Since Jan 8th I was busy with office hand-over, moving&shipping arrangements and saying goodbyes.
For a third time I hand over my position to a local person. I continue with my track record of selecting and training "locals" as successors. In two previous locations the local successions worked well and I am confident this one will be successful too. My successor has been in banking for about 17 years. Has sharp analytical mind. He's straightforward and most importantly has better access to local information than any foreigner. Surprisingly my successor shared with me some of his concerns with respect to taking over RM position. Given that he takes over a position from a woman it is extremely important he (as a man) performs well - if not better. What makes it worse for him is not only that I am a foreigner and a female - I am also single, with no kids and living with a doggie. All these attributes make me an outcast in Korean society. Given my "you cannot get lower" standing in society if he does not perform well, he will be in trouble. I truly wish he succeeds and he can count on my support from Kiev - if he asks for it.
During my last weeks everyone was extremely nice to me in the office. On Jan 28th I had a nice office farewell. Warm - if not entirely true - words were said and I got nice presents. You can see office party photos at http://picasaweb.google.nl/gordie26/Farewell
I had my private farewell on Jan 23rd. Darrell organized it perfectly. It was very nice to have friends around and made them promise to keep in touch and visit me in Kiev soon. For photos of that party go to http://picasaweb.google.nl/gordie26/FarewellParty23Jan08?authkey=K9_jSlBCG1A
There was another party on Saturday night and pics are available on
http://picasaweb.google.nl/gordie26/AboveAndBuddhaS02
Sunday morning I spent with Chaitanya and Chester. I got 50mm lens from Chaitanya as a present and made few nice photos of Chester. The rest of my last Sunday I spent with Ylona. We had a delicious samgepsa for lunch then drove around Bukakhsan. I enjoyed fantastic view from her house.
View's from Ylona's home.
Later in the afternoon we watched Australian Open and cheered for Tsonga. I watched only until 3rd set as I could not bear watching Tsonga losing. I joined Darrel and Johnhwa for a dinner at Sortino's. We had few bottles of wine and many rounds of martini mojitos. We were last guests to leave.
Being with close friends and knowing I leave them behind made me regretful.
However two incidents on Tuesday - first with the rental broker and second at the hotel - made me feel very good about leaving.
On Tuesday evening - my last in Seoul - Andre and Jimmy arranged an Indonesian dinner for my friends (Jill and Saul, Ylona, Jennifer) and me. Jimmy's Indonesian food was fantastic. The only hiccup was I forgot to mention Jennifer is vegetarian so Jimmy had to make an impromptu meal.
During the dinner Korea and Korea related things dominated our discussions. It was Andre versus Jennifer and Gordana team and I think it was a tie. I had great night. We stayed until 2.30 am .
Next morning I packed my suitcases. Decided to take Bongo in the hand luggage. Said goodbyes over phone to Faye, Ylona and Karen and checked out. Got on the bus. Checked in on Inchoen. A girl on the check in counter assigned me the wrong seat. I showed her the email confirming my seat booking made two weeks ago. (I am very particular about my plane seat arrangement.) Then she wanted to check my luggage straight to Kiev although I stay one night in A'dam...
Sunday morning I spent with Chaitanya and Chester. I got 50mm lens from Chaitanya as a present and made few nice photos of Chester. The rest of my last Sunday I spent with Ylona. We had a delicious samgepsa for lunch then drove around Bukakhsan. I enjoyed fantastic view from her house.
View's from Ylona's home.Later in the afternoon we watched Australian Open and cheered for Tsonga. I watched only until 3rd set as I could not bear watching Tsonga losing. I joined Darrel and Johnhwa for a dinner at Sortino's. We had few bottles of wine and many rounds of martini mojitos. We were last guests to leave.
Being with close friends and knowing I leave them behind made me regretful.
However two incidents on Tuesday - first with the rental broker and second at the hotel - made me feel very good about leaving.
On Tuesday evening - my last in Seoul - Andre and Jimmy arranged an Indonesian dinner for my friends (Jill and Saul, Ylona, Jennifer) and me. Jimmy's Indonesian food was fantastic. The only hiccup was I forgot to mention Jennifer is vegetarian so Jimmy had to make an impromptu meal.
During the dinner Korea and Korea related things dominated our discussions. It was Andre versus Jennifer and Gordana team and I think it was a tie. I had great night. We stayed until 2.30 am .
Next morning I packed my suitcases. Decided to take Bongo in the hand luggage. Said goodbyes over phone to Faye, Ylona and Karen and checked out. Got on the bus. Checked in on Inchoen. A girl on the check in counter assigned me the wrong seat. I showed her the email confirming my seat booking made two weeks ago. (I am very particular about my plane seat arrangement.) Then she wanted to check my luggage straight to Kiev although I stay one night in A'dam...
At the immigration counter I happily handed my residence card.
In the lounge someone tapped me on my shoulder. This was - to my enormous surprise -Andre!!! He was going for a business trip too! It was great to spend last minutes in Korea with him. We made plans for visits in Kiev, A'dam and whatever other place.
In the lounge someone tapped me on my shoulder. This was - to my enormous surprise -Andre!!! He was going for a business trip too! It was great to spend last minutes in Korea with him. We made plans for visits in Kiev, A'dam and whatever other place.
During the takeoff I had my mid fingers in the air. The Dutch guy sitting next to me regretted for asking me why and after my passionate "why I hate Korea" monologue remained silent for the rest of 11 hours flight.
Photos of Siberia
Photos of SiberiaBongo and I arrived happily to Amsterdam. And I started the Ukrainian chapter.
