March 20th is the half way mark. I left DC on January 20th and will leave Sydney on May 20th. Entering a different phase of the sabbatical; finishing projects, pulling together pieces and welcoming family and seeing more of Australia.
First the finishing projects part. We have made significant progress on the Philippines initiative. The first trip encouraged us that there really is something there that is worth developing. The creative process was interesting to watch and be part of. Ideas were tossed around, LeapFrog experts would weigh in, case studies of previous initiatives considered, more ideas on the table, analysis done, testing of ideas, drafts written, more expert advice, some luck, fate and serendipity, and we are starting to have a vision for a major project. We think a pilot study would be the best first step, testing out two different ideas and lining up regulatory and structural framework. What is really exciting is if this works in the Philippines, there is a high probability that the model will be able to be used in many different emerging markets. Heading back to Manila tomorrow to spend the week and put some meat on the bones, testing ideas and digging into more specifics. We may have lined up some talent to be on the ground which will be great for him and the project. Really exciting to see this come together.
After five days in the Philippines, I'll head to South Africa for a series of meetings on global issues for LeapFrog and then some time with LF experts to do further work on the Philippines plan. Also anxious to work on finalizing the social and environmental metrics that LF will monitor on portfolio companies. The best investment funds/private equity funds are establishing the metrics that are important to them and working with their portfolio companies to measure and report. Most of the emerging markets don't have compliance and social metrics ingrained in their culture so it is falling on companies, and investment funds, to set the standards. I'm glad LeapFrog will have a seat at the table because they are thinking very hard on this issue. The old management saying that you get what you measure will be very true in the social and environmental arena.
On the fun side, I've worked through most of my "bucket list" for Sydney, saving a few things for when family arrives but have seen a lot. Last weekend I went to Taste Sydney, a restaurant/food fair in Centennial Park, Sunday went with friends hiking in the Blue Mountains. The best of the city and the woods or bush as they say here: a perfect weekend for me. The Blue Mountains are wonderful, nice trails, waterfalls and exotic birds. Ended up at a RSA for dinner. A strange, uniquely Australian invention. Seems as though the veterans years ago wanted a way to drink longer than local liquor laws allowed at regular pubs, so they petitioned the government to let them establish private clubs for veterans. Sort of a VFW or American Legion. One thing led to another and now they have gambling, night club acts and Chinese restaurants. A weird combination of American Legion Club, Holiday Inn Acts and a Chinese restaurant, go figure. There is a RSA in virtually every Australian town, lots in the suburbs of Sydney and you can become a "temporary member" for the day if you live five miles (or some short distance) from the club. The liquor is cheap, there is some sorted story of why all of the restaurants are contracted out to be Chinese restaurants, but here these clubs sit, taking in members and temporary members alike. The slot machines subsidize the entire operation. I don't think there is a lot of charity work that comes from them, the RSAs may support some youth sports leagues. But they are very popular and very much a part of suburban and rural Australia.
I finished my sailing and bridge lessons. Quite sure I won't skipper a sail boat but I could hold my own if asked to crew and I'd like to continue to work on my bridge game. I know why Buffet and Gates love it. Tactical, strategic and fun.
This past weekend was rainy, Fall is in the air. Took the ferry to Circular Quay and walked all over the Royal Botanical Gardens, checked out this amazing salt water swimming pool, Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool and Mrs. Macquaries Chair. Half of Sydney is names after Governor Macquaries and the other half after Darling, not sure what he did but he got a lot named after him. Saw a play at the Opera House and ferried back to dinner and apartment.
Today, Sunday, took a cooking class at the Sydney Fish market. Been meaning to get to the market for awhile and although I missed the wholesale fish auctions, which end at 5:30 am, the retail markets are amazing and the class was loads of fun. We did five Seafood BBQ dishes. An hour and a half of demonstration and then in teams of 5 set about to cook the dishes, finishing up with a bottle of wine and all of our creations. Learned how to clean, prep and cook a squid. Learned that all calamari is squid but not all squid is calamari, how to fillet a Garfish (or other smallish fish) and how sashimi-grade fish earns its designation. Also learned to make some pretty good dishes that I'll try out when we get home. If you have some extra days in Sydney a cooking class would be a great event.
In for the night to read, pack for the week and work on a knitting project. Ate so much at the cooking class, dinner won't be necessary.
No comments:
Post a Comment