Day 9: Sun 10 Sep - Seoul

When our rooms were made up yesterday, we were informed that the breakfast room would be congested between 8:30-9:30 am. So, we decided that a 7am breakfast was in order. That task completed, I did some more MEPS work - communication to all about the various MEPS events. It's like trying to herd cats, dealing with some of these people. My patience has been tried on more than one occasion over the years with this section, but still I persist!

An early lunch was had and then back to the hotel to get changed for the Opening Ceremony of the 2017 FIP Congress. We were told to be there by 1:30pm to be seated by 2pm for a 3pm start. Well, as is always the case, we were all there well and truly on time only to have to hurry up and wait. We were not let into the auditorium until well after 2:30pm and the proceedings started about 20 minutes later than the scheduled 3pm. Most of the entertainment was pretty good - traditional drumming and dancing, with a bit of opera sung by local artists, and boy could they sing! A jolly good job they did. We were also treated to a dance performance "Shake it" by the Korean Pharmaceutical Students; I don't recall any of my fellow students being able to dance like that. They even did a bit of the "Gangnam Style" routine. Then it was time for the more boring stuff like speeches and award presentations. Jane was presented the Distinguished Practice Award for services rendered to FIP and MEPS – well done Jane. The Welcome Reception followed and did not last long as the food and drinks ran out very early.  If there is one thing FIP should have learned by now, is that to get a bunch of pharmacists to mingle, they need to be fed and watered appropriately.

We were all very hungry by the time we got back to the hotel, so after a quick change of clothes, we met in the lobby and went out for dinner - Korean BBQ close to the hotel. Everything was good - the food, the beer, the soju, and best of all, the company.

Angie, Richard, Dale, Régis, Piotr, Steve, Nicole, Sam, Ann, Ina, Frederik

Piotr, Petra, Régis, Mel

Steve, Nicole, Sam, Ann, Ina, Matthias, 

Wendy, Sylvain, Angie, Ann, Ina, Arne, Matthias, Frederik, Richard

Opening Ceremony Entertainment

Gangnam Style




Jane accepting her Distinguished Practice Award from FIP President Dr Carmen Pena


Jane and Carola

Sam, Sylvain, Jane, Steve, Piotr, Ann, Wendy






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