Week 3 - Chilling at chilly Cape Town

This week had just three working days. Huyaing and me spent the week meeting suppliers, as part of our projects and gathering data for our research. As I had mentioned earlier our projects involves tracing the supply chain of Mr Price suppliers to try and find areas of reducing costs. I also visited the Distribution Center to start work on my second project involving slotting. Amidst all the projects we(interns) did catch up with Athi, Justin and Claire, Justin's beautiful wife, at the House of Curries, for dinner. I had my first taste of the famous “Bunny Chow”, South Africa’s local spicy cuisine. It was delicious.

House of Curries- Yum Yum Yum!!!

As I mentioned earlier this week Mr Price had grand plans for us in Capetown. So, on Thursday we flew to Capetown with our tour guides, Angela and Portia. Angela and Portia both work in the HR department at Mr Price and errr,let me say it the South African way-They were hectic, Man!(Hope I got it right). There was not a dull moment in the whole trip. Ummm…..maybe a few but, only when we were just tired of having fun.

The lighthouse just opposite our hotel entrance.

Thursday evening started with a great dinner at a local restaurant called “Bar-ba –coa.” We were joined with another Mr Price employee Christine , who works at Capetown. I wonder how Mr Price finds the amazing people. It was a night filled with laughter and smiles. I remember goining to bed thinking about the wonderful places I would be visting over the next few days.

First meal In CT- Seated on table from right: Huaying, Jenny, Angela, Portia and Christine. Grrrreat Company

Friday started  with a quick breakfast at our hotel, La Splendida. And trust me - It was Splendid! Portia  drove us all to the harbor where we boarded MV DIAS and sailed towards Robben Island. We saw a quite a few seals on the way and it came as no suprise when we leartnt later that Robben Island means "Island of Seals" in Dutch. Robben Island is perhaps, one of the most famous political prisons in the workld.The island where Nelson Mandela was kept a captivefor 18 years. The cells tell many a tale of the other prisoners, who like Nelson Mandela, where impriosoned for thier political views. One of the guides at the tour was an ex-inmate and it was heart wrenching to hear about the the daily lives of the inmates and how they kept the struggle on even from the prison. It was practically here that the constitution by the South Africa was rewritten by these great men.

Three chirpy ladies enroute to Robben Island

The pile of stones at the quarry ,where the priosners had to work, was started by Nelson Mandela, at a reunion of former prisoners in 1995, and more stones added by the former prisoners. The pile made of stones of different color, size and shape represents the diversity and unity in the rainbow nation- South Africa

This pic could compete for the best pic ever through an iphone. Its not the camera it's the locale--- aaaaamaazing

We returned back to the mainland around noon for another fabulous meal of fish and chips. I can still hear Angela saying-“it was Dee-vine”. We then returned to our hotel as Christine had a bombastic evening planned for us. After another great meal comprising of steak we headed out to Asoka’s for a night of dancing and revelry. However, it was a dissapoinment and just when I thought that maybe, maybe the party quotient was to be a bit less I was proved wrong. Christine took us to 31, a pub on the 31^st floor of the ABSA building. And “OOOH MY GOOD’’ did we dance. Surprise package of the evening the timid Huaying. She rocked and so did the others. Thanks Christine,the evening was Rocking!

Club 31, for the twenty year olds that we are the place was toooo much!!!!!

We had been glancing at Table Mountain, since the day we had landed in Capetown, hoping that we would be lucky enough to get the cable car ride. Unfortunately, that was not meant to be. It had been cloudy and wet since the day we got there but, we did get a chance to see the most amazing locales and scenes in a tour bus through Cape Town. Each locale was better than the other and, there were times I was so lost just watching out the window I forgot to click a picture. And maybe even a picture could not do justice to the yellow sand, the evergreen landscape, the sun which shone at just the right moment(for a few seconds) on the Atlantic. It was a surreal experience! I think by the end of the day our bodies were giving way, with all the travelling and partying from last night and so we called it a early night. Oh,  but before I forget,  we went to the cutest restaurant ever called Sidewalk, for lunch, and had one of the most YUM (as Portia would say), meals ever. Dinner at Lasplendida, compised of  the oxtail and mash potatoes, another South African speciality, and was just awesome.

Table Mountain- On a bright sunny day.Clicked from the ferry enroute to Robben Island.

Table Mountain on the remaining few days.. Argggh , but that is just another reason to go back to CT

Sunday was the last day in Capetown but,not a uneventful one. We checked out early and, headed towards Tiger Valley Mall to check out the new concept stores, by Mr Price. The color combination, lighting and the decor looks just great. We visited Mr Price and Mr Price Home stores. Then we headed of to Spier, a local winery and after a wine tasting session towards Stellenbosch, a settlement by the early europeans and, a most picturesque town. Lunch was steak and fries,(another "Yum" and "Divine" meal), that was to be the last meal in CT. From there we headed to the airport and boarded the flight back to home, sweet home, Durban.

 I have said it before and I have to say it again Angela and Portia-"Thank you so so much for the mosty eventful, fun, crazy weekend at Capetown". And in true South African style let me express my feelings once more -"IT WAS HECTIC, MAN!"  :-)

Week 2: Work and Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The last phase of the induction was a store visit. We visited the biggest Mr Price Apparel store in Durban and, had a close look at the hard work that goes into setting up a store, receiving the stock and ensuring that the customer leaves with a smile on the face. The store associates and employees explained each and every function very well. Thanks a lot guys.

Huaying made a new freind at the Mr Price store

Roland showing me around the stock room at Mr Price Apparel

Huaying and I, spent the rest of the week working on our projects in the supply chain department. We have two very interesting supply chain related projects for our internship. The first involves examining the supply chain of the Mr Price suppliers, and provide suggestions for reducing overall systems cost and the second involving effective slotting at the Distribution Center. The projects are in line with my future aspirations of working the supply chain filed in the future and will provide invaluable experience.

This weekend was  our (interns) first brush with the Durban nightlife and boy, were we in for a treat. Err, let me try and phrase my experience using supply chain terminology. For our study of the Durban nightlife we had priceless support of Athi and Sam, HR’s at Mr Price. Needless to say once again we found out that Mr Price employees are numero uno in partying  department. Under their complete supervision, we started the evening, savoring the delicacies at Tasha’s, a restaurant at the local Gateway mall. As the evening matured we all demanded more fun. Sam and Ati took us down to Florida street . Our demand( read crazy partying) finally reached a equilibrium with the supply(read great hangout places). Thank you Ati and Sam for a wonderful, wonderful evening.

Starting the weekend at Tasha's - with Athi

Sam & Athi- Two vivacious personalities

The next day, we three roommates ventured out for a trip to the Valley of a 1000 hills. The 30 min ride to the suburbs was filled with the most picturesque sights. I cannot justify the sights and the views with words, the closest I come to is “Divine”. We had a hearty breakfast of pancakes at a local restaurant, called “The View”. And trust me the view from “The View” was also heavenly. We then drove to the Phezulu Safari park. The park includes a walk through a crocodile park and snake park.I had a lot of fun seeing how excited(read devastated) Huaying was when we had a chance to touch the python. The Phezulu trip came to an end with us witnessing the traditional Zulu dance. The dance depicted courtship, engagement and the subsequent weeding celebration of a young Zulu couple and held us spellbound.

View from "The View"

Nooo- Huaying is not scared.........Yaaa Right!!!

The wedding celebrations

This week- “Capetown”. HERE WE COME

Week 1- Induction

How many interns get famous in their respective organization in the first working day? Well, we did. J The HR team flashed a circular with our smiling pic to everyone in the office, and well, we have had smiling faces greet us ever since. The casual dress code at the office and the colorful office spaces makes work a fun place. That being said the teams work very hard and diligently and everyone puts the best foot forward.

The picture that made us famous. :-)

The Mr Price building is actually an old rail station which has been converted to a corporate office. The train station is still in use; technically we are situated above the station. Each Trading Department has a separate office space. The divisions are- Mr Price Apparel, Mr Price Sport, Mr Price Home, Miladys and Sheet Street. Huaying and I will be working as Supply Chain Interns in the Apparel Group. The Supply Chain Division handles the consignment of the various divisions to ensure that they reach the stores a timely manner. I will of course be talking more about the division in future blogs.


Mr Price office building

So, we have a shuttle to take us from the main entrance to the parking. How cool is that!

Hayley and Justin, had drawn up an induction schedule and we met members of the division and his week we got an overview of each department. We had an induction with the Trend Department, Marketing Department and obviously, the supply chain department. It was a great to learn how the team at Trend department makes a catalogue depicting the incoming trends and passes it on to the buyers who then coordinate with the suppliers to achieve affordable, great looking clothing. The marketing department works closely with the buyers in coming up with a campaign depicting the latest offerings to hit the store and, coordinates the release with the time the consignment is to reach the stores.

First day at my desk

At Mr Price Kings Park Stadium

Mr Price Kings Park!!!

Mr Price treated the interns to a rugby match. England vs. Springboks(South Africa). The rain gods decided to visit Durban on the D- day, but that could not dampen the spirit of the 40,000 supporters who had come down to Mr Price Kingspark Stadium. Yes, Mr Price is the official sponsor of the stadium. The roaring crowds had 3 American students cheering for the springboks like crazy. Icing on the cake- WE WON 

Is it a Dream!!!!!!!!!

Durban- At Last!!!!!

The moment the flight attendant on the route from Johannesburg to Durban announced “Ladies and gentlemen please switch your mobile phones, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries or any other type of berry”, I knew this would be fantastic trip. Hayley and Justin,from Mr Price, met us at the King Shaka International Airport,Durban. Justin had been incharge of this program last year but he has since moved on to different projects and this year Hayley is in-charge of our internship. They are both such pleasant personalities that is seems like I have known them for ages.

We drove straight to out apartment from the airport. One word for the cozy 3 bed room apartment- Mind Blowing( well that's two words but its appropriate). Situated right on the beach, the view from the balcony is simply breathtaking. I can see the vessels at anchor and realize just how lucky Walton has been for me. A year back I would have been on one the anchored vessels, not in the plush apartment with all the modern furnishings.At the apartment we met Jenny Hwang, a Harvard MBA student, a co-Intern, roommates and a most wonderful personality. At the airport it seemed it seemed that I couldn't wait to hit the sack but the magical Durban air infused new life into me. Justin and Hayley took us  for a  tour of the neighborhood. To say that we are living in a convenient location would be an understatement. Restaurants, banks, grocery shops are all withing walking distance from our apartment.

Home away from home - Sea Lodge, Umhlanga Rocks

On the beach with Jenny (in pink shades) and Huaying

After Justin and Hayley left the three of us ventured out to savor the local cuisine and had a hearty meal at a local restaurant. It was after the meal that my body gave way and so we strolled down the beach to our apartment and called it a day.Thus ended my first day at Durban.

Sunrise from my Balcony

Justin, Hayley, Huaying and Jenny (JHHJ )

Wishlist

The next day Hayley dropped by at 10 am and drove us around the city and a local beach. I have never seen surfers before and it was a treat to watch them ride the waves. Surfing is definitely on my wishlist now. We had a lazy afternnon and checked out the night life in Umhlanga later. Our first Sunday was spent watching a South African Hollywood Star's Movie at the local cinema- Snow White and the Huntsmen.Let's see whats in store for tomorow. After all it will be my- MY FIRST DAY AT MR PRICE. :-)