ROTARIOS

The biggest thing I've noticed different from Rotary here and back in Canada is how organized they are and how unknown they are in the public. I know a lot of people have only heard of Rotary back home, they don't know all their projects and everything they help with, but here no one even knows such an organization exists. It's not as big as in north america and here it's more of a "gentleman's club" but they are very proud members of the largest international humanitarian organization. The people I've met back in Canada and here in Spain who are rotary members have been really nice people and I'm always impressed with the projects and work this organization does.

Two weeks ago all the Rotary youth Exchange students went to Madrid for a conference. Here is where I first noticed some of the differences between Rotary clubs here and back home. Here they are quite unorganized. All the students were to be picked up by the same bus from their arrival place in Madrid. So students from the airport and two different bus stations packed into a bus, with no adults. Everyone was ignorant to what was suppose to go on even the rebounders that were supposed to be in charge. Finally, after hours on that bus, seventy international students arrived at a university campus. First things first - smoke break. About a dozen of the students; mostly european but a few americans, lit up before we figured out where to go. Then we waited some more and finally got room assignments from a woman holding a Coca-Cola and a cigarette. That evening we briefly met some Rotarians, room assignment lady was one of them, and did attendance in what I think was the least efficient way. Then we ate, hung out, introduced ourselves and exchanged pins between us students before our eleven o'clock lights out. The next morning we had breakfast and then a meeting from ten to two. During this meeting take a guess at what we were told... The four D's. I think four different people in their presentations mentioned these main rules and then we watched a movie on them! After that we ate paella and had the afternoon to ourselves because all the adults peaced out. so we had the afternoon, evening, night and following morning all to ourselves. In a university campus. With nothing except a bar. There was also a horse stable there where myself and some others spend a few hours petting horses. Then met up with other people to hang out in the bar where a few people had already been for four hours. So while drinking my Coca-cola there was a bit of entertainment. So really the conference was done at three on Saturday and my bus didn't leave until four on Sunday. Lots of time to bond so it wasn't too bad because now I have people to visit in Barcelona, Valencia and Galicia. All places that I know I would enjoy very much.

The Rotary meetings in Pamplona with the nine or so students here are usually brief and without a set itinerary but their enjoyable. I've met the district governor for district 2202 where I am and am very happy I'm here with this organization. Also I enjoy the gatherings with the other exchange students here, we have a meeting place now and I'm really glad there are others like me in the city. But I am really happy to be the only one at my school because then I don't speak as much english as I otherwise would.