If you would have asked me a year ago if I thought I would be back at an APEC meeting before, I don't know, say 2020, I would have laughed you out of the room. I spent around four years working on APEC for the US government - including 2011 when we hosted the year-long series of epic meetings, which was one of the most stressful, pressure-filled and emotional years of my life. But there were also incredibly rewarding aspects. Everyone working on the US APEC team that year shares a special bond of traumatized accomplishment - yes, we were under tremendous pressure and there was never enough time, but we were in it together. Which is why it was so awesome to see these smiling faces last week in Manila: APEC has always been special because of the people who you meet and work with along the way. That is the part I miss about my previous job. But this is a small world, and an even smaller community of people who work in this field - I'm sure this won't be our last reunion.
On top of the actual work-related meetings, and in spite of the typhoon - which had melted into a tropcial storm by the time it reached Manila - I got out a bit on a mini-tour to explore the city. This was my first trip to the Philippines, and I have to say that the aspect that was most impressive was the people - Filipinos are seriously friendly people. I didn't take many pictures, but here are a few from my outings and the meetings:
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorBecause why not get married and move to Paris to really kick off your thirties? Archives
December 2016
|