Leaving Asia Behind Tomorrow Morning

What a last day in Bangkok!

With all of the best intentions, I took a taxi over to the Grand Palace for a tour. When I got there some poorly English speaking guys told me the Palace was closed until 1:00 p.m. It was only 11:00 a.m. Bummer! I decided I didn't want to hang around for two hours since I had some shopping I wanted to do. So I hailed a taxi, showed him where I wanted to go on my map of Bangkok, and he nodded and said OK. He first took me to an executive office building at which the securityy guard told him he was wrong and where he needed to go. Next he dropped me off at what I perceived was close to where I wanted to go. I got out and made a left hand turn and walked for two hours trying to extricate myself out of my dilemma. I got lost and really had a hard time finding my way back to the hotel even with my map. I ended up down some ally and thought, "boy have you really screwed up." I put my best scowl on and walked back to the main road. Long story short - I got back. Not much fun. Man there are Russians and Germans all over the place.

After a relaxing lunch, now that I was OK, I went shopping.

That's it - I went shopping.

I'm just about packed and fly out tomorrow morning on a 6:35 a.m. flight.

I want to share with a few last pictures that catch the flavor of Bangkok. As you may know, Thailand is a Buddist country. It has many temples large and small. The one on the corner of a major intersection intrigued me because of the number of people who stop to pray. Notice all the ventures that cater to the needs of the faithful.

There are some other shots of the vendors that are all over the streets. Unfortunately, the camera cannot give you the smells. Oh those smells.

Did I mention dogs? Buddists don't harm life. So the dogs stroll in the streets and lay on the sidewalks with no one giving them a hard time.

Coming Down to the Finish Line Dec. 13th

We are back in Bangkok after spending yesterday in Pattaya, a beach resort city on the Bay of Bangkok in the Gulf of Siam on the northern edge of the China Sea . We were the guests of Suarachai Tangiaitrong, Bank's dad. We toured and ate at the Silver Lake Winery and stayed the evening at the Ravindra Beach Resort and Spa. A good time was had by all. The Silver Lake Winery is a wonderful place to visit and I can see why so many people stop to see it.

But before I go on, we left Taipei on Friday, Dec. 11th. The Taipei airport was packed. Lines everywhere. We managed to get to the ticket counter of EVA Air (never heard of them - they are similiar to Air Tran in US). We had a very nice ticket agent that for some reason upgraded us to business class. That was a real blessing. The flight from Taipei to Bangkok is just under four hours. The number of Chinese travelling is overwhelming. You will enjoy this: they have a security system that looks just like ours, but that's where the similarity ends. They don't make you take your shoes off or take your computers out off your luggage. It is very loose. Hard to believe> I guess there really isn't any reason to worry. Screw around and the Chinese will get you. That would make most careful.

Landing and getting out of the Bangkok airport was a real hassle. So many people. So many long lines at customs. Surachai and Dennis Dila, Surachai's right hand man, met us at the airport. Dennis recognized us by the Brewster baseball cap I was wearing. Lots of jovial banter exchanged before we pulled out for the city.

We had some time to get settled into our hotel, the Grand Centre Point, right in the center of the city. This hotel is top shelf and yet the cheapest to stay in on our entire trip. We dined at the Reflexions Restaurant, got acquainted, and talked about Thiland and other matters. It was agreed we would all go to Pattaya the next day to visit the winery and the city.

What caught my attention was the amount of security at all the hotels in town. Everyone of them have very visible security guards checking every car that comes into the entry ways. Not a big deal, but a reminder of what is possible here in a country near Indonesia.

Great time in Pattaya and at the Winery. After dinner, we headed into the city for a walk down the Walking Street where there was a large number of girlie shows and so many bars. The number of Thai girls willing to hookup was truly amazing. There were so many Russian guys in the town. All of them very willing to find a girl. Surachai new a special place, The Blues Factory, were the music was top notch. The three of us enjoyed taking it all in - the music and the maturations of the night.

A night of sleep and a lazy lunch at the side of the gulf was the order of the next day before we drove back to Bangkok. Surachai suggested a Thi food dinner at 7:30. Offer taken.

With me leaving in a two days, we squeezed some shopping in before dinner. You cannot believe the food and merchandise kiosks on the sidewalks in town. So many food smells I've never experienced before and the things for sale are amazing. All these people trying to make a living. We are so lucky in the U.S.

Dinner was great! It was my first real Thi food experience. This was a seafood treat. Prawns, crab, grouper, soup, and rice. All served with varying types of sauce that had a kick to them that was seducing. The all tasted wonderful when you first put them in your mouth, but it wasn't long before the fire snuck into your taste buds and you had to find some cold white wine to help cool down the fire. I loved it. They deep fried the grouper and then you just pulled the meat right off the fish. See the photo of the fish after we nailed it (Sorry about the ugly photo - it didn't look as good as I had hoped in the end result - but I did not know how to delete it). Love Thi food.

After dinner we all went off to catch the closing ceremonies of the King's birthday. While driving over to the festivitiesw, we got pulled over by the police for not wearing seatbelts. Surachai's driver told them to give him a picket, but the wanted to negotiate. To keep them happy, we gave them 100 Bart ($3.00) to let us go. This celebrating his birthday has gone on for more than a week. There were fireworks right over head, that was a little scary. Lots of vendors and people. And the lights, oh so many lights. The King's Palace lighted at night was spectacular. We were lucky to be in Bangkok at this time of the year to catch this amazing celebration.

I Took A Bullet For The Team!

Let's see, it has been a few days since I put up a post.


We are now in Bangkok, Thailand. It is Saturday morning, the 12th of December. We flew in yesterday from Taipei after five adventurous days in Taiwan. You cannot believe how Rayleen and I have run from one gathering to another, had to catch a train or a plane at some early hour, stood on security checkpoint lines, immigration and passport checkpoint lines, or been "entertained" by someone all day or late into the evening. Let's not forget the tours our hosts have been so gracious to give us. And in most cases, we have received gifts from practically everyone we have met. We have a significant amount of Taiwanese tea (excellent taste). I've even got a little stash of 60-year old tea (I might let you try it - it's like aged scotch - so smooth).


Let me say here that none of what I say on these blog pages in anyway should be interpreted as me complaining. The parents of our students and alumni are all wonderful people, well meaning, and wonderful hosts. They will do anything, and I mean anything to make us comfortable. It is almost like we are gods. If you look at anything on a tour that is for sale, they will buy it for you. They all love what we are doing for their sons and daughters at Brewster. All my comments are to commentate on what I am personally experiencing. I'm actually laughing at myself and how provincial I am in so many ways. The big American who has not been out of the United States (not counting Canada and Mexico) for nearly 40-years. This trip has been a real eye opener for me.



Where was I? Oh, yes, I have ate every kind of food you can imagine. And that's not counting all the stuff that they call food that I just cannot see any benefit to eating. For one thing, I wouldn't be able to get it down my throat. Look, in Asia, if it lives in the water, swims, crawls, or floats, they will eat it. I've been a real trooper and taken a bullet (more than one) for the team. I've worked every hard at being a good guest. Last night it was caviar. Now I know this is a very expensive delicacy, but eating little orange fish eggs is not my idea of an appetizer. Let's not forget the foie gras (goose liver) I ate yesterday for lunch. Try that for laughs. I've eaten a fair amount of uncooked fish now that it is no longer a big deal. When I get back, I'm going to suggest my office team all order out for Susi.


The buffet breakfast has caught on worldwide. Each entree is identified with a sign, e.g, "pork sausage." The only problem is that no matter what the sign says it doesn't look like any pork sausage I've ever seen. There are many examples of this. So my advice is not to get too excited by what you read on a card or menu. Nine out of ten, it will not taste like what you thought it would. Look I understand, the pallets of Asians are different than ours. They eat their food with the same level of enthusiasm just like we do. I watch them. Their eyes focus and their mouths water as the next order of some unidentifyable food comes out just as if it was the Olive Garden. I respect this. I just can't share their level of anticipation.

Enough about food. But the reality of it is that no matter where you are in the world food is the focal point of life. It just comes in so many forms, colors, shapes, tastes, and smells. Oh, those food smells. I've never smelled so many smells I've never smelled before.

You know what's funny. I've not seen that many westerners in my travels in these countries. You would think that when you make eye contact with one there would be some sign of recognition since we are really in the minority - something like a nod or smile - I'm not asking for anything like conversation or a hug. Nothing. It's like not cool to acknowledge that we see each other. It's like, what's the big deal - I'm cool.

By the way, the photo nearby is of me with Kenneth Liao, David Liao's dad, and Ming Lou Tsai, Gary Tsai's dad, outside Mr. Liao's restuarant.


Speaking of trains and planes, Rayleen, our consultant and by now friend, Annie Wang, and I, took the Bullet train down to Kaohsiung City the hometown of one of our recent grads, Dexter Lin and two of our present students Po-Wei and Anthony Lin. Not bad hurtling down the countryside in a fast moving train. Until this trip, I had never heard of Kaohsiung. It is the second largest city in Taiwan with some 2.3 million people. It has a significant harbor and is right on the southwest corner of the country. Almost as far south as Taipei is north. Due to the graciousness of our host, Hsiu-Lin Cho, "Shelly," mother of Anthony and Po-Wei Lin, we got a tour of the I-Shou International School (K thru 12). That's us at I-Shou School in the first photograph up top with Hsiu-Lin and some of the administrators of the school. I-Shou is part of a planned community. Not any planned community. This one includes a university, a five-star hotel, a huge shopping mall, restaurants, recreation section, apartments, and condominiums. Folks, they are not fooling around down there in Kaohsiung. This complex is one very ambitious project that you just don't see being built in the US any more. Our Kaohsiung visit included a tour of the old British Embassy, abandoned by the British upon the arrival of the Japanese prior to WWI, a ferry trip across the harbor, and the sight of a beautiful sunset. The evening ended with a tour of the Love River where the boats have colorful lights on them as does many of the shoreline sights. But, let's not forget dinner just before the boat ride hosted by the Lin boys dad, Wen-Shih Lin at the Palace Club in the Splendor Hotel. More shark fin soup, boiled chicken, and other Chinese courses that I was not able to appreciate the way my hosts did.


The next morning, we flew back to Taipei on the Bullet train where we rushed over to have lunch with the Liaos, Tsais, Annie Wang, Rayleen, and myself. Kenneth Laio had insisted that we not leave Taipei without allowing him to buy lunch at his Sunlit Teppanyaki Restaurant. Another great meal and another great time with some special people. It was here that the foie gras showed up.


After lunch, the Tsais insisted they give us a tour. They also wanted to help me shop for a suitcase. With everything we have received, my present complement of baggage was not going to get me home let alone to Bangkok. I got one of those large, you must check-in, suitcases that rolls along on four-wheels. I spotted them in the airport on our way here and thought that was a cool way to go. So what do the Tsais do? They buy me the suitcase. Not only that, I've probably mentioned I've caught a cold on the trip. In doing so, I've kind of lost my voice. Knowing this, or hearing it, Ming Lu Tsai and his wife, Li-Chu Li, now both known as Romeo and Juliet, insist on taking me to their doctor, who also is their son, Gary's, godfather. Dr. Pan has a medical degree from Yale. Off we go to Dr. Pan's office. Rayleen Davis, Annie Wang, and Romeo and Juliet are all in the examining room with me. It turned out just fine. Nobody got embarrassed and it was confirmed that I had nothing more than a common cold. TG.


Dinner followed, hosted by Shelly Lee, Austim's mom, at a very nice Italian restaurant. It was lots of fun and a nice last meal in Taipei before leaving the next morning. We had an alum join us - Winnie Lin '05. She did her undergrad at Indiana University and is now a research assistant in the International Business Division of SinoPac Securities.


The next morning it was off to Bangkok. I'll fill you in later, but right now, Rayleen and I are off to a beach and then a winery. Pattaya is our next stop. That's Mr. Survit Hassavayukul (Wund and Garn's dad) with Rayleen and me after a lovely French dinner.

Shark Fin Soup and More - Dec 8th

Tuesday, yesterday, started off nice and calm. Rayleen and I grabbed some breakfast at another Starbucks across the street from the hotel. They were serving Christmas Blend as the coffee of the day. Here is a real issue I'm having, you cannot get artificial sweetener for your coffee. So, if you ever travel this way, bring your Splenda, Nutra Sweet, or the pink envelope (can't think of its name, its been so long since I last saw it). Oh, yes, Sweet and Low. Rayleen didn't have an interview until later, so we took a walk around the streets of Taipei. We veered off down a few side streets and got a look at some really interesting shops of all kinds. Some of the pictures here show the way they display their food for sale. Some of it is so foreign to western palates, you'd have to be starving before you ate it.

Did I tell you the motor scooter rules here. I've included a number of photos. They line up and patiently wait for the traffic light to change and then their off like a standing still start at some dragster racing track. When you come to an intersection. You wait for the crossing light to tell you when its OK to walk. Once you get the OK to go, they have a countdown on a display screen that shows you how many seconds you have left to cross the street. They (walkers and drivers) are all respect full of the intersection protocol, but once the light changes, all bets are off. I don't know how these scooter people don't get killed. They drive so fast and are so quick that they actually bob and weave without any fear of getting hit. One last biker story, I'm walking back to the hotel. There is a herd of these scooters and riders waiting for the next light to change so can charge down the street, when off pops this young women from the back of her boyfriend's scooter (I assume it was a boy and girl thing) and she is not happy. She takes off her helmet and dumps it in his lap and starts walking away. I didn't stay to see the outcome, but it was the first sight of public anger display on this trip.

Rayleen suggested I visit the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall while she needed to take care of some admissions issues. Besides, she has seen it a good number of times already on past trips. So after blogging and catching up on my own preparations for the dinner tonight, I exchanged $20 of US for $637 of Taiwan dollars at the hotel reception desk, checked with the doorman as to the location of the subway, the number of stops to the Memorial Hall, and started off on my trip. Down the steps, and I mean down, down, into the underground I went. I went over to the fare collector booth and told the guy where I wanted to go. $20 for the first leg of the trip. I got my plastic token, but could not figure out how to get it into the turnstile. They had to come out of the booth (three of them) to help me figure it out. One thing these people don't do is stare at you even if you are a tall (now I'm just six feet, but I can see over crowds here in Taiwan)westerner with a baseball cap on (not many people wear them here - scooter helmets, yes, but baseball caps, no) that has no idea what he is doing. By the way, there are nearly no westerners on the subway. Once I got in, I was good to go until I had to change trains. I spotted an American looking student and he directed me to my next train. The subways are bright and clean. There are signs all over the place, but still if you are not sure of which way you are going, it can be a little confusing. Another observation: they have these automatic barriers that extend the whole length of the platform that remain closed until the train arrives and the doors open. It makes it tough to fall or be pushed onto the tracks. You'd have to climb up and over the barrier to get on the tracks. What a great idea! Even the subway cars are bright and clean. Their subway system is extensive and a pleasure to ride.

The arrival at Chaing Kai-shek Memorial Hall was more than I could ever have expected. The photos here don't do it justice. The Hall sits at one end of a huge square with the National Theatre and Concert Halls at the other end. I asked some people to take my picture in front of the buildings. I also climbed up the steps to get a closer look at the Memorial and caught the guard changing. It is awesome, but different. It is Lincoln Memorial like in grandeur. Very impressive.

I walked back to the hotel instead of using a cab or the subway and found it a bit longer than I thought. A good walk and a chance to get some exercise. I rushed up to my room, jumped into the shower and then into a cab to head over to our big event at the Ji Pin Restaurant. First Rayleen met with the parents to inform them on their child's performance at Brewster. Then we all had dinner together at one large table. I guess it is customary to have a group all sit at one circular table with a big lazy susan in the center upon which the wait staff place a number of appetizers. You just reach out and twirl the lazy susan until the appetizer of choice is in front of you. Now, I'm looking at them as they go whirling by and am very contented to put just one pork (at least I was told it wa pork) pastry appetizer on my plate and leave it at that. I had no idea what some of the appetizers were and just kept quiet while our parents were very cheerful and having a great time. They loved the food. I ran out of my cover when they started serving individual selections. The whole idea of eating Shark Fin soup was really tough. I'm sitting next to Shelly Lee and she is watching me carefully and suggests I add some vinegar to the soup. Whatever. Have at it. Well, to my surprise it wasn't that bad. Neither was the duck, nor the sweet back bean soup served for desert. There are so many courses served. They serve small portions, but a lot of them.

We had so many families there plus two alumni families that were right into the evening with everyone else. It was one BIG happy family. I've never been toasted or toasted others so much in my life. The red wine was flowing and no one seemed to not drink it. I got a chance to share our story on how we depend on our families and alumni to help offset the shortfall in our operating budget that is not covered by tuition (I didn't actually use these exact words). Another aside, we had some of our presentation translated into Taiwanese before we left. Some of the people in the room were impressed that we took the time to do that. I gave each family a blue folder with the proposal in it. Rayleen showed the visual presentation that included a good number of our Taiwanese students in it. A good night was had and we walked back to the hotel on a very lovely and comfortable evening. NO SNOW HERE! All the kids have shared the snow in Wofeboro story with their parents who in turn shared it with us.

A big thank you to Annie Wang who set the evening up. She is one of our educational consutants and she is great.

In closing, I just cant' get over how different things are here in Asia. It is a totally different approach to life than ours. As human beings, we do so much the same way: marry, work, eat, buy things, wear clothing, etc. It is the how and what that are so different.

Unbelievable Gastronomic Experience Dec. 7th

On the flight down to Taiwan earlier in the day, Rayleen Davis, Brewster's director of the ESL and international students programs, recommended we not eat lunch because we were going to dinner that night with Brewster parents Ming-Lu Tsai and Li-Chu Lin at the Sunlit Teppanyaki Restaurant. For those that don't know, this is a Japanese Restaurant where the chef prepares your food right in front of you. Not having dined at a restaurant of this type, I had no idea what expect. So, off we go, along with Annie Wang, a Taiwanese educational consultant that Brewster has worked with for a number of years. Well, what an visual and dining experience. It was one of the most delicious gourmet dining experiences ever for me. While there, I found out the restaurant is owned by alumni parents Kenneth and Connie Lai Liao. They are unbelievably friendly people. It was a wonderful evening that went on well into the night. Kenneth even drove us back to our hotel the San Want. Here are a few photos of the evening. Included is a photo of me with Kenneth and Connie; One of Rayleen and me with our chef; and another of one of the many dishes we were pleased to taste.

Out of Korea and Into Taiwan Dec. 8th

The last time I wrote we were dining with the parents and their families as part of our meeting with Brewster's Korean Parent Association.

The next day, we were the beneficiaries of a Korean lunch at the Yongsusan Restaurant on the north side of Seoul. Now there were a number of items that were a little difficult for me to handle, but the beer really helped. Jelly fish, fish eggs, and a few other items were most troubling, but conversely, some of the food I thought I'd have difficulty with turned out tasting very good. And, it was another chance to eat with the chopsticks. After lunch, our tour guides, Korean parent Eun Jung Shim and her livelong, English speaking, friend, Laura Lin took us to the Gyeongbokgung (Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven) for a tour. The pictures shown here are of our hosts Eun Joung and Laura; the Palace; me with our Palace tour guide; Eun Joung Shim with Rayleen and me in front of the National Museum of Art (?); and me drinking coffee at Starbucks in the Namdaemun Market with Laura. Man it was bone numbing cold that day.

We have so many wonderful friends in Korea. It was a joy to meet them. Our Korean parents make tremendous sacrifices to send their children to Brewster for the purpose of preparing them to be successful in life.

The next morning we headed for the airport for our flight to Taipei. China Airlines was the airlines and small were the aisles and seats. I'm not sure our head of school would have been fit in the seat I was in. The plane was packed and a can opener was needed to get me out of the seat upon our arrival. So many people fly back and forth from Taiwan and Seoul. Thanks to Annie Wang, a driver picked us up and whisked us to our hotel in central Taipei.

December 5 - Saturday Snow!

Today brought with it sushi. Raw fish for those of you not familiar with the Japanese style of eating. Yes, today I tried, successfully, to eat raw fish. I also got to seriously use chopsticks for the first time. And if you ask Raylene Davis, I did better than expected. The photo shows the proof. I actually moved some big pieces of fish with those two sticks. This was all brought about by Moon Hee Kim, mom of Jee Eun Choi '10 and Young Eun Choi '08, taking Raylene and I to lunch today. She also gave us a whirl wind tour of the whole city.

Folks, Seoul is big! No fooling. It has more people, 15 million, living in it than the number that live in New York City. There is a sense of controlled madness about it that makes it very interesting. Again, so much traffic. We ate lunch on the south side of the Han River. The whole south side is the now spot. Huge buildings and streets that would rival Park Avenue in New York City. The whole south side has been developed since about 1980. It is very hard to believe your eyes.

After our tour, we were back at the Grand Ambassador Hotel for our meetings and dinner with Brewster's Korean Parents Association. The photo on the left is of the whole gathering at dinner in the hotel. Coincidentally, this being Saturday, there was a Korean wedding in the hotel. I never saw so many flowers and the parents and wedding couple dressed in traditional Korean garb. Absolutely beautiful and different to our tradition in the west. From all signs, Brewster's evening went well as I am sure so did the wedding.

Well, it snowed today while the sun was shining. It was also about 42 degrees while I'm told it was in the sixties Friday in New Hampshire. Go figure.

Day Two

After being up most of the early a.m., I got additional shuteye for about two more hours waking at 8:30 a.m. I think I'm now oriented (no pun intended) to this time zone.


Well, it is the middle of the day here tomorrow, and 10:00 p.m. yesterday in the eastern part of the U.S. Or, it is Friday, December 4th here and Thursday, December 3rd back where you all are. This is the last day of the work week and you have one more day. Got it? Neither do I. Daylight doesn't show up here until about 7:15 a.m. And when it does, you're not sure if that's morning fog or smog. By noon, you realize it is smog.


There are so many cars and so much traffic. And when there are not that many cars on the road, they drive like maniacs. I guess to try and catch up for the time they lost waiting in traffic earlier. Or it's just too much of a temptation - the open road just makes you want to put the leather on the metal.

This hotel is very westernized. It has done a very good job of mixing the east and west, but they really are trying to appeal to the internationals. The buffet restaurant had all a westerner would want. It's just done in a Korean way. The food is very good.


The service is outstanding and the place is spotless. They are very attentive at the door, in the restaurant, etc. and they are very neat. It makes you want to fold your towels after you use them and take off your shoes when you enter your room. They even give you slippers is you want to do exactly that.

Today, I needed some photocopies. $3 per per page for a color copy.



Here is a new idea - you know when you take a shower and the mirrors all fog up? Not here. Oh, most of the mirror fogs, but the spot that is immediately over the sink does not. Can't seem to figure how they do that.


When you enter your room, you slide your entry card into a slot and all the lights go on in your room even the TV. When you leave, pull the card and all the lights and the TV go off.


They use every bit of space they have. They build straight up - as high as possible. Some of the residential buildings are not very large as to square footage to each floor, but the buildings go way up and are topped off with a green spot either real or synthetic.

Tonight we had dinner with the parents of Yong Min Lee, a junior. His father, Tae Sung Lee, is vice president for Samsung Digital Printing Division. His mother, Mee Young Ham, is a middle school teacher. We had an Italian dinner in Seoul. Very nice. I even ate calamari. The picture here was taken at the restaurant after a good meal.

Great Start to Trip

Not such a tough trip after all. We left Logan Airport in Boston pretty much on time at about 8:30 a.m. Full flight, lots of babies, all headed for San Francisco.

Landed in San Francisco on time after a six hour plus flight.

Headed over to the international departures building. A good walk and me with both pull suitcases checked in and now I'm carrying two bags loaded down with folders, mags, cameras, a computer, etc. What was I thinking?

Just a quick thought: I've been travelling for a good number of years now. Awhile back, while waiting for a flight, a guy came walking in front of me with a suitcase on wheels. What is this? I'd never be caught using one of those things. My how times change and now these suitcases on wheels are indispensable.

We left San Francisco right on time at about 1:30 p.m. pacific coast time, 4:30 p.m. east coast time. It was a 12 hour flight. Twelve hours in a plane with no stops to break the trip up. Luckily, we had a very smooth flight with comfortable seats and a few other amenities that made the trip tolerable. We arrived early at about 6:30 p.m. Seoul time, 4:30 a.m. east cost time. Let's not even talk about what day it is.

I had downloaded a couple of movies on to my ITouch. Not bad watching a movie on such a small screen.

Customs at Incheon International Airport was very pleasant as was retrieving our bags. They were actually waiting for us at baggage claims. We each grabbed one of those luggage wheelers (they were free, unlike in the U.S.) you see in our pictures taken outside the terminal and made our way out to the lobby where we were met by one of our students' cousins, Sungwoo Chung, who spoke perfect English, having studied in the U.S. at Cal Berkeley for a year.

It was just over an hour's ride into Seoul. I must say, Incheon International Airport was spotless, modern, and a pleasurable experience. Even the roads into Seoul were very clean, well lighted, and marked. It was only when you got into Seoul proper that it started to resemble other big cities with lots of people, cars, scooters, and trash. They seem to have a habit of parking their cars on the sidewalks. Yes, McDonalds, and Starbucks are here.

We are staying at the Grand Ambassador Hotel in Seoul on the south side of the Hangang River. We arrived about 7:30 p.m. Seoul time. The rooms are very nice and much like you would find in the U.S.

So we are poised for tomorrow.

I had trouble sleeping, so I got up and put this blog together.

As I said before I left when asked if I was nervous, it's like standing at the top of the road you must travel that you never travelled before. You won't know what's down that road unless you travel it. That said, the road was pretty clear up to this point.

Some thoughts: It cost $2 per minute to call home on your cell phone. So email it will be and by tomorrow I should have a Skype # set up.

There is no Internet in the air. So you have no access to gmail, google docs, or Blackbaud. So it is a good idea to turn any docs you need into Word docs so you can access them during a trip. There's no access to electric power on the plane. It is just like a car. You need to have a cigarette lighter plug to power up. They wanted $115 for one on the plane. So it wasn't too long before we were running our batteries down.

We flew a United Airlines, Boeing 777, across to Seoul from San Francisco. The whole interior of the plane is set up differently then those used domestically. There are four sections: First Class, Business Class, Economy Plus, and Economy. Those flying economy should get combat pay for doing so. Now it is not as bad as what some of our ancestors suffered during their trips across the Atlantic back in the 1800s, but 12 hours of sitting and trying to sleep in those tiny seats. At least our ancestors could stretch all the way out in their crowed bunks.

It was about 18 hours of flying. We chased the daylight all away across reaching sunset at about 3:00 a.m. NY time.

Nice couple next to me. Somewhat older than even me that were flying to Hanoi to join up for a tour of southeast Asia. He had an oxygen tank with him. The question, is he adventuresome or stupid?

Finally, we back home do not realize the influence we have had on the rest of the world. Seoul, altough Korean, is also very western. Whether it is a Filipino rock group singing Beatles songs in Seoul or us being able to drink a glass of wine that was bottled in Argentina, this big world is growing smaller with so many people mostly all wanting the same thing: a better life for themselves and their families.

Gamsa-hamnida (Thank you).

Good night to you and good morning to me.

.