On the ground in Amsterdam!

I’ve cleared customs and heading to meet Diewert, my host for the next couple of days. I’m staying on the bright and airy top floor of his houseboat perched high above one of the 165 canals in old Amsterdam and look forward to using it as home base for this leg of my journey.

Even though I’m half a world away today, my heart is with the city and greater metro Houston area, my family and friends who live and work there and all of the brave and tireless first responders still rescuing families and pets from the deluge Hurricane Harvey dumped across the area. My thoughts and prayers go out to all for safety in the coming days and a full recovery over what will surely take weeks, months and even years.

Not to be lost in the unfolding tragedy are the many business interests in the Houston area that have also been adversely impacted by the aftermath of Harvey. I can’t help but imagine well-designed Business Continuity Plans across eastern Texas dusted off and some facing a first-time test in a true disaster scenario. My best wishes to all those organizations for a quick, smooth and full return to productivity in the days and weeks ahead.

If you’re joining in progress and curious about my trip, start here.