Penny Traveller

Monday. I arrived sleepy and groggy for a freelance job at a defence exhibition. Found out I had to do dreaded sales like cold calls to all booths, to promote my booth's service. Returned home with bruised feet, a result of wearing required formal court shoes that people with bunions like mine shouldn't attempt to wear.

Tuesday. Decided to have an option of TWO court shoes on standby, but BOTH hurt though in different parts of the feet. First one hurts my bunions, second pair hurts my soles. Which is the lesser evil? More visiting of booths and meeting people. Started to appreciate the opportunity to meet people from so many different countries and so many mannerisms. Some with big warm smiles and some shifty and curt, trying to get me to hurry on and say my goodbyes.

Wednesday. Quite settled into the job. Decided to ignore advise and did NOT wear court shoes but open toe heels. Prefer efficiency to looking good. Able to walk around faster, more productive, less painful. Able to smile genuinely(no more aching feet!) on my rounds today. Realised the different good looks of probably about 30 over nationalities gathered at exhibition. On my way home met other freelancers for this exhibition. Not to discriminate but there was one who didn't have good English. Asked me 'Where is your boobs?' She meant where is my booth? Tried my mighty best not to let my laughter in my mind show on my face. Pulled on a straight faced and gave my booth number.

Thursday. Yay! Last day. (Might) miss all the hustle and bustle. After 4 days of watching my Greek boss at work, realise he is highly efficient and does not waste time. This means short lunches and always planning ahead how to spend the entire working day. Feeling less pissed at people who stop by my booth just for souveneirs when we have none. Understand that we are all guilty of Malaysian 'free stuff' mentality. They want free pens and fancy pins, I want free movie tix. Made more booth visits. Realise different treatment received from various country booths. Won't say who's worst but warmest people are probably from India booths.
All in all, interesting 4 days. Boss happy with work done. Oh and one more thing. Made a small faux paus today when some French media came over to chat. He passed me his name card. All in French. It's common for me to receive name cards that are dual language. English one side, their own local language the other side. So I asked Mr French, 'I can't read this, where's your English side?' only to realise I had just stroke some old-time French-English rivalry feelings and look at him gazing in fake horror at what I asked. Oh well, good week anyhow:)

Here's some photos taken with my hp those whose heart races looking at killing machines.

NTW 20

20 mm Anti-material Rifle

M8
81mm
Long range mortar