Busy and fun day here in Mexico City.. Let me start by wishing my Dad a happy 82nd birthday. I was able to catch my mom and dad on Facetime this afternoon to wish him a happy birthday

feliz cumpleaños (Happy Birthday)  Pa.. you’re an inspiration to me.. and I love you very much !

Beautiful day here today..

began with guanaba juice.. how cool s that ?

I gave tow university talks today which involved multiple hour long drives in the car with Friends Javier, Selene and Ed.. the traffic here is terrible.. which is ironic.. because one of the things I’m here to discuss is traffic prediction.

first talk was at Monterrey Tech , Mexico campus.. I was here last year as well. there were about 800 (!!!!) ollege and high school kids tfor my talk.. Despite some early equipment problems (my laptop wouldn’t sart) the talk went pretty well.  I got a chance to talk to a bunch of the kids after my talk. I’m SO impressed with the students.. and the engineers here in Mexico. they are smart.. an they have… heart… it’s the ‘calor humano’. i  think it’s really a special blend. I think these guys are going to make a big difference in the world.

Here’s the student committee that organized the talk.. They were really great hosts.

Between talks, Javier took us to a restaurant that specialized in regional food.. We had huitalachoche (corn fungus) crepes, Hybiscus flower enchiladas, enchiladas in walnut creme sauce (in the colors of the Mexican flag) an enchaladas con mole (chocolate spice sauce).. all really good.. I wanted to roll in the sauces.

Then talk number 2 at ITAM..   I visted here last year as well. Again a really warm welcome, really smart kids.. great questions. I left feeling really happy that the world is getting these new nerds !

Javiear’s faterh even came to see the talk. It was a real pleasure getting to meet him. Youreally build connections with these visits.

Here are the ITAM organizers.

Then a quick (never quick here)  drive home. then out for dinner with my IBM posse.   First a quick view out my window. Mexico city is surprisingly green and lush !

First stop was the museum of folk art.

there was a great exhibit of glass there.. we go to meet the designer..

then we looked around at the folkart.

the building itself was an art piece !

here’s our dinner crew.

We went to Tacuba. downtown . the same place that Diane and i ate at last time we were in Mexico city a year ago.. great place.. !

Selene and Holy with matching shirts.

Mauricio and Gabriel

huge portions.. These were really good cheese Rellenos

When I walked in tongiht, I noticed the waitress that had served diane and me last year. she was very helpful.. trying to find vegitarian stuff on the menu via my lousy spanish.. I asked Selene to help me ask her if she was the same person. even before we did, she told us she rememeberd me.. and was glad to see me back..now thats’ pretty cool .. no ?

 

ok. almost 2 AM and I just finished up work for the day.. time to get some sleep. More tomorrow

Happy birthday again Dad.. I love you

 

nite all, nite sam

-me