Skateboarding

A big thank you to Mads Song and PP for sharing their experience and giving me insights into skateboarding.

The story is inspired by a trip to Eindhoven, where there were really scateboarders at Stadhuisplein. 

Fin was relaxing at Stadhuisplein in Eindhoven, watching teenage skateboarders. They were a group of boys. A little girl with red blond hair was trailing behind. She tried to emulate the older kids, but wasn’t capable of pulling off the tricks the older kids managed to do. Fin, who hadn’t been skateboarding for years, knew what was wrong.

The older boys were poking fun of the girl and trying to get rid of her. Seeing she wasn’t wanted, the girl watched with drooping shoulders and barely kept from crying. The boys ignored her.

Thinking he should keep out of it, Fin realized he couldn’t. He approached the girl. Fin guessed she was about eight. “You need more speed.” He explained in English, hoping she understood him. “I’m scared.” “True, you can have bad falls. I had my fair share of bloody knees, scraped elbows and hands. If you wear protective gear the injuries can be minimized, though.” “Guy broke his wrist.” “That can happen.” The girl suddenly remembered she shouldn’t be talking to strangers and fled. Fin shrugged.

He was busy the next days and didn’t return for a while.

When Fin returned, the girl was there again and was now fully kitted out with a helmet, wrist guards and elbow and knee pads. Even so she was now better protected, she was still scared. Fin thought about his own children. If his daughter Casey would have been behaving that way, he would have gotten her out of her shell by tickling her ego. Casey was similar to him and if he had told her she wasn’t able to do it, she would have wanted to proof the opposite.

It wouldn’t have worked with his son Sol, who was self-assured and calm, doing only what he believed he could do or was right.

Explaining why speed was necessary and what technicalities the Bigspin trick involved was a better solution to nudge Sol in the right direction.

Fin tried to figure out how he would get over her fear.  He wondered if she could do the Ollie and the Shove-it. If she could do the latter she should have been able to learn how to perform the Bigspin. “Okay, so, you want to show the others how it’s done?”  The girl nodded vigorously. “Sure?” “Yes.” “What’s your name?” “Marigold van Waal.” “I’m Fin Noose.” “Are you American?” “Yes, absolutely right.” “Do you skateboard a lot?” “I did when I was younger. I was pretty good at it. So, Marigold, can you show me your Ollie?” The trick was normally used to jump onto, over or from obstacles or to avoid unfriendly terrain like stairs and grass. It involved popping, kicking and jumping on the skateboard at the same time, leaping into the air.

Marigold performed the trick perfectly. “Very good and now do the Shove-it.” The Shove-it demanded a 180 degree spin of the skateboard, to catch it at the right time and land on it. It proved more difficult for Marigold. “You need to spin faster and concentrate on catching the board. I’ll show you.” Marigold only noticed then that Fin wasn’t dressed for skateboarding. He was clad completely in black. The clothing looked expensive. Fin wore dress pants, a t-shirt and a formal jacket. Dress shoes completed the outfit.

Fin felt skateboarding was like riding a bike. Once you had learnt how to do it you didn’t forget it. He mastered the Shove-it at first try. While performing the trick, Fin explained what he was doing. Marigold watched closely and listened carefully. She realized she had to forget about her fear of getting injured and simply go on. It wasn’t that easy, though. Her next tries were bolder, but still not good enough. Marigold was about to give up, when Fin encouraged her to repeat the trick. “Better. Again.” Fin asked Marigold a few more times. Before she was going to be too exhausted, Fin gave Marigold a break. Marigold’s mother had given her a Kinder Bueno as a treat, so Fin and she shared it companionable. “What’s your favorite cake?” Marigold asked suddenly. “Oh, it’s depending on my mood, but I love any cake that involves chocolate. My wife makes a mean chocolate and dulce de leche cake. Sacher Torte is another favorite of mine beside coffee cake. My newest addition are cinnamon balls. They are so simple to make and so delicious. And yours?” “Boerencake met appel en kaneel.” Fin knew a few words in Dutch, so he could guess appel meant apple and kaneel was cinnamon. Marigold confirmed it. “Okay, ready for a few more tries?” Fin asked after Marigold seemed rested enough. “Yes, but can you show me again?” “Sure.” Fin repeated the Shove-it twice, then handed the skateboard back to Marigold. “Your turn.” Marigold got the hang of it and broke into a big smile, when she managed to do the Shove-it perfectly thrice in a row. “Well done! I would suggest you keep up the training and when we meet again I will show you how the Bigspin functions.” “Are you going away?” “No, I’m just going to be bogged down with work.”

Fin had completed his job within three weeks and thought it had been enough time for Marigold to improve.

He went to Stadhuisplein numerous times, but there was no sign of Marigold. Once or twice he encountered Marigold’s brother Guy and his friends. Fin didn’t want to let them know he had helped Marigold, so he didn’t approach the youth.

Fin was a bit concerned what had happened to the little girl, so he followed Guy. He was relieved, when he found out she was at home and seemed okay. Fin continued to be at the usual meeting point. It paid off. After a few days Marigold was already showing off her skills, when he arrived. She had perfected the trick and was ready to move on to the Bigspin. Fin explained: “Okay, you have to ride with your front foot on the front bolts and your back foot on the toeside of the tail. You must shove the skateboard hard. The main force is your back foot. You have to jump in the same direction as the board. Spin it 360 degrees and you will have to rotate 180 degrees in the same direction. You catch the board in the air just before you complete your rotation and land.” “Uh, that sounds complicated…” “It’s not as difficult as you believe. Lots of training should get you there. I’ll show you.” Fin tried to do it as slow as possible, so that Marigold could follow. Marigold shook her head. “I couldn’t see it.” Fin repeated the trick. It still didn’t work. “Come back tomorrow. I’ll bring my video camera. You can film the trick and watch it in slow motion. I think that should work.” Marigold agreed. The next day Marigold filmed Fin perform the trick. They studied it carefully and Marigold began her first tries. One ended badly. Marigold fell awkwardly and split her lip in the process. It hurt a great deal. Fin expected Marigold to burst into tears. She felt she was not a little girl anymore and suppressed the need for bawling. The only outward signs were her watery eyes. Fin was concerned. “Let me see.” Fin suggested. “Are any teeth lose?” Marigold shook her head. “Good. You look like Dracula.” It made Marigold smile. “We better staunch the bleeding and clean your wound.” Fin was worried Marigold might had a concussion or the split needed stitches. He had clean tissues and gave them to the girl. She pressed one of them on the wound. It bled profoundly and the tissue was soaked through fast. Fin advised her to take a bigger wad. He knew from own experience a cut lip could bleed heavily. He was relieved when the bleeding stopped after a few minutes and more tissues. “Does anything else hurt?” Fin checked. “No. Ouch!” Using Marigold’s lips was painful. “I’ll bring you home now.” “No! I can’t come home looking like this!” Marigold protested. “Okay, let’s go to my hotel room and get you cleaned up. Then we’re taking a taxi to your house.” “Okay.” Fin was glad the Dutch had a less suspicious mind and didn’t think he was a pedophile, just because he was “hanging out” with Marigold.

Marigold was impressed by the hotel Fin was staying at. It was the former Philips light bulb factory and he was staying at the original Art Deco Building. The ceilings were very high and the overall feel of the floors and room industrial. Marigold completely forgot about her throbbing lip or the blood on her blue shirt when she saw the writing desk. In a previous life it had been a work bench. “Wow!” She exclaimed and couldn’t resist to touch it. The desk felt unusual and nothing like her father’s oak wood. “I’ll get some ice for you, while you clean the wound.” Fin directed her to the bathroom. The door was immensely high and heavy. “I’ll be back in a sec.” Fin was a bit impatient when he returned and Marigold had been dawdling. She was inspecting the mini bar closely. She jumped guiltily, when she saw Fin’s stormy look. “Sorry. I just… I’m scared of washing out the wound.” “It will hurt a bit, but it’s for your own good.” Marigold still made no signs to go to the bathroom. Fin sighed, thought for a moment and told her about his own children and how they dealt with something unpleasant or painful. His son was slightly younger than Marigold and Casey a bit older. “Sol always dreads to get any wound cleaned. He wants to hold on to his favorite soft toy dragon, called Grisu, and then I have to tell him the story about the blood cells fighting germs.” “Does he cry?” “Sometimes. It depends how bad it hurts.” “And you let him?” “Of course I do.” “He’s a boy he shouldn’t.” “Says who?” Fin asked mildly. “My Mama and Papa.” “Hm, well, I sometimes cry too, and I’m a man.” “My Papa never cries.” Fin didn’t want to get into a discussion about what men and boys should or shouldn’t do. “Can we agree we don’t agree on the subject?” “Okay.” Marigold wasn’t interested in an argument. “Casey on the other side is very brave and wants to get it behind her immediately, even if it’s painful.” “I think Casey has the right attitude.” “Okay, let’s clean the wound then.” Fin was careful, so it wasn’t too bad.  Afterwards Marigold rested, using the ice cubes wrapped in a towel to cool the injury and reduce the swelling, on Fin’s king sized bed and watched the Disney Channel while he took care of her shirt.

The stain didn’t vanish completely. Fin hoped Marigold’s parents had a stain remover and a few more washes would get rid of the spot. He dried the shirt with his hairdryer and it was as good as new.

“Ready to face your parents?” “Yes.”

The taxi ride was short. Marigold lived at the De Bergen neighborhood of Eindhoven, not far from a riding school.

Mrs. van Waal was shocked what had happened to her daughter. She was grateful to Fin. Marigold and he had decided to leave out he had been teaching her. “Can I offer you something to drink? Maybe a coffee?” “No, thank you. I have a few things to do…” Fin said good bye and took the taxi back to his hotel.

Mrs. van Waal was concerned and discouraged Marigold from skateboarding. Marigold was a bit shaken and not sure if she wanted to keep it up in the first place. Interesting enough was supportive and told her it was like riding a horse. “You have to get back in the saddle, when you have fallen off.” Mr. van Waal said: “It’s your decision, but if you really like it you should keep doing it and improving. I guess one of the tricks did fail, didn’t it?” Marigold confirmed. Feeling encouraged she returned to Stadhuisplein and with the help of her brother perfected the Bigspin. They got closer in the process. Fin watched from afar. He was glad the siblings were closer and shared a passion. His job done he returned to his own family.

©2016

Intercontinental Park Lane London, United Kingdom

In June 2016 we stayed for the fourth time in four years at the Intercontinental London Park Lane. We had enough IHG Priority Club Rewards Points left, so we used them to pay for our stay. When we made the reservation we made a mistake and noted there would be three persons sharing a room instead of two. I called the hotline to rectify it and promptly received a new reservation, stating two guests.

During the weekend the Queen officially celebrated her 90th birthday, so London was very busy and we had the chance to sign the congratulatory book at London Heathrow’s Queen’s Terminal. In exchange we received Union Jack flags and a paper crown as a keepsake.

When we arrived via the Tube at Hyde Park Corner we were surprised to see lots of naked cyclists. The cycling event takes place annually. Navigating through the throng of bikers wasn’t easy, but at least I had some eye candy, while he was fed up within a few minutes. Having finally made it to the Intercontinental we were warmly greeted by the door man and the greeter. Check in was a breeze and done in a friendly and personal manner. The receptionist did even know we were celebrating our anniversary and this was one of the reasons to stay at the hotel.

The check in sheet showed that there were three persons staying, so it seems the information hadn’t been passed on to the hotel directly. It wasn’t a problem. The receptionist promised to send a member of staff up to remove the rollaway bed, since we didn’t have a need for it. We had been upgraded from an entrance category room to a London Room. He also handed us vouchers for two glasses of Prosecco at Theo Randall’s. We were surprised by this because normally they are only given to either to Intercontinental’s loyalty program’s Ambassadors or highest tier members of the IHG Priority Reward program. It was a nice touch and we felt spoiled.

It was our second time we had received a London Room. The two were identical, only the views and layout were slightly different. This time we had Hyde Park view, which was very much appreciated.

As always the room was comfortable and even with a rollaway bed it wasn’t very cramped. The color scheme in blue and brown was to our taste too and felt fresh and elegant at the same time.

We were around 15 minutes in our room, when housekeeping arrived to take away the rollaway bed, which looked comfortable too. We hadn’t tested it, while waiting, so we can’t comment.

There was a book on the room, called “Love London”.

We used the shoe shine service and received the Financial Time as complimentary newspaper as requested. Both services were reliable as usual.

We had in room dining twice. Once we had late lunch with a Stamina Boost and a Vitamin Shot, the Spa Bento Box, which all came from the Wellness – “I’m worth it” section and a little indulgence, a massive Chocolate Brownie and Dark Cherry Sunday. It was all high quality and of course the dessert left as always a lasting impression.

In the morning we had the Wellness – “I’m worth it” The Healthy Start breakfast. It included green tea, one Energy Jolt juice, organic low fat yogurt, fruit salad, all bran with soy milk and multigrain toast.

The late lunch cost 67.50 GBP (ca. 75.70 Euro / ca. 82.75 USD) and the breakfast 22.50 GBP (ca. 25.25 Euro / ca. 27.60 USD), since the portion was generous we shared one set.

We also had dinner for our 2nd time at Theo Randall’s (review to follow), which we enjoyed.

Another nice touch was the cake that was delivered to the room due to our anniversary.

We had to check out fairly early, since the second reason for our stay was an exhibition visit, called Cycle Revolution, at the Design Museum at their former location at Shad Thames near the Tower bridge before it closed and moved to their new location in Kensington. While checking out we had a chat with the receptionist about the exhibition, since he was a cycling enthusiast, but hadn’t heard about the event.

We would stay at the Intercontinental London Park Lane again, since we were always well treated.

©2016

Restaurant Ibaizabal @ the Barcelo Bilbao Nervion

During our stay at the Barcelo Bilbao Nervion (Please see also review) in May 2016 we had two meals at the Ibaizabal Restaurant.

The restaurant has an open plan concept and gives a choice of an a la carte or Prix fixe menu. There are international and regional dishes available.

The Prix fixe menu offers outstanding value, but the cost varies. Our Saturday meal for example was around 18 Euro per person / ca. 19.70 USD, while Sunday's was a bit more elaborate and cost 20 Euro per person / ca. 21.90 USD.

The quality of the dishes was of a high standard and the cuisine simple and light.

When we arrived at ca. 20.00 hours the restaurant was not that busy and only a few patrons were there. Some where Spanish and our neighbor were a group of French ladies. The later it got the more guests arrived.

The staff brought us to our table and gave us the menus. We ordered a bottle of still Font Valle water. Studying the drinks menu we realized the wine was very affordable and a glass of Rioja cost just 2 Euro (ca. 2.20 USD), so he had one.

It was a young one and good in his opinion.

Next we could choose from different types of bread.

We received welcome starters, which were stuffed pepper with cheese and salad. It was delicious.

Our appetizers were endive salads with smoked salmon. The salmon was smooth and the endive salad crunchy, so the contrast between the textures was good. While the leaves were bitter the salmon was salty and the dressing a bit sweet, so an umami effect was created.

The main course was cod with Ratatouille. The dish was colorful and beautifully presented.

He had a Crème Bruelee as dessert, while I had an almond cake with vanilla sauce. Both were very good and the cake fragrant.

Staff was attentive and friendly.

The dinner cost 40 Euro (ca. 43.80 USD).

Breakfast had been included in our overnight rate. When we arrived the restaurant was already full.

Thank goodness we were brought to our table and didn't have to search for a free one by ourselves like at some other hotels. It's a pet peeve of mine to have to look for myself.

Tea, coffee and juice was self-service.

The buffet was large and included a wide choice of hot and cold items, including egg dishes, bread, pastries, muesli, cereals, gluten free items, ham, cheese, yogurts including low fat, vegetables and much more.

We had the bad luck to sit near a couple, who made a big mess on their table and had a huge amount of food waste too.

Having to look at it wasn't very appetizing. The other patrons were better in this regards and left their space as clean as possible and with as good as no left overs.

We enjoyed both meals and would return, even if the breakfast service can be busy, because the staff is friendly and the quality of the food/choices and value are good.

©2016

Career Advancement

This short story is connected to Ability and describes how Fin gets Charles to accept David is going to steal the stamps.

David Beasley, who was twenty four, had red-brown hair and blue eyes, had been engaged by Fin Noose to help with a heist in Bangladesh. He got excited when he heard he would work together with another legend, Charles Harold Fox. To his dismay Charles was haughty, and David preferred Fin.

Fin, who was five years older than David, light ash blond and had blue grey eyes, was sometimes gnashing his teeth, when Charles's behavior drove him mad. He wondered why Charles had no respect nor intuition how it made others feel. At least he had himself that much under control he didn't punch Charles, like he had done once in the past. The temptation was there, though. They had thank goodness security figured out quickly and planned accordingly. The only thing Fin was unsure about was who was going to do what. Of course he was sure each of them could break into the Museum of Independence and lift the stamps easily. Fin wondered if he should let Charles, the oldest of the three with slight built, light brown haired and had green grey eyes, or David go ahead with it. Whoever wasn't going to the Museum of Independence would steal the Buddha relief with Fin. Thinking about it carefully and weighing up what made more sense, Fin came to a decision. He invited Charles to a small snack and tea for breakfast. Fin had his favorite little tea stand, where he went every day to relax. He liked the cha, which was black and served with condensed milk and sugar. The neighboring stand offered pitha, which was made from rice flour and covered in ghur, a syrup made from the sap of date trees. It was delicious and looked a bit like small pancakes. Charles rolled his eyes, when Fin was warmly greeted by the stall owners, who knew him pretty well. Naturally Fin could order in Bengali too. Charles wouldn't take the pitha, because he believed he would end up with Bangla Belly and was sceptical about the tea. "The stall owners are meticulous here, so everything's spotlessly clean and they use bottled water only." Settling down at one small table Fin said to Charles: "I have come to a decision and I wanted to tell you before speaking with David." "That sounds ominous." "In a way it is. See, you and I are established, but David isn't, so he needs a success more than we do. David will take care of the stamps." Charles frowned. He wanted to protest, but seeing the set of Fin's chin and Fin's determined facial expression, he knew he wouldn't get his will. "I would appreciate if you would accept gracefully, when we meet up with David." Deep down Charles admitted it would have been good for his own ego, if he had been chosen to steal the stamps. He also admitted freely David had common sense and was capable, so there wouldn't be an issue with getting results. Fin was a bit surprised Charles backed down immediately. He had thought there would be an argument before Charles agreed. "I'd have loved to go to the Museum of Independence by myself, but you are right. I won't make a scene, when you offer the job to David." "Thank you. I really appreciate your cooperation." "Oh, well, don't believe I will make life easy for you, should I ever need your help." "When did you ever?" Fin asked sarcastically. "I was on my best behaviour this time around, wasn't I?" Fin was about to say something about Charles treating the hotel staff, David and himself, but kept quiet. He feared if he told off Charles, he wouldn't want to do the heist and that would have caused another headache. "You weren't too bad, but as the saying goes there's always room for improvement." Charles decided to ignore Fin's comment. Instead he inhaled the steam of the cha. It smelled good, so he took a cautious sip from the tiny cup. The tea was bitter, sweet and strong. Charles loved it. The pathi wasn't entirely to his taste and Charles let Fin know immediately. Fin swallowed his impatience. "If you want something else, go ahead." Fin gave Charles two twenty Taka notes, which was around 0.50 USD. It meant Charles could get easily a full Bangladeshi breakfast with tea, mixed vegetables, dal and paratha or a dozen singara, which were similar to samosas, but differently shaped and had a flakier consistency. Charles took the money, but didn't get up. "Have you heard of the seven-layer-tea served in Srimongol?" "No, I haven't. Where is Srimongol?" "In the north-east of Bangladesh. Thought it might interests you..." Fin confirmed it was fascinating. He hadn't realized Charles also liked tea. Sometimes Fin’s acquaintance was full of surprises. Fin knew when Charles gave his word he would keep it, so when both had finished their tea they returned and Fin told David about his decision, who was overjoyed he was going to get the chance to prove himself.

©2016

Barcelo Nervion Bilbao, Spain

Having not stayed before at a Barcelo hotel, but having very good experiences during a visit of the Barcelo complex in Caleta de Fuste in Fuerteventura we decided to book the Barcelo Nervion Bilbao during a one night weekend break in May 2016.

Checking the hotel out online we liked the modern design, colorful lobby and fascinating artwork.

After an eventless flight with Aer Lingus we took a taxi from Bilbao Airport to the hotel. It cost 26.50 Euro / ca. 29 USD and travel time was ca. 20 minutes.

The Barcelo Nervion was very well integrated with the surroundings.
 
The entrance was to the left, while to the right was the hotel's parking garage. The hotel's logo included the Nervion Estuary.

The open plan lobby was bright and had lots of seating space, a colorful wooden art piece on one wall, a beautifully decorated cow, which had been part of "Cow Parade", and a small gym to the right.

There was also a modern fire place and a post box.

The reception was straight ahead and when turning left there was the bar and cafe, the restaurant Ibaizabal and the vinoteca.

We had our dinner and breakfast - the latter was included in our overnight rate - at Ibaizabal. Review will follow.

Check in was done quick and friendly. We were given a map of Bilbao and the receptionist explained where all the important sights and shopping areas were located.

Our one-bedroom suite with a view overlooked the Nervion and main street.

The room concept was interesting. When entering there was the living room with two tables pushed together, a dark upholstered sofa for two, a credenza with mini bar, coffee/tea making facilities and a flat screen TV.

The art work was depicting a forest with trees painted in rainbow colors. There were also some coffee table books "Cow Parade", where the cow in the lobby could be also found, and one about Mallorca.

The mini bar contained sparkling wine, beer, still and sparkling water, Coca Cola and Toblerone.

The bath room was in the middle and could be closed off with sliding doors on either side leading to the bed room or living room.

In the middle was the sink, while the Japanese set up bath tub and shower were to the left and the toilet to the right in a separate room.

The wardrobe was located also in the bath room and there were Pure Herbs Amenities with Rosemary, Melissa and Thyme, including body scrub and bath salts.

Other materials used were porcelain tiles and light wooden furniture.

We liked the Pure Herbs amenities and thought it was interesting that there were a few more products than the usual line-up available.

The bedroom was large with a wooden floor, a big, comfortable bed, a seating area with a green carpet, a flat screen TV and a writing desk with wooden chair, which wasn't that comfortable. I can't imagine working there for hours on end. There were also stylish lightning features.

The TV channels included as expected a lot of Spanish channels, some German, Italian and French and CCTV, Bloomberg, BBC World and CNBC.

Room service was available from 11.00 hours to 24 hours. There was also a pillow menu.

The free WIFI internet was very fast.

We spent most time in the light filled bed room with floor to ceiling windows, but used the living room too.

Artwork was similar to the one in the lobby, only on a smaller scale, and a print of the Zubizuri Bridge was over the bed.

We liked the location, which was just around ten minutes from Santiago Calatrava's Zubizuri Bridge and around twenty minutes to the Guggenheim Museum by foot.

A supermarket, called Eroski, is also nearby (just across the Zubizuri Bridge).

We enjoyed our short stay, the location, friendliness of the staff, the design and the comfort. For those reasons we would return again.

 

©2016

 

Ability

David Beasley was nervous. He was mussing his hair and swearing. David combed his hair for the second time in as many minutes. David had heard of course about Fin Noose and he felt privileged to maybe get the chance to work together with the best in his field, but he was worried. Fin's mercurial temper was legendary. David had heard Fin was a perfectionist and always dressed to the nines. David normally preferred more casual dress. Being unsure what to wear, he thought it was best to put on a suit and tie.

It was time to go. David didn't want to come too late. A good impression was important and David didn't want to set off Fin's temper at the beginning. David had liked learning from Ruth. She never shouted and led by example. He feared Fin would be the total opposite. He had also heard rumors that Fin was violent and had punched a team mate, because he had failed in his task. Reassurances from Adam, his middle man, Fin was a good guy, hadn't helped.

Having arrived at Fin's room, he took a deep breath and knocked. A minute or so later - what felt like ages - the door opened. David had expected Fin was formal dressed. To his surprise it was a mix between black dress pants, a black t-shirt and a suit jacket in the same color. Fin's age was a surprise too. David had always believed Fin was in his forties, based on how much he had done.  Fin looked barely older than him, was tall, blond and had blue grey eyes. David's host smiled at him. Fin noticed David, who had red-brown hair and blue eyes, was nervous. Fin tried to ease David's tension. "Come on in." Originally David had expected Fin was staying in a suite. He found out both had the same room type only different views and a slightly different layout. David liked that Fin didn't put on airs. Fin had watched a Spanish news channel while waiting for David. "Do you speak Spanish, Mr. Noose?" "Yes and please call me Fin." "David." Fin smiled at his colleague and shook his hand. Fin offered David a seat. "If you want to get rid of your tie to be more comfortable, I have no issues with that." David was glad Fin made the suggestion. While removing his tie, David checked out the room further and noticed it was tidy. This was fitting with being a perfectionist. "Would you like something to drink or eat?" Fin offered. "Coke, please." Fin went to the minibar to retrieve the soft drink for David and a bottle of Vichy Catalan for himself. When settling down again, Fin said: "Tell me more about yourself." "Well, I guess I should start with my parents. Don't get me wrong, I really love them very much, but I believe they were simply crazy..." Fin's eyebrow rose, but didn't reply to the statement. "They had it all - a great job at the United Nations Headquarters for my mother and my father was an investment banker, both pretty successful. According to them their lives were too stressful and they decided to quit it all, when they had enough money together. They moved to rural Wyoming and bought a cattle farm. On the side they grow organic vegetables and have a few free roaming chicken. While my older brother loved it, I was bored as hell. I was up to a lot of mischief. A dare caused me to find my true calling. My friends bet that I wouldn't dare break into the ramshackle house of an old, deranged lady. Of course I was tempted, so I did my homework and broke successfully in. Even so my friends were waiting outside, I brought a token that I really was inside. Naturally I was the hero. I liked the thrill, but also the organization behind a heist. Some maybe find it tedious, but I thrive... At home I was also famous to be a fixer. If somebody needed something I knew where to get it from. When it was time for me to go to college I had heard through the grapevine that Ruth Frankham was open for tutoring. I approached her and after meeting up a few times she agreed to take me on. I told my parents I was going to L.A. and studying subjects involving security. They don't know what I do. To cut a long story short I learned everything I could from Ruth and I'd like now to start out by myself." "Ruth is specialized in museums burglaries, isn't she?" "Yes." David told Fin about the break ins Ruth and he had done together. "You can show me what you have learned. I want you to break into the Alto Museum and get me this figurine." Fin showed David a photograph of the item he was looking for. David was a bit taken aback. Fin had requested it friendly, but it was clear it was an order. He had hoped Fin would trust him enough to employ him immediately. It felt like a slap in the face. Grudgingly David accepted the challenge. He left soon afterwards, grumbling to himself. Of course the job was simple enough and he managed to figure out the low security quickly. Within a week he brought the figurine to Fin, who smiled warmly and said: "Well done. I'd like to discuss the job with you and to have your advice, but before we'll start can you return the figurine?" David was speechless. All the work for nothing? "It wasn't senseless. I needed to check you can fulfil the tasks at hand, since I don't know you. You have proven you can do the job and I didn't expect anything else, when you come highly recommended by Adam. You don't have to break in again to return the artwork. I'm sure you will find a creative way to return it." It seemed Fin was able to read David's mind. The explanation made sense and David felt flattered by the compliment Fin had paid him and their middle man. "Alright. After the figurine is back, I'll be in touch with you." "Of course." David didn’t need long to develop a plan. He cleaned the figurine to make sure none of his finger prints were on it. He packaged it and approached a homeless man. David offered the homeless 100 Euro if he would deliver the box. Of course the man agreed to do the job. The homeless left it one morning on the door steps of the museum. The staff was glad to have the figurine undamaged back.

Fin invited David a few days later for a tapas lunch. They talked about private things, likes, dislikes and family. David was at the moment single. In his own opinion he was too busy to take care of a girlfriend. Fin could understand David. If he hadn't met Frieda, who could live with his absences and philandering, he would have had no relationship at all. "Have you ever been caught as a teenager for breaking and entering?" "No. I was lucky, I guess. And you?" "My parents caught me stealing. All hell broke loose afterwards." "I can imagine. Once my friend and I had the brilliant idea to throw stones into some windows of our neighbor's home. My mother was very displeased, when the local sheriff brought me home. He let my mother deal with me and there weren't any official repercussions." "That's good. My parents didn't go to the police." "Well, I guess that's what loving parents would do..." Fin cleared his throat. His eye color changed to blue. "It hadn't anything to do with caring for me. My parents were concerned about their own image. It would have embarrassed them no end to have to admit their son was a criminal." David sensed he was on shaky ground now and changed the subject. The dinner was enjoyable and the two seemed to click. Both believed they could work together. David and Fin made an appointment to discuss the heist in privacy. David was surprised it was in Bangladesh. He had never been to Asia before, so it was going to be a culture shock. He looked forward to the challenge and working together with another genius, Charles Harold Fox, within in the burglar community.

Fin proved to be pleasant, took David’s finding serious and was open to his suggestions. The same couldn’t be said about Charles. He was the oldest and most experienced, no doubts about it. He looked harmless with his slight built, light brown hair and green grey eyes. David was impressed how arrogant and dismissive Charles was. David wasn’t looking exactly forward to meetings, where all three discussed security issues and what needed to be done. Fin was civil to Charles, but David noticed he struggled to keep his temper in check. David admired Fin’s self-control and diplomacy. He somehow managed to keep them on track and achieve their goals without coming to blows or having big arguments, especially when Charles put down David. The youngest member of the team at age 24 tried hard to shrug Charles’s behaviour off. It wasn’t easy and sometimes he was still seething after the meeting was over.

Fin and David didn’t have to spend time together, when they weren’t planning the heist, but they enjoyed each other’s company and shared regularly meals or went exploring Dhaka. Charles didn’t mingle with them. David thought Charles believed himself to be above Fin and him. David wasn’t happy Charles had a big ego. He was glad, though, Charles didn’t want to hang out with them. The atmosphere would have been tense and it would have been only a question of time until either Fin or he would have been thoroughly fed up with Charles. David didn’t need to spend time with someone, who so clearly didn’t like him.

Soon the planning had reached its end stage and Fin had to make up his mind, who was stealing the first stamp set issued after the independence of Bangladesh and who was taking an antiquity. The team was going to split up. Two were going to steal the Buddha relief and one the stamps. David hoped he didn’t have to work together with Charles. His biggest wish was that he was going to be allowed to steal the stamps. Fin let Charles and him know he had come to a decision and would tell them in his room. David was nervous and excited at the same time. It was a struggle for him not to mess up his hair again. Charles was already there, sipping a glass of Mum water. Fin was looking out of the window, enjoying the magnificent views over the city. It seemed the two hadn’t talked while waiting for David. “Take a seat, David.” Fin said. He was pacing the room now, before he settled down on the bed. “David, you will break into the Museum of Independence and get the stamps. Charles and I will take care of the Buddha Relief.” David wanted to hug Charles and Fin, but contained himself and said simply: “Thank you. I really appreciate you give me the chance to proof myself. I won’t let you down.” “No problem. We’ll do the jobs tonight.” Fin smiled. Charles congratulated David. He seemed genuinely happy for David. Was something wrong with Charles? David didn’t bother to find out the reason for Charles’s unusual behaviour. He focused completely on the break in. All three had staked out the security of the two museums they intended to burgle, discussed the best way to enter and where their meeting point was going to be afterwards.

David didn’t have issues with disarming the alarm system. What was a bit tricky was opening the entrance door. Finally David had unlocked it. Having come well prepared he knew where the stamps were located. No one disturb him, so he picked the lock of the show case and took the stamps out without leaving any trace, stowing them in his shoulder bag. He left the same way he arrived and didn’t encounter anyone.

Fin and Charles had been successful too.

The team disbanded soon after handing over the hot items to a middle man.

Having proven David could work alone as well as part of a team he was soon on the way to a stellar career as master burglar. 

©2016

Mesa @ The Grand Hyatt Berlin, Germany

While staying at the Grand Hyatt Berlin (Please see also review) for one night in
April 2016 we went to Mesa for dinner.

We liked the sharing concept and the design of the venue by Tony Chi. It had very high
ceilings and floor to ceiling windows. Shelves provided some privacy. The dark
furniture was elegant and understated.

Staff was friendly and attentive. We received a breadbasket to start with and
ordered a bottle of still Seltzer water and two orange juice.

Studying the menu we decided to have an apple-celery soup with smoked salmon,
one Brandenburg mozzarella with cos salad, two curry sausages with fries, potato
wedges and two desserts, the lemon foam with rhubarb and strawberry and milk,
apple and chervil.

We enjoyed the modern interpretation of the dishes. Everything was of high quality, good value, light and delicious.

The bill was 51 Euro, ca. 55.75 USD.

When back in Berlin and the Grand Hyatt we would eat here again.

©2016