Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Ratchaburi

Today was a short day for us. A lengthy "farewell" to our new friends in Kanchanaburi and then the drive to Ratchaburi, arriving just in time for lunch with a new greeting committee. Before we could even move into our new hosts' homes we were spierited away to an Interact club meeting at a local high school.

This meeting had been specifically requested by me because of my long involvement in our District's Interact activiites and those at Sherando High School in Frederick County. The students had prepared a huge welcome banner for us and greeted us with the shyness that one would expect from a group of teenagers faced with meeting a new group of strangers (and the entourage of local dignitaries who accompanied us.)

Although the students had all studied Englsh, they were a bit reluctant to try it out, until I started asking them about which sports they enjoyed. When I told them that I was a Dallas Cowboys fan, I got a lot of smiles and some giggles from the girls.

We were shown a Powerpoint presentation about some of the many projects that the Interact club was doing in the community, many of which focused on environmental matters. It was personally encouraging for me to see that these students were as dedicated to working towards a better world as were our students at home.

After finally checking in with our hosts, we attended yet another Rotary club meeting - this one with the Ploy Ratchaburi club - an all-women's group. Although we did not get to deliver our formal presentation, we each spoke briefly (through an interpreter) about ourselves, and I talked to them about my own club and District 7570. After trading club banners, we each received small gifts (mine was not so small - an XXL flaming pink polo shirt) and later joined the members for dinner.

Now to rest up for a full day of activities tomorow.