Thursday, January 31, 2008
It was a Dark and Stormy Night...
As our aircraft made the final approach into Quito last night, there was nothing but fog visible through the small portholes. I could not see any indication of a city bursting with 3 million inhabitants. Not one single light betrayed the sea of humanity that was surely below us. All of a sudden the blue runway lights came into sight and we had landed. Exiting the aircraft, a cold chill entered my bones, and Quito revealed itself to be in the clutches of a frigid, wind-whipped, rainy night.
There was a disturbing lack of personnel and passengers in the terminal, and as it turned out we were the only plane to land in Quito last night. My transit through customs, immigration and out of the terminal was swift, and in the drizzling rain I met Carmen Alvarez, head of UPS in Ecuador. She relayed that the weather in Quito had b
een miserable for several weeks, and was concerned about delays of the rose harvest affecting the cargo bookings to Miami. We discussed the coming holiday during the ride to my hotel, but it was mostly speculative and until I visit the farms over the following days I reserved judgement. Carmen Alvarez did share two rather pertinent facts; that on the one hand cargo planes from Ecuador are not leaving full and that some airlines are cancelling scheduled flights; whereas all flights from Colombia are fully-laden and the Valentine's harvest is in full swing.
een miserable for several weeks, and was concerned about delays of the rose harvest affecting the cargo bookings to Miami. We discussed the coming holiday during the ride to my hotel, but it was mostly speculative and until I visit the farms over the following days I reserved judgement. Carmen Alvarez did share two rather pertinent facts; that on the one hand cargo planes from Ecuador are not leaving full and that some airlines are cancelling scheduled flights; whereas all flights from Colombia are fully-laden and the Valentine's harvest is in full swing.On that note we bid each other "Goodnight", and I ducked into incandescent warmth of my hotel, a welcome refuge from the miserable night.
January 31st
The next morning found me heading north from Quito on the first day of vists to rose farms that would be supplying Mayesh this Valentine's Day.
Today's visits are really preliminary inspections to ascertain whether the supply, quality and shipping dates are all going to be fulfilled according to our schedules.
Today's visits are really preliminary inspections to ascertain whether the supply, quality and shipping dates are all going to be fulfilled according to our schedules.
The weather was more of the same dreary climate I had encountered last night, although the rain was limited to sporadic showers. The high altiplane where the farms are situated is shrouded by dense nebulous aggregations of water vapor, shielding the roses from the bright sunlight that is so desirable to ensure a productive harvest. Dramatic landscapes are eclipsed by massive panoramas built from clouds that are backlit, comprising layer on layer and contrasted with clouds that are imbued with ominous dark shadows. Vapor moves at varying speeds, the enire sky resembling a massive waterfall that continuously dissembles and reforms and seems to be precipitating in zero gravity.
I visit seven farms in all, walking through their greenhouses, reviewing post-harvest facilties, and inspecting roses. This a rather arduous task, and I spend 12 hours out in the field, getting back to Quito at 7:00pm. Most of my focus is concentrated on red roses, and I discuss cutting-points, aperture and other parameters that we believe are important. With several days to go until hipping starts my presence hopefully remindds them of exactly what we expect from their farm.
As I visit each farm the content of the dialogue predictably revolves around the weather, and the hope that the sun will come out. Fortunately all our farms in the north look to be on time, which is to be expected from these professional operations. Several days of strong sun would help to bring the roses to the peak of perfection, but even with the absence of blazing sun the blooms will be of premium quality and ready to ship as scheduled.
Tomorrow, I will drive down to the southern growing areas situated in Cotopaxi and Latacunga and after establishing how the production is in these farms, we will be able to forecast more precisely the size and scope of the supply for Valentine's Day 2008.
Tonight I call up room service for a quick bite and exhausted, fall into bed.
# posted by Mayesh International @ 6:27 PM 
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David- As always, you have stimulated my brain with your colorful words & up to the minute info regarding our beloved S. American roses! Happy Trails!
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