Let's face it; it IS a *great* wall and certainly lived up to expectations.  The Forbidden City was fantastic, too, but the weather was extremely hot. Everyone was back by 5:30 and then used an hour to shower.

The Alumni Event should have been routine, but during dinner the power went out due to a huge wind / rainstorm.  The restaurant tried to use their battery, handheld devices for credit card processing but they couldn't get them to work.  One of our alums, myself & one of the restaurant staff hiked literally a mile in the rain to find an ATM but I couldn't get my Bank of America card to work. (I didn't expect to need cash so didn't have my Citibank card with me).  It was POURING, wind driven cold rain and we're both soaked through and through. We eventually figured out payment, with lots of laughs along the way and the alumni took the students out to a 2nd venue.

Free morning tomorrow for last minute sightseeing / shopping, and off to Boston tomorrow afternoon.   

Pictures below posted with permission.

We wrapped up our business in Beijing and on IME.  COSL in the morning, followed by a grand lunch and CZLD in the afternoon. 2 students went to International Consulting Dinner for another BC program I run. Sightseeing tomorrow, and home on Sunday!

IME couldn't have had a more cool day, despite the heat wave.

We began with a visit to Beijing United Hospital / Chindex, which imports medical equipment and runs several for profit hospitals.

Lunch was at a local restaurant-- exactly as planned-- and we are like kings and queens for $11.

Next stop was Microsoft China to hear how they work with headquarters in Washington state.

We ended the day at China's best university, Peking, to compare cultural notes and share a buffet dinner with full time and evening MBAs in their program. Forbes just named their full time program #1 and their part time program #2, throughout China.

2 final visits tomorrow and sightseeing on Saturday. Home Sunday!

We've arrived safely but it's a major heat wave. Should be high 90;s tomorrow. More to follow.  Greg

Many thanks to the US Army, Air Force, Navy, UNCMAC (United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission) and the ROK (Republic of Korea) for their gracious hosting of our team at the DMZ.  Perhaps the most gratifying part of the day, however, was eating with the soldiers in the Mess Hall. Larry and I paid for several of them, to thank them for their service to the US and for protecting democracy.  

We're at the Seoul airport, waiting for our flight to Beijing-- the final leg of the 2014 trip.  5 company visits, and a visit to the Great Wall & Forbidden City. Hope the Beijing heat wave isn't too oppressive.

All pictures reprinted with permission. 

Our good fortune continues here in Asia. One of our partners offered us a wonderful presentation, Q&A, office tour & then a wonderful 11-course lunch.  We couldn't believe it.  We wish them continued success and look forward to returning the favor. (I forgot to ask them for clearance to use their name, and so I'll not disclose it here, erring on the side of caution).

Free time this afternoon & the DMZ tomorrow.

Greg

Many thanks to our small army of people on the ground in Seoul-- and there's *no* exaggeration here-- who pulled off the largest alumni event gathering in my long history of leading these trips.  Including our trip participants, over 70 people attended, including current students.  The group was also a nice cross section of BC's many colleges and programs.  What a great night to be an Eagle.  Please check out the exciting pictures below.

All photos posted with permission.

We've been extremely lucky this year with the hospitality we've received.

When we arrived at Coca Cola South Korea they presented us with a small gift-- bottles of Coca Cola with each student's individual (first) name on the label. We were floored, and truly honored.  Fascinating presentation about how Coca Cola is marketed locally, and how South Korea is uniquely shining throughout the worldwide network. The President of the entire operation even stopped by for Q&A.

Our second stop-- equally as interesting-- was given by alumnus Terry Lee, who's a Managing Director on the investment banking side at Citibank. He spent the majority of time fielding Q&A on how the Korean market is unique amongst the Asia Pacific offices, what drove him to return to Korea and what challenges lie ahead. Remarkably, he was in the midst of a pressing business engagement and still managed to fit us in.

Tonight our alumni have planned a large fête in the students' honor-- likely the largest of our 3 alumni events here.

Pictures below posted with both companies' permission. 

We are all here. It's 30 degrees cooler than Vietnam but still pouring rain. Everyone tired from the 5 hour flight but excited!

Greg

We accomplished a ton within 8 hours-- 1) visited the Cu Chi Tunnels, 2) had lunch along the Saigon River, 3) visited the old presidential palace, 4) the war remnants museum and 5) did some shopping at the markets. Very hot, however, with temperatures around 100, and lots of humidity.

Last night here is tonight, and off to Seoul tomorrow.