This place is great!

Yesterday, my group was able to experience some tradition Korean culture with the spouses of the CEOs and APEC leaders. We went off to Busan Women's College and had a traditional tea cermony. The spouses and us students were able to try on traditional Korean costumes prior to the peaceful tea cermony that took place afterward.One thing I have learned about the Koreans is that they like to take their time with their culture and not rush it all. After the tea cermony, we went to another learning center within the College to experience a traditional Korean wedding ceremony.

The women at the Busan Women's College treated us like almost royalty for the day. When we left our first site, there were people lined down the sidewalk to greet us. But the coolest part of all were the kindergarten students who were playing the drums in costume for us. I can see how Korea is able to produce masterminds of technology because they start the discipline at such an early age. These kids were adorable and gave us a little performance befor the wedding began. It was really interesting to see the traditional Korean wedding practices. The bride never sees the groom until they are off at their honeymoon spot, they do not speak their vows, and instead of slauting the bride with a kiss at the end of the ceremony, the husband gives his new wife a piggyback ride out. We found that to be humorous. Our guide was sure to tell us that Korean's no longer practice arranged marriages, except for those families which are really stubborn.

After the wedding, which the Mayor of Busan's wife attended, we were able to try the different teas. Sooo good! As we stood out in the courtyard area, we were asked to take pictures with the children who performed and then there were the girls of the Women's College. They were so fasinated with the guys from the Mexican delegation as well as the blond hair blue-eyed All-American boy- Chris Schoen. That was pretty funny! After the experience at the college, we went out for yet another traditional Korean meal and then we were able to head to the markets.

At the market we caught up with the spouses again, but in many ways had paparazzi followiing us around. This made it incredibly difficult for some of the spouses to baragin because with cameras around snapping pictures, it was clear that they could pay full prices for those items. As far as fashion, Korea is pretty much like the States. After the market, we took at walk to one of the parks and I finally got up enough courage to speak with two of the spouses that I had sort of admired all day. They were wery, very friendly women and one was actually from Texas.

Meeting people is what I have enjoyed the most. I hung out with some of the Canadian delegation and was able to meet Adriana Lever, one of the 6 women who are apart of the ABAC. Can you believe that 6 out of 63 members are women?! She introduced us to some other people. At the start of dinner, I met one of the contacts I had with the US State department, which was fun. But, the best part of the day for me was when I was able to chat again with one of the CEOs from Citigroup.The one-on-one conversations is what I have enjoyed most here. And was unique about our conversation was that I met Mr. Andrews the first day that we were at the Lotte Hotel and he remembered me. We did talk at the end of the evening about how I was the only African-American at the APEC summit and how interesting that was. Ok...well, Condi is here too, but who really gets to see her. hahah =) Just kidding.

Anyways, this was typed quite fast and I will spell check later I promise. We have another interview in a little bit, so until my next post have a great day!

--Christina Henderson