Do you hear that? It’s the sound of silence. It’s the sound of the end of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Busan, Korea. I am finally finished. Most of the delegates left yesterday, but I’m sticking around Busan today on call in case something happens, and then tomorrow I will return to Seoul. I have to say that my time here was one of the best professional experiences I’ve ever had. It culminated in watching the President of the United States, the First Lady, Secretary of State, and their support staff arrive in a large motorcade and board Air Force One. I have never seen such a spectacular. I feel very privileged to have had such an opportunity to be able to see it and to be involved with such a big event. The day before, I watched Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin arrive in his presidential plane. The contrast between the departure and arrival of the two presidents could not have been more different (the U.S. delegation made an impact on Busan of seismic proportions). All day long I felt as if I were rubbing elbows with the gods as I mingled between delegations. We tailed the Chilean delegation to Haeundae by car (police escorts make it a lot easier to negotiate traffic!), and we followed the Taiwanese (Chinese Taipei) back to the airport again. Now that it’s over, I have some time to sit back and reflect on it all. I didn’t get much sleep during the past week, and I hardly had time to blog, but I know you’ll understand, Dear Reader, that it’s was worth it. Now that I’m heading home, my daily blogging will start again. Signing out from Busan.
Hi Mike, in the midst of your busy schedule, you still find time to keep us informed of the APEC Summit in Busan. I really appreciate your effort. Thanks a lot.Angeline
Yeah Mike! You are very talented and dedicated to blog in the whirlwind of the APEC Summit. As you may have noticed I totally slacked!