Relaxing Weekend at Valle de Bravo, Mexico

 Our first week at work ended with a royal treatment at the owner's lake house in Valle de Bravo

Pieter, happily standing outside with the spectacular view of the lake and mountains!

During our 2nd stay there on January 15 of 1995, Pieter did sail on the lake with Agustín; his first time ever.

Breakfast outside, on the patio... Eco friendly without any paper napkins, plates or cups!

It can't be more romantic than that!

Agustín and Carmen always were such gracious hosts. They have over those twelve years of working for the company, and even far beyond that, become great friends!

View from the patio over the lake...

Such a lovely place to come to with their family and friends...

We sure didn't mind being here Friday late afternoon through Sunday!

View from the pool area.

View to the other side, as seen from the pool area.

Settling a Dispute in SPANISH with Disgruntled Customer

My 6th period of consulting in Mexico, May 1997. 

Only being my 2nd day on the job as consultant, I got involved in solving a customer's dispute...

Trying to convince a disgruntled customer of our intention to grow, pick and ship top quality mushrooms...

Quite a language test!

Looking inside the truck at product that was refused; wrongly in my opinion because it was quite good.

Yes, we do have quality on the beds and harvesters are quite well being trained and educated.

The dispute has been settled.

Earned me a cup of coffee!

Yes, it was an impromptu Spanish practice but I've always loved this language and the people.

Manager Luis Astier next to me and Agustín one of the owners of Monteblanco.

Great friendships over the years and fond memories.

On Friday evening, three days later, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at a well known fish restaurant in Mexico City where also was a kind of an antique bowling alley.

Agustín, one of the owners with his wife Carmen.

Related links:

Pleasant Environment in Mexico with Great Team | previous post

Consulting in Mexico Brought us Again to Mountainous Areas | previous post about this very farm

Pleasant Environment in Mexico with Great Team

At the Monteblanco location of El Corralito, there was a great team spirit.

Basque born Chef (manager) Luis Astier (left) with his Sous Chefs...

Yep, preparing good compost substrate is the most important ingredient to success in mushroom growing!

A coffee break was always great for catching up with everything going on in the different areas.

Husband Pieter is 2nd from right, wearing his Monteblanco overall for hygienic reasons, just as I wore my white coat apron (3rd from right).

Left my cap on the table...

Chef Luis Astier was a great manager and also a real hobby Chef; hence that first photo with the Chef's hats.

It was Luis, who installed a coffee break with fresh fruits for his staff!

You can now see my plate with fruits... The 'Chef' is 2nd from left, next to husband Pieter.

Agustín, one of the owners is to Pieter's right.

They sure had some great Lady Chefs on the premises, who prepared a delicious lunch for the staff people and we both got lucky for being part of that!

Speaking the language and managing to pass down a compliment to the Lady Chefs, they learned that my Pieter LOVES arroz con leche (rice pudding) so they saved him some leftover for surprising him next day. 

Pieter was smiling from ear to ear. 

Kind people!

View from the window over the compost slab with the mountains in the back.

Related post:

Consulting in Mexico Brought us Again to Mountainous Areas | previous post about this very farm