The Roving Reporter

1,000 people talking...

Posted by: Amy Reiter

Saturday, March 31, 2007 7:22 PM

Well, our trip is almost over, and it's ending in a bittersweet way.

This weekend is the district conference, and Rotarians from around sourthern Taiwan have gathered in Kaohsiung to honor people, make and hear speeches and -- I think today -- talk about how Rotary can continue to address issues like eradicating polio and getting cleaner water to poor people.

But the day started badly. Usually I meet people I enjoy spending time with, and am sad that every day we have a different Rotary group, so we never get to be really friends with anyone, but we make hundreds of acquaintances.

Yesterday, we were with a group that clearly wanted us off their hands. They were taking us from the east coast city of Taitung to the west coast city of Kaohsiung for the conference, and anything we did felt like something they weren't happy about. They didn't ask many questions about us, or tell us about themselves. And when we left the bus for the conference, there were few goodbyes.

Thankfully, two things happened later that day that made me feel a little better.

The Rotary International head gave a talk in English about how Rotary needs to be committed to service, and that its missions go beyond donating money. Rotarians are expected to be ethical and compassionate in their careers and personal lives, and tolerant of others and their cultures, including those who come and go on trips like our Group Study Exchange. It was an impassioned, interesting talk, and I was happy to hear it.

Secondly, most of the Rotarians we've met over this last month have gathered at the conference, so we're seeing so many familiar faces -- hundreds of familiar ones, really. It's amazing to think I've met so many nice, interesting, fun people over the last month. I'm sad to be leaving them.

Tomorrow we fly out. I'll stop in Tokyo for two days on my way home. I'm on my own and I'm a walker, so expect updates about places around the city. I'm going to cover as much ground as I can in two days -- the Imperial Palace, the biggest fish market in the world, the old city, the crazy fashion district where people dress like cartoons. I'll take lots of pictures, and try to post the best ones.

Wish me luck!

Amy

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