On The Way Home

To get back to the U.S. I flew from Singapore to Korea, then from there to San Francisco, California. One more flight led me to Kansas City, Missouri and I finally reached Brammer Farms after a two hour car drive. In total it took nearly two days and 20 hours of flight time to reach my destination. Flying is always a "grand adventure."

But, international flights are an unique experience altogether! Security checks, baggage claim, transfer flights and of course, Customs, make for a memorable experience. And as your Passport is stamped you feel a wave of gratification knowing that you made it, either home or to a new land.

After my Passport was stamped for Singapore, I found myself on my last international flight. My seat had a personal TV that I could watch (for free!) The Singapore Airline stewardesses were also exceptionally nice. We were served numerous meals and could request snacks such as candy bars, fruit or drinks at any time (free of charge!) Overall, I was very impressed with the airline services. After two weeks without television I had an excellent opportunity to catch up on missed TV shows and the latest box office movies. Talk about service!

Flying over Asia! 

Bringing home Vietnamese Dong, Malaysian Ringgit and Singapore Dollar: the currency of Asia. 

Welcome back to the U.S!

Singapore Night

 The 2012 I-CAL team spent our last night in Southeast Asia on a Singapore pier, Riverside Point. We relived moments of the trip, recalled the amazing sights we had seen and bonded over our last meal. Overall, my team members and I agreed that I-CAL was a trip of a lifetime. No one in our group had ever even been to Asia. FFA and the U.S. Grains Council gave us the opportunity to see a part of the world we never thought we would.

It was only fitting to spend our last night with our teammates. We all become so close during our two weeks together. I believe I-CAL is the best agriculture experience I have had the opportunity to be a part of. As we walked down the pier we talked of visiting each others states, universities, our mutual friends and of course, planning our ten year reunion. It was the perfect way to end the perfect trip.

A beautiful Singapore evening! 

Myself and the "Bethany's", how I will miss them! 

Our entire group enjoying fresh seafood and we shared a giant order of King Crab!

Last night in Asia!

Chicago Board of Trade

"Elastic demand," "marginal revenue," suddenly terms from my freshman agriculture economics class are being used around me. At the Chicago Board of Trade's Southeast Asian branch in Malaysia, our I-CAL team met with economists. We discussed the American origins of the company and its global purpose. 

The Chicago Board of Trade is focused on security, risk management to ensure its customers receive quality service and prices. Futures, market prices and demand were discussed during our visit. We also focused on the agriculture sector and the main commodity crops that are traded within the Board. 

The company is constantly expanding its agriculture products to include new varieties of commodities. The discussion wrapped up after viewing global charts of the Board's regional impact. From the U.S. to Southeast Asia, the Chicago Board of Trade has been entrusted by investors since 1848.

Shasta S., myself and Margary M. discuss current agriculture trade trends with trade board representatives. 

At the Chicago Board of Trade Southeast Asian Headquarters! 

Hello Singapore!

Singapore was once a fishing village and trading port frequented by pirates. Today it is a bustling financial center and has been dubbed the "Vegas of Asia." The country is experiencing rapid economic growth with a strong Singapore Dollar, the official currency.

Compared to Vietnam, prices were astronomical here. One scoop of Gelato ice cream (my favorite!) was six American dollars. There were numerous shopping malls and the country lacked the traditional markets of Malaysia. We visited urban areas of the country where cities were bustling with business suite clad workers.

Singapore was definitely a different scenery than the previous countries I had visited! There were unique building, sky scrapers that seemed to touch the clouds, perfectly paved streets and people hurrying off to offices. The country has become a leader in Southeast Asian development both economically and socially.

Shasta S., Daniel A., and I found characters from the American electronic game!

"I'm on a boat!" The popular Lonely Island song came to mind as our tour bus passed this unique building. 

Just another day in the city! 

World's Tallest Twin Towers

 From 1998 to 2004 the Petronas Towers skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were the tallest buildings in the world. Today they are the third tallest but are still the highest twin towers. They were 10 meters taller than the former World Trade Center due to the spires. The buildings took seven years to complete. An architect of a different nationality was in charge of each tower. The race to finish the buildings was won by the South Korean architect team, the Japanese came in a close second.
 A glass walkway was added to connect the buildings. Tourists can even visit the top floor, the 86th. The Petronas Towers have been the setting for movie backdrops and have made there own place in history. In 2009 French urban climber Alain Robert, the "Spiderman" scalled the towers using only his bare hands and feet with no cable assistance. This was one of many attempts he made to climb the towers. When I visited the twin towers, I preferred to use the elevators! 

The towers were located right beside our hotel! It was a beautiful view to wake up to. 

I made it to the top floor, 86. Eventually I will have my fear of heights conquered. 

Matthias, the Bethany's and I enjoy the view.

The window archway allowed me to see both sides of the city skyscrape. 

The view down below. Notice how massive the building shadows are!

Outside, on solid ground! 

Sultan's Palace

While our bus stopped to refill gas I spotted the Sultan's Palace. Yang di-Pertuan Agon is the ruler of Malaysia. Raja Permaisuri Agong is the Queen Lady Consort as the Sultan's husband. After Malaysia gained independence in 1957, the government structure was established in a constitutional monarchy. This makes the rule of the Sultan simply ceremonial, similar to the British government.

However, the leaders of each Malaysian district take turns serving the position. There is no permanent Royal Family dynasty. This unique royal system occurs because it was the only way the districts of Malaysia could unite. Since the rulers of each district could not decide on a ruler, they would each have a turn for a few years. 

This was as close as my "tour" of the palace got!

It is common to find portraits of the reigning royal couple in Southeast Asian businesses. 

WestPort: Worldwide Shipping

Located just north of Singapore and Indonesi, WestPort shipping company boarders south Thailand to become the shipping port hub of Southeast Asia. The company exports and imports products to enter local markets to to travel halfway across the globe. Anything from grains to luxury goods pass through the port daily. The facilities operate with top notch equipment and safety is always a must. WestPort itself is a large community that employes thousands of workers. The company provides economic stimulus to the entire region. 

The view of WestPort seemed endless! The company owns miles of shore land beside ocean ports where they collect shipments. 

One of the coordinators of WestPort discussed the shipping company's strategic location and tactics for utilizing geographic advantages. 

Standing beside the impressive machinery. 

The cranes that moved cargo tons were impressive!

Midwest girls from the University of Missouri and Missouri State!