[Sam Kapasi]

I cannot sleep.

I'm excited. At being here, at meeting everyone, at the fact that I am to address 200 people from around the world, at the fact that I am going to see TheOne® tomorrow.

I force myself to sleep in short breaks, but I realise that I simply cannot. I pop my headphones on and listen to some Chris Cornell. Morning will be here soon.

Breakfast is fun, I meet more colleagues from around the world. Soon we begin with a long day full of work and presentations. I am told that I am last.

Last? They'll all be asleep by then.
Exactly Sam-o. We need you to wake them up!

Jenny will arrive shortly after lunch. The presentations are on and while some are interesting, some really are quite, quite long, lol.

Jenny arrives and is happily greeted by all during the break. She promises to come to the presentation seminar when I'm on. I am really happy to see her.

Ladies and Gentlemen I now invite from India, Sam Kapasi.

It's a good presentation. I get laughs and claps and cheers. Egged on, I unleash the showman in me. It is great fun.

Here is a video excerpt of me at work.

YouTube - Sam in Amsterdam/ excerpts

Finally the day os over and the fun can begin for today. We are going to get into the bus and drive to a hip restaurant. This is Jamie Oliver's restaurant in Amsterdam and it's called Fifteen.

[Sam Kapasi]

I have not been to Amsterdam in 9 or 10 years. I had forgotten how beautiful it was. The ride in the bus to the restaurant takes care of that.
























Soon, we're there. The restaurant itself is modern and hip, but the staff are extra friendly and nice.

As expected we've taken over the restaurant. The manager of the place welcomes us all warmly (no, Jamie Oliver is not there) and tells us all that we're going to have a "lovely" gnocchi fr our main course and he has specially printed the recipe for us to take home with us.

[Sam Kapasi]

The music is cool and it's all quite hip. The restaurant interiors are different, right from warm wooden ceilings to graffiti sprayed tin walls.











In between the main course and dessert, they make the announcements.
It is time for the award.









I hear the announcement and walk up grinning. I love all the attention. I love all attention, actually, lol.

I deliver an impromptu speech and a joke. Everyone laughs, so I'm fine.

Later they announce the fireworks show and we all go outside to watch.



It is a beautiful night. Soon we will go home and I will spend a little time at the bar where everyone will want to buy me a drink and someone will perform a bar-trick causing everyone to lose great amounts of money.

I just hope I can get some sleep tonight.

[Speed Pujari]

@Sam- I am replying for the first time in YetiBlog but have been following it for past long.
Its really nice to go thru each and every post you do, a kinda smiley is maintained throughout on my face.

I may be travelling to europe this year tentatively end for a tour. Will need your help as I have near zero idea about the places there. Finding you there while I am travelling will be icing over cake

[Technocrat]

LOL Sam looks like you were amongst the few people if not alone who were not wearing a suit (first post on this page)

Congrats again, the JBL Swifts are shown there were they instrumental in getting the award?

[abhinav.gupta88]

Excellent blog as always Sam.
Loved the Presentation excerpts.

[Sam Kapasi]

I haven't slept much. I got home pretty late from the bar and have to get up early in time for the workshops.



Jenny is free for the first half of the day and opts to go sight seeing in beautiful Amsterdam.
(Jenny will cut in from here and tell you about her day and what she did, saw and went to)

I am dying to see the Keukenhof and I finish up the workshops and call her. Unfortunately it is already 2.30pm and most people don't recommend we go that late. Most people have taken a day or 2 to see the Keukenhof.

I am upset, I know we won't have time tomorrow. I go up to the concierge anyways.

Keukenhof? That's about 15 kilometers away. The package includes bus transport and entry tickets.
23€ per head seems like a lot... let me tell you in a few minutes.

When I entered the hotel, I had noticed a rather cute Fiat 500 parked at the entrance. I didn't realise what it was for. I see the poster then.

Rent the Fiat 500 - starting at only 15€.

I go back to the concierge, pointing at the poster.

Yes that is correct, we can rent you the car.
For 15€?
Yes.
15€??

He looks at me a little testily.

Yes. 15€ for 6 hours.
And I can take the car to Keukenhof?
If it is available, yes.

He checks.

Sorry.

My heart sinks.

The Fiat is taken. We do have a Smart we can offer you.
A Smart? My mind is racing.
Yes a Smart. It is a Cabriolet.

I am very quick to reply.

We'll take it.

-------------------------------

Dear readers:
Jenny might and probably will jump in with her views of Amsterdam later today. I am done for the day. This story will continue tomorrow morning. Thanks for enjoying it.
Sam

[Sam Kapasi]

Originally Posted by Technocrat

LOL Sam looks like you were amongst the few people if not alone who were not wearing a suit (first post on this page)

Didn't carry one. Don't wear one. They're all quite used to me by now, lol.

Originally Posted by Technocrat

Congrats again, the JBL Swifts are shown there were they instrumental in getting the award?

The award was for best Brand Building. It was not directed at a particular activity, but I am pretty sure the twins played an important role overall.

Loved the Presentation excerpts.

Thanks.

[srijit]

Nice presentation Sam Congrats on the award, and hope you do get enough sleep

[spadival]

Now I feel like such a sucker for putting that JBL mat on my car's dash. Just joking.. . Congrats on the award and have fun..

[muneemmk]

Then where is the rest of the story , had enough of waiting.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Sam, Congratulations on the award --- I don't often use the words, "my", "favourite", and "marketing man" in the same sentence, and almost never next to each other, but hey, if I ever need a marketing man, I'll be knocking on your door . I am sure your successes will multiply

That's my two-smiley ration used up, so I'd better stop there!

[TheOne®]

Originally Posted by muneemmk

Then where is the rest of the story , had enough of waiting.

When people do not post with immediate effect it might have some reason, don't you think? After all, there are other obligations in life, too.

As a matter of fact TheOne® has some technical problems which prevent her from posting or rather from uploading pictures!

[whitesquall]

Relax guys! let ThePair enjoy their hard earned glory! Guys, take your time! we can wait! Congrats Yeti!

[dkhatau]

Congrats Sam for the award and may you go still further in life and you deserve it the most. It is so very refreshing that many of team BHpians might not have met you in person but know you so very well from your blogs that you are family to everyone. Cheers.