Nothing to do with the Port....

I couldn't update my blog last week as I was in Portugal with Cisco and unfortunately I couldn't sign on.

I certainly didn't drink too much port and forget my password if that is what you are thinking.

However the trip itself was interesting - unfortunately I didn't get to see anything of Lisbon - we did go on a night trip via a tram - but there is only so much you can see in the pitch dark. Funnily enough the tram ride took over an hour, which made us late for the rest of the evening.

We were taken to a sumptuous palace for dinner and the setting truly was superb, the food was very rich and the alcohol flowed very well (nice port). But the true highlight of the evening was the entertainment. Three guys posing as waiters ended up singing opera in the middle of the meal and right up until the second song people were not sure if they were an act or the waiters truly were spontaneous opera singers.

Interestingly enough for us the performers picked all Cisco people to hone in on which made a nice change from picking on the press (HP I hope you are reading this!!) - so we were able to enjoy the Cisco reps being embarrassed for a change.

Cisco appeared in a very upbeat mood despite the gloomy economic predictions and although it did admit some of its partners may not make it through the storm, it made it clear that they all have its full support. I just hope it rubs off on the rest of the industry.