I didn't have breakfast since I wasn't feeling to well, but I did go down to the shopping center Lago Mar to have a Grande Cafe Mocha from one of the cities many Starbucks.
Forgetting that I had several copies that I needed to produce I returned quickly to the hotel business center and published the needed copies, and descended to the ground floor to hope in the awaiting taxi.
The taxi ride was uneventful and the traffic was forgiving, putting us at the ministry of interior 20 mins before my co-workers. We past several Chinese restaurants that looked interesting, and reminded me that they are called "Chifa" here. The Guards at the front gate were well informed of my arrival and waved me through after verifying my name.
The Ministry's compound is a refurbished airport that was built somewhere in the 30's. I'll get the exact date today.
Miriam Choi from the Embassy arrived and we walked into the Vice Minister's conference room. I met my main counter part retired general Julio Salas Pinto. A kind strong man with a quick and firm handshake.
The rest of the 10 participants arrived and took their chairs while the Vice Minister took the head of the table honoring me by allowing me to sit at his left. We exchanged pleasantries and I was presented formally by Miriam Choi to the Ministry of Interior. I followed up with a brief resume of my latest achievements which were well received and accepted.
The meeting went on and all the points were touched. (I don't want to bore you with the details.) The VM was very kind and at the end of the meeting offered me an office fully furnished, with computer, internet access, phone, internal email, and the use of his secretaries, and assistants. But he asked me to be committed to the process and asked that I spend long hours on this effort so as to make the 2-week stay as efficient as possible.
I was then taken by the arm by Gen Salas into his office to start the face-to-face meetings as soon as possible.
The day was long and I left the Ministry's compound at 9pm.
