Mama's First Visit

After my epic adventure in the brewery last Wednesday, I returned home to my mama as fast as I could so we could see parts of the city during the daylight. I of course took her to my favorite part of the city, Casco Viejo, where we hopped out of the taxi at the entrance and wandered our way into the area. As I’ve mentioned before, the entrance to Casco Viejo is beautiful and all renovated. Plus as you round the peninsula toward the end you have a spectacular view of the city.

While waiting for Johana to join us I showed my mom all the best spots and my favorite buildings thus far. Plus I told her about my life goal of buying one and fixing it up. Being the great mommy that she is and just as visionary as I am, she even put in her two cents on which I should consider. We ended up picking the same two. One facing the pacific where you can see the causeway, canal and all the boats waiting for it, the other in a plaza more of less facing the bay and the city next to the National Theater. They are perfectly positioned with just enough structure left to give guidance without hindering creativity. I really am in love with the area.

While wondering around Johana made her way to our meeting spot at the French Plaza at the very tip of Casco Viejo. We met up and headed back to a little plaza at dusk to try some Panamanian ceviche. Ceviche is originally from Peru but these days most coastal Latin countries have it made with whatever the local fish it. If you haven’t had ceviche, you must try it! While snacking on our little appetizer I was switching back and forth from English to Spanish for Johana and my mom. They were able to talk a little between each other since Johana speaks some English but on my mom’s part, nothing. So we tried to teach her and big and had some big laughs. Like most people learning, it was tough for her to roll her R’s so to say “que rico!” (which means, how good when referring to food) was mildly hilarious.

After ceviche and wine we wandered back to the farthest point in Casco Viejo to look around and maybe grab a bit more to eat. I showed my mom the secret of the obilisque, that one of the large plaques opens to an escape, and some other symbolism around the plaza. We decided to check out the restaurant that formed part of the plaza called Las Bovedas, which are chambers from the old jail. While checking the place out a guy came up and asked what we just did because he had lived here all his life and never seen that. Imagine, I showed a Panamanian something new in his city. The 4 of us got to chatting and as it turned out he was Panamanian, which went to the Maritime Academy in Maryland and now worked on one of the freighters that pass through the canal. So interesting! He was there finalizing plans for an event for a boat of students coming through from his alma mater and having a big happy hour for them and a bunch of alumni, about 100 in all. He was kind enough to invite us if we were still and town.

We 3 girls sat down and ordered a couple appetizers to share and beer to enjoy the perfectly warm and clear evening in front of the water, the park and the plaza. When finished with his planning, Alejandro (I remember because he made a Gaga reference) joined us and bought us a pitcher of sangria. After sharing a glass with us, he said goodnight to go rest for work at 12 am, leaving us the rest of the sangria. Very nice guy, I kinda regret not trying to get to the event but other things were going on that Friday.

 Las Bovedas is a little pricey but just ordering appetizers and a few drinks was completely reasonable, not to mention the food was delicious. Johana and my mom were hesitant on the grilled octopus but I insisted, and it was to die for. It was both their first time trying it and they love it! The chicken Caesar salad was delicious too and held its own against the octopus. Toward the end of dinner Johana heard a Columbian style of music being played inside the bar and wanted to go in to listen. Thus, we took our drinks and went into the back chamber with the cow couch where there was a table of Columbians being serenaded by a man with an accordion. It was fun music which Johana told us was usually played down on the beach and everyone dances too. It was a great way to finish our drinks and get to explore the deeper parts of the restaurant.

The one thing that spoiled the evening was when the check came. I was sure to look at it closely because suspicious me thought maybe that guy offered to buy sangria any perhaps forgot. How else would our bill for 2 appetizers and 3 drinks come out to $81? After looking at the bill for a while, which all the ink was kinda smudged and hard to read, I knew it couldn’t be right and the thought crossed my mind that they were trying to take advantage of us. I pulled the manager aside, showed her the bill, told her what we ordered including the prices because I remembered and told her whether they did it on purpose or not, it looks very bad for the restaurant because they are either trying to screw us or the waitress (who was very nice) was a ditz and did not even so much as look at the bill to see that it was horrendously wrong. Take that. They fixed it and we left. I think Johana even said something. Other than that little speed bump, t’was a wonderful evening.

Thursday at work was a blur. I was spoiled all last week taking taxis to work so I could spend more time with my mom and it kinda stuck. I suppose I’ll get back on the bus eventually but my taxi to work is only $2! Worth it to not be sweating when I get there! Each day I was at work my mom would sleep in, wander, and buy little things we needed for the house. Absolutely nothing compares to having my mama around!

She´s so pro, everyone gets on next time

We snacked and rested some more when I got home when everyone started arriving. First Mauricio to have his hair cut. Later a Brazilian who had just gotten to Panama to start his internship with an NGO similar to Habitat for Humanity called Un Techo para Mi Pais with the AIESECers who were dropping him off. We all hung out and chatted for a while until we motivated to head out to a bar. The original plan was to  go to the casino and bar right next to the house to go salsa dancing but we were convinced by the group to go to a friend’s birthday at a bar nearby which was also to welcome the arrival of another intern, this time a Chilean guy who had been MCP (national President) in Spain.

The AIESEC girls drove us over to Republik, a sports bar, and there was a huge group already there celebrating the Chilean’s arrival and waiting for the birthday boy. We chilled for a while, ate some rather American-ish bar food, then decided to call it a night since it was still Thursday. I am glad my mom got to meet a lot of the AIESECers since they are hosting me and she only got a few glimpses of AIESEC in the US. Plus, she got to meet Ernesto who, according to her, gave glowing reviews on me as a temporary roomie and now friend.

Mom’s trip concluded Friday morning when we woke up together and got ready to depart. On my way to work I bid her adeau as she climbed into a taxi to the airport and I into a taxi to work. Unfortunately she forgot all her snacks in my fridge and was probably hungry all the way home. Poor mama. Fortunately she departed on a Friday so I was not too sad and had the weekend to look forward too. In review an awesome 3 day trip for my mom and a very happy 3 day visit for me. I hope she is able to come back in February as promised! All my friends here say the same, as by that time they will be needing haircuts again, haha. Love you and miss you mom. Dad, your turn is coming! 

Cervecería Barú, Panama, First Days of Work

With almost a week under my belt at the brewery, I figured it was time to get my thoughts together and fill everyone in! Actually, the truth is that I wanted to post two days ago... just haven´t had time. Oops.

The Lineup 

So Tuesday was my first day. My oh-so-kind alumni host was nice enough to drive me to work on the first day and accompany me to make sure I met with who I needed to find. While I feel he is going above and beyond to make sure I am comfortable, he reassures me that he wants to give me the best AIESEC experience possible. Other LCs. and VPs ICX... Take NOTE! Thank you Ernesto for being so thoughtful!

After checking in with reception I was escorted to the Human Resources department office where I met about half the team I would be part of. This week is a little unique as many are out traveling to our other facilities or on other similar business trips. The first day there were 4 of us which was probably better so I can go about learning everyone´s names and responsibilities slowly. Since the first day I have met 1 person each day and next week I will meet the last so we will finally be a full team, 8 in all.

The fun little surprise the first day was that they were expecting me on Monday. While in the end it was no big deal, I felt so bad to have confused the days and don´t know where the start date got lost in translation. Either way, my first day I jumped right in. I semi invited myself into an interview first thing in the morning with a potential forklift operator. During the interview, my US-based HR mindset raised some red flags with a few of the questions ask of the interviewee but I have to remember that I am not in the US! Labor law is going to be different. So immediately after I got my hands on a copy of the Panamanian Labor Law... stimulating stuff, let me tell you.

The majority of my first day was filled with system education. Heineken International is rolling out a new Performance Management system so I went about reviewing and educating myself on the old system and the new. This has filled several of my days, going through the details on the training and understanding what the managers and incumbents will have to understand. The process and material is not new to me, all standard HR teachings, but what is interesting is the way different companies benchmark to the standard and then implement it in their own way, aligned with culture. I am about knee deep right now in the "Heineken Way." All in all my first day was pretty low key with learning and observing without overwhelming me.

Since then my experience has been escalating. Wednesday I started having meeting with the heads of the various department. On that day, I met with the head of Marketing, Finance and Logistics. Here are some key takeaways to give you an idea of how neat this company and the industry are here in Panama.

Marketing: About 10 years ago, Cerveceria Baru was barely on the map and its brews, including its now star seller, were basically unheard of. About 6 years ago, the tides began to change and the stars aligned (with some smart marketing moves and a plan gone wrong by the competition) for the beer "Panama" and since then, the charts of preference and profitability have basically inverted. "Panama" is now the preferred beer of Panamanians, the most trusted, and of course, the beer that Panamanians believe most represents them. Apart from these HUGE wins, Panama has also won 3 international awards. My fun fact from Marketing: In Panama, beer costs $.45 per bottle, water $.60 and coke $.75. Yes, Panama is the only country in the world where beer is 1. so cheap and 2. cheaper than water and coke!

Finance: When the Baru Brewery was acquired in 2002 through 2006 it was under-performing and less profitable than the rest of Heineken International. With a change of leadership and the stars aligning for their lead brand, the beer "Panama" took off like a rocket and in 2006 the brewery turned a small profit... which was supposedly all spent on a Christmas party to celebrate the new era. Since the turn around the profits have skyrocketed. Even despite a small setback with potable water last year (remember the historic moment when the canal closed for the first time in history because of so much rain?) soon the company will be completely profitable, something they were not projected to achieve until 2018. #winning. 

Logistics: Because their star beer, Panama, took off so quickly, the production facility is unable to keep up with demand and many store shelves and bar fridges go empty in just a couple days of receiving stock. They stamp each bottle with the day it is completed and those that go into commercial use are returned to be refilled. In the return queue, you can find bottles that have been consumed and returned in just 3 DAYS. The average is close to 15 but that is absolutely RIDICULOUS! 

In all, my learnings have shown me that this is an awesome company with great potential and could fall under the category of Good to Great with sustained growth. The people here are passionate about their brands and selfless with their time and dedication. I am very excited and proud to grow with the company and be part of something at the heart of Panama. 

I will probably post again later today about the brewery as I have a very neat experience on my agenda today; a tour of the production facility. We shall see what pictures I am allowed to take and post but either way, I am very excited!

As far as work-life balance I have had some fun experiences after work too. After leaving work on Monday it took me about 90 minutes to get home, largely because of my own ignorance. I made it to the bus stop just fine and was waiting there with a small crowd. I proceeded to miss 3 buses because 1. they didn´t stop and 2. I didn´t know if I had to wave or something to get on. Either way, I signaled the next one which also did not stop but who pointed in front saying that I had to go to the next bus stop. Ok, now i know how to catch the bus. 

Ernesto was kind enough to meet me at the stop and accompany me home so I would know the way. We went a bit of a round about way so I could see some things in our neighborhood but it was more confusing than helpful. The rest of the night was spent in the grocery store getting me the makings for lunch and snacks and then in the old part of town, known as Casco Viejo. I will write more about Casco Viejo after this weekend because we will be spending time there but I do have to say that I absolutely LOVE Casco Viejo. It is old, with tight streets, classy buildings but half in destoryed and weathered while they work to renovate some of the old buildings. It is my dream to renovate one of the buildings there, they´re gorgeous. After wandering the tiny streets, cafes and plazas, we finished the night in a Cuban Bar with rum and called it an evening.

Wednesday I was all ready to get home from work quickly, caught my bus, made it to the stop, then got lost on the way home. When I finally called Ernesto to tell him I failed at finding the apartment, I was about a block and a half away. I swear its not me, the roads are all twisty and none are marked with their names!  That evening  we met with a big group at one of the casinos for their wing night. 14 of us ordered 140 wings and they were surprisingly good! I finally had the chance to meet more of the LC, including the LCP and VPICX who had been helping me but most of the members were not too forward. I have two months to get to know them though. 

Last night I left work and walked to Johana´s place which is conveniently close. We took the bus together and went to the grocery with Ernesto to host a dinner for a small group. Soft tacos, salsa and guacamole were on the menu but again, getting home took me a while so a couple of our guests arrived before we got back. Luckily this is AIESEC and everyone is flexible. The dinner was great (I even have leftovers!) and the company was even better. Its has been a great first week and the next couple days should be the perfect finish to a great first week here! 

Christian/Kiwi (LCP), Victor (VPICX), Johana, Mauricio, Ernesto,  Me

View from Ernesto´s apartment at night

View from the balcony at sunrise