Tea & Talk

Tea has an amazing history, especially in China. It's part of tradition and relationships, it adds aroma to the room and forms bonds. Tea is complex and one should know what they are doing when they are handling good tea. There are complexities in how tea is cooked, poured, cultivated and stored. It is always used in formal gatherings.

Today we were expose to a new level of Tea drinking. The leaves were gathered from one of three trees left in China, the tea tree is actually protected by the government. As we sat and watched the elaborate process leading up to receiving a cup of tea, it was mesmerizing. First, the tea is placed in a tea pot, then hot water is added through a process of pouring it through a funnel in a circular motion into the pot. Then, the tea sits for a while, then poured into a clear glass pot, and finally poured into a small cup. Only a little bit at a time. No "big Gulp" cups in the room and don't ask for Ice and sugar.

When the aroma of the tea reaches your nose, you know it has excellent qualities. The smell is light and "earthy" ( Now I am sounding like I know what I am talking about?). My time in France had prepared me for this moment. Don't gulp, just sip. During the day this experience would repeat itself.

During the afternoon we gather at a National historical park in Beijing. Stunning place with water falls, stone bridges, beautiful lakes it provided a very peaceful setting. We look at various building and began to "negotiate". We talk about culture, history, modern trends, economics, the Olympics and what would a partnership look like as we moved forward into the future.

Bringing two cultures together is a delicate dance as we try to understand expectations, language, cultural nuances, and implications for the future. There is definitely an art to negotiation. Who know what tomorrow will bring as we continue our journey down this path of trust?