Mah-keese

As you all know, I (Rebecca) currently support a system called MQIS for General Mills plants. MQIS is an acronym for Manufacturing Quality Information Systems. The system is used for a variety of data entry and reporting needs. To help broaden my knowledge base, I was recently sent to Irapuato, Mexico to help with the start-up of the new taco lines and implementation of MQIS. When introduced to MQIS, our Spanish friends referred to it as one word, pronounced Mah-keese (similar to Matisse). I'm petitioning to rename my team.

Onto the trip....Our descent into Leon, Mexico was accompanied by a picturesque sunset to the west and storm clouds penetrating the mountains to the north. It was quite beautiful. Pete, my co-worker, and I picked up the car and took a 45 minute drive southeast into the neighboring city of Irapuato. With an elevation of over a mile, Irapuato is 3.5 hours northwest of Mexico City. It's a smaller city, but large enough to host a General Mils plant, a Con Agra plant, a Coca-Cola plant and much more. Our days were spent at the plant in a large conference room setting up data and training the trainers. For lunch, the plant provided us with a variety of food including Dominoes pizza and chilaquiles. With our limited free time, we were able to take a tour of the new taco lines (still in the construction phase) and the neighboring Green Giant lines.

The time at the plant was constructive. Most days we were able to finish by 6pm. Our after hours schedule was determined on day one. After returning to the hotel, we split up to work-out, study, swim, and raid the grocery store of interesting Mexican treats. We met for dinner around 7:30. The first night we ate at the hotel. Despite the electronic 80s jams playing in the background, it was a pleasant evening. Vaishali, another co-worker, ordered a beer Michelada style. I was nervous for her due to our experience in Guatemala, but it was quite good! The second night we ended up at an Italian restaurant in a mall. Again, quite good, but not very cultural. Our final night in Irapuato surpassed all expectations. Pete visited Irapuato in the past and brought us to Panteon Torino (The Bull Fighters Cemetary). The restaurant is designed to look like the inside of a stadium with the liquor lined up behind the bar in the "stands". Through dinner we were serenaded by mariachi which made the meal more enjoyable. After a couple shots of tequila (served alongside tomato juice and lemon juice), the bull arrived. The bull danced through the restaurant inviting all to join along. Once everyone was roused, a stage was set up for bullfighting. We each took our turns to be the Forcados waving a red cape trying to distract a fellow patron running back and forth with bull horns held up to their head. It was quite adventurous. We had one more night in Mexico, but had to stay near the airport in Silao due to early flight times and thus had dinner at Applebees.

Even though we weren't able to fully experience all Irapuato has to offer, the trip was an excellent experience. If I ever end up in the city again, I'll be sure to see more sights and hopefully have another shot at Panteon Torino.