Memories in Qingdao 3

Flying to China alone was a big challenge since this was only my second experience going overseas. I was told by the IP office in the Philippines that there were two representatives that will represent the Philippines in the Seminar on Intellectual Property System and Protection in Qingdao China. However, when I arrived at Qingdao Airport, I was told by Mr. You Liming that, "There is no one else from your country." Aghast! What! One month in China, alone!
My mind was blowing like a dynamo after learning the latest news but eventually I placed my fate to the plans of God.

Luckily enough, you know, making friends in the seminar was very very easy after all. Everyone was so friendly and amiable and before I knew it, I had more acquaintances than the population of China (okay I'm exaggerating!) We were 66 participants in all from 44 countries. Mr. Aliyu, Class representative, told it correctly that we are like a small United Nations.

Among the participants in the seminar, the only person who approached me on the first day was this lady whose picture appears below. After the opening ceremonies, she walked over and told me that she knew someone from the Philippines with the same first name. I learned that she is Tassanai Lerksantivong working at the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand.

This is her house (joke!).

Tassanai said that we can call her Ped, because she is aware of how long her name is. Tassanai is the biggest fan of dogs in the world! You can look at her camera and I bet you she has more pictures of dogs here in China than people. She is very nice but one thing that she really does not like is arranging her baggage, hehe. Too bad, we had to arrange our baggage almost everyday because of hotel-hopping. Yes, you heard it right people. We were hotel-hopping from one city to another. We all volunteered to help Tassanai in putting all the treasures of gifts she bought in Jimo (right spelling?) inside her baggage.

What made this trip especially great for Tassanai is that her father has relatives here in China. Quite often, she has been mistaken as Chinese which she respectfully explained was common. Tassanai has the kindest heart I know, her concern for the plight of the people here in China especially those who cannot afford the cost of the standard of living is sincere and unparalleled. She is a wonderful lady indeed!