success, but more than anything else it was entertaining watching the hardware store bumping like some Miami club while I babysat my power tools, making sure that none of the men who were overdoing it on rum punch were trying to driving screws into the 2x4s I had out. Never a dull moment, and only in the Caribbean…
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| My rocking Milwaukee booth at Tool Time, Gallows Bay Hardware, St. Croix. Oct. '11. |
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| Notice the background...it was more of a social evening than a selling event. |
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| The guy in the middle is the store merchandising manager and the one on the left is Dave, a loyal Milwaukee customer. By this time, though, he had had one too many rum punches. |
Cayman Islands: I haven’t written at all about Grand Cayman Island because it’s one of my more recently-acquired islands that I’ve only been traveling to since October. It’s another beautiful island, just south of Cuba and a 90-minute flight from Miami. Grand Cayman is flat as a pancake and is known for its ‘Seven Mile Beach’ that extends - you guessed it - 7 miles long. The island is known for its snorkeling. It is a part of the Cayman Islands (which also includes Little Cayman and Cayman Brac). I like the island, the people are really nice, the beaches are gorgeous, but I would probably never go there on a personal vacation. It’s a bit too fancy for my taste with no mountains and way too many tourists and American food chains.
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| Sunset on Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman Island |
I have a big hardware store there that I held a Milwaukee Weekend for last month. I did in-store demos of tools and their accessories for two full days, and sales went really well. I got out the ole cinder blocks and 2x4s to demo the tools as well as the M12 Radio connected to a battery and my iPod to show the superior sound it pumps out. At the end of the 2nd day, I finally met the owner – Al Thompson (the store is called A.L. Thompson’s). He’s well-known all over Cayman and the rest of the Caribbean as are his annual Christmas parties. He’s been known to go all out on his annual party, inviting all his friends, employees, and vendors either to his grand house or on a boat to eat and drink and dance the night away in honor of the Christmas season. The party happened to be that night, and I got invited. He rented out a portion of the beach (seriously...who rents out part of the beach?!), and I had some good local food, chatted with some big wigs, and busted a few moves on the dance floor (the beach!). At one point, they played some Latin Spanish music, and one of my favorite salsa songs came on. It’s a song by the late Celia Cruz, and while we were on that beach dancing our own salsa/cumbia moves to the song, I couldn’t help but think about a Youtube video I’d seen of that song from back in the 80’s. The song is called “La Vida Es Un Carnaval,” and it’s one of the most famous salsa songs to date. The lyrics and the beat are solid, and I frequently dance salsa to this song when I go out in Miami. Watch this video, and you can get a good feel of what I felt like dancing to that exact song on the beach in Grand Cayman (a little bit more conservatively-dressed, of course)! Here is the link:
Well, you've reached the end of the longest blog post of Banana Adventures to date! Overall, the year of 2011 with this job was full of adventure, lots of hard work, and unforgettable experiences through diverse cultures with neat people. It's pretty awesome to scan the Caribbean geographically in my mind and know over 15 islands and their unique cultures via the people and hardware stores. The adventures will be continuing into 2012, continuing to do what I'm doing for work, with higher expectations from the CEO and my manager and therefore harder work from me. But, I'm ready for the challenge, and even when I get down and a bit lonely through this unstable traveling lifestyle, I remember that it's temporary and that the way I'm growing in my career and especially as a person is irreplaceable. I never would have thought that 2 years out of college I'd be building a power tool brand in a new market ... booking my own flights and hotels and car rentals, finding my way around islands, and building business throughout. I'm truly protected through all of this adversity and travel. God has His beautiful hand in everything, and without putting my trust in Him, last year would not have been as fulfilling as it was. I'm extremely blessed with the way this job has changed me into a more independent, patient, accepting, and self-driven person. I look forward to another wonderful year continuing along this tropical Milwaukee Tool path, residing in Miami where I speak more Spanish than English, and being thankful for this beautiful life.
Thank you for reading...congratulations on making it to the end. Like I said I WILL write less in the rest of my 2012 blog posts. Everyone stay in touch with me, and as they say on the islands, "All thee Best!"
-Anna Banana
Thank you for reading...congratulations on making it to the end. Like I said I WILL write less in the rest of my 2012 blog posts. Everyone stay in touch with me, and as they say on the islands, "All thee Best!"
-Anna Banana
