Author: Fernando Arce-Larreta

After an arduous checkin into my hotel the prior night I noted their was a Planet Fitness directly across the street. I woke up early in the morning and made my way over for a workout.

Afterwards I got ready and drove the rental car back to Laguardia airport. I had the good fortune of making great time to the airport. I had a nice breakfast at the United Lounge before heading back home to Houston. I am already looking forward to my next trip in Long Island.

The day started off with a workout at Planet fitness.   I was able to stay home in the morning due to an afternoon flight to St. Louis.

I got dropped off at the airport by my wife, Tanya, and found the airport to be fairly empty.   It was an easy process to check in and go through Security.  I boarded my flight with a full stomach after getting some food at the United Club lounge.

Upon arriving at the St. Louis airport I had an hour to make it to my tennis clinic at the Vetta Concord club.   I had signed up that evening for a Men’s 4.0 drill.   This was another great session focused on the different strategies of doubles tennis.   The main lesson for me was to be constantly approaching the net after hitting the first volley.   The objective is to always be moving forward and attacking the ball.

After the clinic I made my way to the Doubletree Hotel at the Central West end area.

I am a big fan of this area due to its proximity to Forest Park, great restaurants and places to hangout at in the evening.   I especially like Cocina Latina for its tasty Peruvian food and Up-Down for cheap pinball arcade games and beer.

This is a great place to walk around in the warm weather and people watch.

Day 2

I woke up early to workout at the local Planet Fitness gym.  Afterwards I returned to the hotel to get ready for the day. 

The local sales rep, Kevin, and I started the day off by visiting a couple of important customers.   We ended up meeting one of the clients at the Anthonino’s Taverna restaurant located within the Hill area.    This is a neighborhood that has a lot of Italian markets and restaurants.    It is one of my favorite places to visit while staying in St. Louis.  

After having a tasty Lasagna we made a quick stop to the DiGregorio’s Italian Market.    I was on the lookout for sausages with truffle shavings.   I was able to find some last fall in Cincinnati at the Jungle Jim’s grocery store.   After a brief search I was not able to find anything but ended up purchasing a couple of sausages to take back home.   One was made with red and the other with white wine. 

Kevin and I then returned to the Doubletree hotel to work on his territory and sales plan.

Afterwards I got ready to go play in my second clinic at another Vetta club.   This one was focused more on ground stroke and consistency.   Overall it had better players than the previous club.   It was intense and left me tired after 1.5 hours of constant, non-stop playing.

I was able to return to the hotel and get some rest for the next day.

Day 3

After working out at the hotel gym I met Kevin in the lobby of the hotel.   Kevin was not able to secure a customer visit so we did some site visits of potential accounts.   On the way we stopped a the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower which marks the beginning of the Lewis and Clark expedition.   While the observation deck at the tower was closed I learned that it provides a view point where the Mississippi and Missouri rivers meet.   It is always a good experience to reflect on historic events and think about this journey helped shape the United States.  

Kevin and I then headed to Delmar loop to eat at Salt + Smoke.  It was nice to try another great BBQ place.   This time I ordered St. Louis ribs which are grilled instead of smoked or steamed.   Needless to say it was very good.   The area the restaurant is located in is also very cool and has a lot of rock n’ roll history.   This is where Chuck Berry used to play and inspired a lot of other musicians.    It is still a great place to visit listen to live music.

After our lunch I said my farewell to Kevin and headed out of the Saint Louis airport.   This airport has no United Lounge so I had to hangout at the Terminal for my flight.

I am looking forward to my next visit it St. Louis.    I hopefully will have warmer weather that will make walking around Forest Park and Central West End to make the stay more enjoyable! 

Another great visit to this historic town

Day 1

I started the day off early by going to Planet Fitness at 4:30 AM. This enabled me to drive back home stress free and get ready for the day before heading out to the Houston Bush airport.  Once again I parked at the Parking Spot before headed out to the Terminal C.   I used Clear to get through security but noted for the second time that the PreTSA line had no wait.   I really think that Clear is not worth the money and most likely will not be renewing my membership.

I then made my way over to the United lounge to conduct my team one-on-one calls.   Afterwards I went to Potbelly to pick up my apple walnut salad but got notified on my phone that my flight was starting to board.

The good news was I ate very heartily at the lounge and wasn’t too hungry.  I proceeded to get on the flight and head out to the East Coast.  Upon arriving in Philadelphia I got a craving for Peruvian food and remembered Vista Peru.  I looked for the address and to confirm it was open via the Yelp app.  I saw that it was currently closed but it was going to open at 4:00 PM. This would not be an issue since I arrived at into Philadelphia at 3:30 PM.   I made my way into city and found parking to cost $27 for the evening!   Since I had already parked the car it was not worthwhile to find another location. I assumed they would all be the same rate anyway.   I paid the fee and crossed the street only to find Vista Peru was closed until Thursday! Frustrated I looked for nearby places to eat and ended up having a cheese steak sandwich at Campos.  This was a very tasty sandwich but really felt the gut bomb soon after completing the meal.

Afterwards I made my way to a Giant grocery store to pickup some fruit and protein drinks before calling it a night at the Embassy Hotel.

Day 2

I woke up and headed out to the service center to meet with my local sales rep, Angelo. After a few hellos with the service center staff we left to our first customer visit.   We decided to stop for lunch at a local BBQ spot lunch called Big Daddy’z.   The ribs and brisket was very tasty and priced at a fair price.  I really liked how the brisket was sliced so thinly.   This was my first time eating Brisket served in this manner.

After we returned to the Service Center and we worked for a few hours. After completing the day I headed back to the hotel to drop off my work gear and change into my workout clothing. I grabbed a few items and went to workout at the Planet Fitness. After an hour workout I called it a day and went back to the hotel to eat the leftover BBQ from lunch.

Day 3

In the morning I worked out at the hotel’s fitness center.  It was amazing to me that the gym had no wipes, towels or anything for people to keep the equipment clean.   Very disappointing.  Luckily I had some disinfectant wipes in my bag and was able to use it on the gym equipment.

Afterwards  I headed out to the service center to meet with Angelo.   We headed out into Pennsylvania stopping in the towns of Harrisburg and Scranton.  

We stopped for lunch at an eatery on the way to Scranton called Scottos.   I had the meatball sub which was quite tasty and hit the spot.

Upon arriving in Scranton I began to think about The Office.   I really wanted to drive around the city to see some of the locations filmed for the show. After a Google search it was clear that most of the show’s locations were not in Scranton but California! Nevertheless there were still some locations that I wish we would have had more time to go exploring.   But we were 2.5 hours away from the service center and my car.   I had scheduled a tennis clinic at the Green Valley Tennis center that started at 6:30 PM and it was 3:00 PM.

We left Scranton back to Bridgeport, New Jersey.   One thing I had not counted on was most of the way back was on a 2-line highway and the amount of traffic.  These two factors caused us to be delayed. I arrived at the Service Center around 5:45 PM.    I quickly said my farewell to Angelo before getting into my car and driving out to the Green Valley Tennis Center.

Upon arriving I had to drive around the tennis club a couple of times since there was no visible sign or entrance.   I did notice the tennis indoor bubble and knew there had to be some sort of hidden entrance. I eventually found a small driveway which was hard since nothing was lighted! 

I quickly changed into my workout clothing and went into the tennis bubble.   To my astonishment the courts were clay!   I was very surprised and excited to be playing again on clay courts.   I had a great workout with the instructors, Natalia, who were both from Russia.   I inquired with the instructor on how to pay for the clinic and she stated that only cash or checks were accepted.   I had neither and asked if she could receive a payment on Zelle.  She then put her hand up in the air and told me not to worry about it.   I assured her that my next payment would cover this and the following session.   She was so kind and very complementary to my tennis game.

Afterwards I drove back to the hotel in heavy rain.   It was a long day and was ready to hit the sack.

Day 4

I had a 10:00 AM morning flight which gave me the luxury of being able to sleep until 6:00 AM.  I was able to check some emails, bank balances and enjoy the morning.   I returned my rental car and then took the shuttle to Terminal D.   I had breakfast at the Lounge and was notified that my seat was upgraded to First Class.   I was looking really forward to being with my family and in my own bed that evening.

Day 1

The day started off with my normal routine of having breakfast with the family before heading off to the Houston airport.  I took my trusty Honda CRV to the Parking Spot which has become a known destination to me.

The parking shuttle service took me to the C Terminal where I proceeded to check in my bag. I then went through TSA security leveraging the Clear service. I really don’t know if Clear is saving me much time versus PreTSA.   On this particular day PreTSA had a shorter wait time than Clear.  I suppose its always better to have a second option for any unforeseen circumstances.

After passing through security I headed to the United lounge and conducted my Tuesday morning one-on-one calls.  Upon completing my meetings I made my way over to Potbelly. I bought an Apple Walnut salad along with a bottle of water.  This is a healthy alternative to the other quick meals offered at this Terminal.  It also helps that the salad tastes pretty good.

After purchasing my lunch I boarded the plane and a couple of hours later arrived in Cincinnati.   I picked up my suitcase and went to get my car from National Car rental.   On this trip I scored an Audi SUV which was really nice to drive.   It almost tempted me to think about trading in my Honda CRV.   In the end I decided to stay true and loyal to my car back home.

As I was getting into the Audi I began to feel my stomach rumble.   I thought about a Gyro and searched for a place on the Yelp app.  I found a restaurant called Gyro on Main. This place is located in a very nice, historic looking neighborhood.   The street was full of stores, eateries, bars and other cool locales.  It seemed to be really laid back and the kind of place that would be bustling on a summer day.

The gentleman serving me at Gyro on Main was very nice but unfortunately his mother was in the hospital. Before leaving I wished him, his mother and family well. I then drove to the Hilton Garden Inn located in Chelsea Midtown.   I quickly got changed into my workout clothing and made my way to the East Hill Tennis Club. I played for an hour and a half with the local coach and team.

These clinics are a great way to burn off stress and calories.  There is no better way to end the day.  I’m always very grateful for the opportunity to play with nice people.

Day 2

The day started early with me going to Planet Fitness. I did strength workout before returning to the hotel to have breakfast.  While eating my cereal I was listening to the Wall Street Journal News app. This app has turned out to be a great resource for me to stay current with business and Global news.  I really like the being able to listen to the story via the audio feature.  

My local sales rep, Kyle, showed up at 7:15 AM and we both headed out to visit a couple accounts.  After our two customer visits we stopped for lunch at a place called The Clubhouse.  This was a nice family restaurant that primarily serves sandwiches and soups.  I had a very tasty meatball sub. Upon arriving back to my hotel I changed into my workout clothes and headed out to the Western Athletic Tennis Club.

This is another great facility that has 8 indoor courts. The clinic had about 15 people and lasted 1 1/2 hours.  I found it amazing that the coaches were able to keep everyone active and moving the whole time.  This was especially impressive since we only played on two courts! This is one of the best workouts I’ve had in a while. Tennis definitely keeps your feet and body in constant motion.  

Day 3

The day started once again with me going to Planet Fitness and getting in my morning workout.  After having a quick breakfast at the hotel Kyle picked me up and we headed out to our first customer visit in Kentucky.

It was a rainy morning which provided some beautiful scenery throughout the drive.  After we completed our customer meeting Kyle took me to visit the historic towns of Maysville and Augusta.  What made these towns interesting to me was the fact that this is where the Freedom Trail took place.  It was in these homes where Slaves were hidden and held so they could be transported across the Ohio river to their freedom.  It was really a poignant moment and made me think about the significance that one side of the river had for a single black person during these horrifying times.   I feel strongly that these towns should be visited by more people so they can learn more about this country’s history and at the same time support the local businesses.   While metropolitan cities continue to thrive it is important that these towns survive for future generations to experience.  

After a couple of hours we headed back into Cincinnati where we had a great lunch at the Buckhead Mountain Grill.   I had a Kentucky Hot Brown for the first time in my life.   This is an open-faced turkey sandwich with bacon and Mornay sauce on Texas toast. Needless to say it was very filling.

We then made our way across the street to The Party Source liquor store.   I wanted to see if I could get my hands on a Blantons bourbon bottle.  Upon arriving to the Bourbon aisle I was amazed to see the large selection.   However there was no Blantons to be found.   We then left and headed back to the Hilton hotel to finish up the day.  

After Kyle dropped me off at the hotel I went back to my room to work for a few hours before leaving for another clinic at the East Tennis Club.   This was my second session with the Sarah (the coach).   She once again did a great job moving everyone around and keeping the action going the whole time.   Towards the end of the clinic my legs began to feel very heavy and tired.   It was a good feeling to complete this clinic and the other 2 days of solid tennis play.

Day 4

Is was an early 3:30 AM (EST) start for me as I had a flight leaving Cincinnati’s CVG airport at 6:30 AM. After checking in and passing through security I had to wait an hour before the CVG club lounge was open to travelers. I am able to access this lounge via Priority Pass due to my Capital Venture X credit card. After eating a parfait and cereal I boarded the plane. I then recalled that my seat had been upgraded to First Class. This seat came with breakfast and I instantly began to make some room in my stomach. The airline served up waffles and everything on the tray was very good. I finally arrived in Houston a bit tired but was glad to be home and in warmer weather.

October 25, 2022 ~ Day 1

I started my day by going early to Planet Fitness.  I then headed home to have breakfast with the family and get ready for the trip. After saying my goodbyes I left to the Houston International airport.

Once again I conducted my morning 1-1 team conference calls at the United Club lounge before receiving a First class upgrade notification.  There would no meal offered since this was only a 2-hour flight but the larger seat and extra leg room are always welcomed.  

After arriving in Kansas City I began to search on Yelp for a good to place to eat.  After reviewing different options I ended up at Garozzo’s Italian restaurant.  This turned out to be an excellent selection as this place serves up great food.   I also liked the vibe of the neighborhood that came with an Italian inspired fire hydrant.

After paying the bill I left for my hotel.  I chose stay in the Country Club area because it is near the Country Club Plaza shopping area.   This is a really nice place to walk around in the evening, have a drink and a great meal.  There is also a nearby park that is really beautiful and nice to walk around. It contains a fountain that is very similar to the one found in Versailles.

As I arrived at the hotel I quickly got changed into my tennis gear, grabbed my racket and headed over to the Genesis Health Club in Overland Park.   This is an amazing facility that has 10 indoor tennis courts and a full bar to enjoy after a match.  I got to play in 2 different classes that lasted for total of 2.5 hours.   It was a great workout and a lot of fun.   The tennis coach, Arek, was really good about keeping the lesson fluid and fun.   I am definitely looking forward to my next visit at this facility.

October 26, 2022 ~ Day 2

I started the morning by working out at the local Planet Fitness.  Then returned to have breakfast at the hotel with the local sales rep, Kevin.  

After working for a few hours at the service center we decided to go to one of my favorite restaurants in Kansas, El Camino Real, for lunch.   This place serves Taco al Pastor just like the ones you would find in Mexico City.   The meat is marinated in the same manner and is cooked on a skewer to perfection.   The taste of these tacos takes me right back to the streets of Polanco.

After lunch Kevin and I returned to the service center to finish working for the day.   Afterwards we left to the hotel where I was able to get in a quick cardio workout at the hotel’s gym.

Kevin and I then met in the evening for dinner and decided to go for barbecue.   We found ourselves at the Rosedale Barbecue restaurant which was within walking distance from our hotel.   Similar to Houston, Kansas City is a good destination for Barbecue. As we entered the eatery we were informed that Burnt Ends are a specialty of Kansas City BBQ.   This is the fatty part of the meat.   I decided not to order this meal as heartburn would not be too far off in the distance after consuming it.   I decided to get the brisket and pulled pork with a side of macaroni & cheese and coleslaw.   It was delicious.  Kevin got a rib plate that was so big he wasn’t able to finish it.

Afterwards we headed back to the hotel and called it a day.

October 27, 2022 ~ Day 3

I was able to return home in the early afternoon after a morning visit with an important client. It was a great trip and really enjoy visiting Kansas City. I tell my friends that this city is still an undiscovered gem and one of the best places to live in the USA. Until next time Kansas!

   

Day 1

10/18/2022

I woke up early to go workout at Planet Fitness before returning home to have breakfast with the family. After arriving at the Bush airport and passing through security I went directly to the United Club Lounge to begin my morning 1-1 team meetings in the private phone rooms.

After four hours I boarded the flight to Detroit. Upon arriving I headed to my favorite restaurant in the Novi area, Alloush Grill. This place serves up fantastic Mediterranean food that is fresh and delicious every time. I usually get the Lamb skewer plate. Yummy!

After completing my meal I made my way to the Detroit Tennis club for another set of drills. I played with a great group of guys that made the hour long class feel like 15 minutes. The tennis pro, Brian, was young but very personable and offered get tennis tips. I then made my way back to the hotel to rest for the evening.

Day 2

10/19/2022

I started my morning by going workout at the local Planet Fitness. Then had some cereal at the very well set and standard Hampton Inn buffet. After getting ready for the day I went looking for a local coffee shop. I was able to use the Waze app to find a local coffee shop around the corner from the hotel. I enjoy going to local businesses as their quality and customer service tend to be better than the larger coffee chains. As I entered the shop a strong scent of cinnamon hit my senses. I then discovered that this store specializes in serving coffee from Yemen. I paused to think if it was worth trying something new or going for my standard cappuccino. I decided to be adventurous and asked the Barista for a standard coffee from this country. A few moments later he handed me a paper cup of scolding hot coffee. I waited about 30 minutes before attempting to drink it. As I lifted the cup to my lips the coffee had a very heavy sweet taste. In the end, I did not like it. I am sure it is great after you acquire a taste for it but its very different from my daily cup of brew. At least now I know that coffee from Yemen is not for me.

After our first customer meeting I met up with our local sales rep, Tom, at the Chandler Cafe in Sylvania, Ohio. This is a small quaint town with a lot of beautiful scenery.

Before leaving the town of Sylvania Tom wanted to take me to a Men’s clothing store called House of Him. I met with the owner, Kevin, who was a youthful looking man, who is very passionate about his business. This place not only offers tailored clothing but is also a Salon that sells personal care items and can offer you a whiskey on the rocks at the same time. You can come into this store and leave a different person. It was quite a sight to see.

In the afternoon I returned to my hotel and noted all the changing leaf colors on the trees. This is something that is sorely missing in Houston.

I decided to make a quick stop at Chipotle on the way to my hotel. I must say the last few Chipotle visits have been very disappointing. There is always something going on that takes away from a peaceful and satisfying meal. The last few times there has been something wrong with the rice cooker, only taking online orders, and the place is usually very dirty. This is a big negative for me and is causing me to go to eat at other places.

After resting at the hotel I went back to Planet Fitness to do an hour cardio workout. Afterwards, I was ready to go back to the hotel to rest.

Day 3

10/20/2022

I started the day by working out at Planet Fitness. Then made my way to visit a cement company. After this meeting there was a scheduled lunch with another customer at Major Biddles. The restaurant served a decent lunch buffet that included tacos and a salad bar. Afterwards I headed out to the Detroit airport to continue working in the lounge. It did start to snow as I arrived which made it the first snowfall for me this year. This was a nice visit to Detroit.