Today's schedule was supposed to be succinct. First, around 12:30pm at the hotel there is a farewell luncheon which will be followed by the sheik's visitation to Nam June Paik Art Center.
In the morning, I donned a suit and headed to the gym for a quick workout. Fortunately, in spite of the crazy schedule and working outside, I have managed to work out everyday mainly due to the fact that the gym is literally right next to the gym just like my home. I don't like skipping the gym. Yes, I am a gym rat.
The luncheon was very poorly organized. In the first place, the venue was the outside terrace where the sun was beating down upon everyone. And they all were perspiring like a pig. The place was well decorated with a small fountain and spacious. But you just don't put a gala or any kind of food-related event outside unless it is seamlessly prepared. But this one wasn't. The servers kept running inside and outside grabbing fans to stifle the heat, parasols to cover the sun beating down on the sheik and other vips. Even the UAE guys were complaining. I felt embarrassed a bit. That was probably the longest 2 hours past couple days.
After the luncheon, everyone was ready to go to the art center. In the same van, with the media crew, I headed out. Again, the motorcade ushered the sheik and his subordinates to the art center. And this is how it went. How awesome-
Then, the media crew wanted to go to the same traditional market that the Dutch consultant visited. The reporter bought a whole lot of some anime character toys for his three boys. Also, he and the cameraman purchased a couple of pieces of ceramics. They liked to haggle, but the owner was persistent. After an hour, we all came back to the hotel. It was around 7pm and I was exhausted. I called it a day, came home, jumped in a shower, had some food and watch my favorite tv show. That's more I like it. But, I was told that I needed to send to the sheik tomorrow morning at Incheon Airport. Sigh.. gotta get up 7 on a Sunday morning. Grrr
Sunday Sep 18th
Getting up 6:40 am on a Sunday morning is no fun. But I had to. So, I got up, jumped in my suit and headed to the hotel. The sheik and some of his minions were ready to leave for China. So, after a little bit of hustle and bustle we all headed to the Incheon Airport.
However, this time it was different. I was in the motorcade. And this was very surreal and awesome. Grant it, it was early Sunday morning, ergo no traffic to beat. Still wherever we go the police would give us the green lights so that we can just pass through. And the cars on the highway all steered clear of the motorcade. VERY VERY AWESOME.
But, it was very stupid of me not to bring my camera with me when I left home. SIGH...so no footage or pics...
Anyhow, the motorcade parked at the vip lot. And the sheik passed through directly to the gate. The airport took care of it. No security or whatsoever. And this was where I said goodbyes to the media crew. Afterwards, I came back to the hotel, hopped on my bicycle and came home. For the remaining of Sunday, I was off. One more day tomorrow. But it is supposed to be casual; sightseeing in Seoul then again to the airport to see off the performance team.
Monday Sep 19th
It has been almost 10 days since my last appearance at the office, so it was a bit awkward to see my colleagues and say hello. But I had no time to feel it any long because I needed to go to the hotel and get ready to head up to Seoul. The guys showed up and everyone was ready to leave. But this time, I drove a company SUV whilst the rest was in a bus..
Well, the plan was, there was a well-known calligrapher tagging alone the whole time. He went wherever the sheik did and did some calligraphy for the local. At the museum, at the university, locals would hand out their names in English, then the calligrapher would write them in Arabic in a nice piece of paper. It was nice.
Oh yes, the plan was, the calligrapher had an interview with this producer at KBS in the afternoon. So whilst the performance team and the calligrapher were touring in Seoul, I would be standing by near them. When it is around 1pm, I pick him up and take him to KBS, then bring him back to Seoul so that we can join the gang and continue the sightseeing
So I managed to drive up to Seoul, but there was no where to park the car. Well, there were many places, but they were all expensive. And this company would not reimburse the parking fare. This is why I miss my old job to which I am going back at the end of this year. So, I literally was hovering around Seoul. Then, it was around lunch time so I parked near a Lotteria, rushed to the place, placed a to-go food, grabbed it, went to pee (which I have been holding a while) and jumped back in the car. phew.. While driving in Seoul, I was eating. It was precarious.
Finally, I picked up the guy and drove to KBS. After jumping through some hoops, I met with the producer and her colleagues. I thought the offices at KBS would be all neat and nice. But they weren't. No cubicles.. no fancy computers and what not. I felt bad for them to some degree. Anyhow, I accompanied them and went into a radio booth for the recording. It was a very interesting experience.
Afterwards, the calligrapher was hungry and so we went to this sandwich place near KBS. He was kind enough to buy me some sandwiches. And we stared to have a very interesting conversation over many issues e.g. parenting, the us and Koreans.. It was possible because a) he is a very smart person and b) he was trained in Harvard before and thus speaks excellent English. I would never forget the conversation he and I had that day.
Finally, I took him back to Seoul for sightseeing. There again, he and I walked around different places and engaged in a conversation. In spite of the cultural difference, the age different (he was almost 50 with 2 kids), we became friends.
And it was time to go to Incheon Airport. It took a while for the gang to process their luggage. I don't know exactly what occurred. It was already past 8pm and I was so ready to go back to Suwon and get some rest. I have been driving all day.
Then, there was a window of 10 mins before they passed the security point. So, I asked the calligrapher to write my name in calligraphy. He was kind enough to do it and this is how my name is written and the footage where he was doing it:)
Now, it was time to say good bye. While they were queuing up, I shook everyone's hands and said good bye. It was a heck of a ride the past 5 days. I met great people and learned a lot. This is probably the best memory I will have during my time this year. Inshallah!!!
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