PSPINC CEO Kenichi Uchikura's Blog

Privatizing Postal Service

Jul

13

I learned in Germany that German Postal Service is run by DHL. I forgot my glasses in Berlin and my daughter sent it to me by Postal Service (DHL) … It cost my daughter 3.45Euro … about US$4.00 … Amazing. It would have cost me 5 to 8 times that if I had to sent it to Berlin.

#Life #Politics #Society

Interesting Sign at Duomo

Jul

11

You are allowed to take pictures but you are not allowed to use tripod.

#Travel

Auschwitz

Jul

10

Auschwitz II-Birkenau

We need to remember so that we may not do it again.

We visited Auschwitz which is located about 50 miles (80km) from Krakow. Although, it is one of the most visited places in Poland, I would not call it a sight seeing spot. But I am glad that I had chance to visit.

I will post pictures of Auschwitz and Auschwitz II-Birkenau next week as it might be too graphic to some. Have a good weekend!

#Life #Politics #Society

Krakow, Poland

Jul

10

Krakow Poland. Second largest city in poland with 1.5 million people. Their currency is called złoty. 1 złoty is about 27 US cents. It's not much to see in this historic city.

But be careful withdrawing money using ATM … One at the hotel charged me 33 cents per złoty. Luckly, I exchanged only $150.

#Travel

Stress and Internet

Jul

10

It may be me but there is a direct relationship between the stress level and speed of Internet access. Faster the access is less stress you feel. I was on vacation so I should not be feeling stressed about not having fast Internet, but I really did.

#Computer #Internet

Germany to Italy

Jul

10

Stuttgart to Milan … The air fair was only about $20 … unbelievable. This flight was less than an hour and took us right over Alps. We took a bus to the central station and walked about 10 minuets to the hotel. This hotel had a very good Internet that made us all feel; less stressed.

#Travel

Rhine Wine and Cruise

Jul

10

This is supposed to be Germany's Oldest Hotel

Castle on top of the hill is a hotel … I don't want to go up there.

Cheap Dinner

We did Rhine River Excursion … We drove for about an hour and had down stream and got on the boat upstream for about an hour to our restaurant. We had chicken and fresh fries and very small amount of wine tasting. For 80 Euro, I would not recommend it. We saw about 4 castles and explanations were coming from the loud speakers.

I learned that grapes grown around this area are not allowed to use any chemicals ,,, this supposed to be the purest wine in all of Germany.

#Travel

Japanese Anime Culture in Germany

Jul

9

I don't know if I should be proud of this or not.

#Culture #Tradition

From the FRA Airport to The Hotel

Jul

9

I met my daughter at an airport lounge. They had frankfurt ,,.

Police were everywhere at the airport.

The Car rental center was located at the basement floor.

This was our car for next 5 days.

View of Frankfurt downtown from the note.

This was the hotel.

TAXI

Post Office … It is operated by DHL

Toilets were often not free.

Water was cheap but you have to pay for the bottle.

You can get your bottle mopey back when you return it.

T Mobile Hot Spot WiFi at our hotel was slow and not reliable specially when I try to connect iPhone and iPad.

We went to a mall near by and had hot dog for lunch.

It was very good.

German version of T.J.Maxx???

This is a drug store chain. By this time I realize there is not air conditioning in many places in Germany.

This was the only means of Internet at this hotel.

This hotel had a great breakfast buffet.

Fresh Orange juice … Start of a second day.

After I me my daughter, we went to pick up a rental car … I rented from Hertz not from Enterprise (Seattle Execs Member Company) because Enterprise did not have Stuttgart drop off option.

The car I reserved was Mercedes E Class but the upgraded me to CLS with diesel engine. I guess it is normal to have diesel engine in Germany. The car had navigation system which they programmed it to operate in English. This navigation system was a life saver. If you rent a car there, you need to get one with the navigation.

The hotel we stayed was about 30 minuets away by car but I have remind you that I was doing 100mph. The hotel I stayed had no room temperature control that I can control. And the Internet was not free, I ended up buying T-Mobile Hot Spot for 4.99 Euro for 24 hours. The Internet connection was slow and their password and user name was LLLLLLLOOOOONNNNGGGGG. I would not recommend it.

The hotel we stayed was a quite away from Frankfurt downtown and there was not much there. Please see the comments on the photos.

#Travel

From Seattle to Frankfurt 06-25-2015

Jul

9

Airplane arrived late from Frankfurt

I usually fly other way to get to Japan.

I think it is ready to go to Seattle again.

You have t walk long long way.

Quick passport control and you are out.

There are three areas like this at FRA

I flew on Condor Airline from Seattle to Frankfurt. This airline is owned by Thomas Cook, the travel agency. The plane was delayed about an hour because it was delayed arriving from Frankfurt. the business class tickets were about 35% cheaper than Lufthansa or any other airlines. Overall this airline is very good. I would recommend it.

The Frankfurt airport is big, it is really big. Their Free internet is provided by Telekom.de (T Mobile) but you had to register. Without that I would have had hard time meeting my daughter.

Airport looks dated, looks like the airport of 1980's. Especially looking at the big board that is not LED.

#Travel