We have been back to daily life in Pennsylvania for over 3 weeks now. I have been slow to write a more comprehensive entry on our Italian experience because I feel like I am still processing the journey. The day before we departed Italy one of our Rotarian friends said it best: ‘the journey is just now beginning.’ In reflection this remark was very accurate.
This past Thursday Nicole and I gave a presentation to the Brownsville Rotary Club about our GSE experience. In sharing our stories I began to fully realize how the trip really was life changing. Some days May still feels like it was a dream. However, when I say it aloud I feel the energy in my body and the excitement in my voice.
I definitely have fond memories of the food, the sights, the farms, and the scenery, but each time I speak about the GSE experience I return to the most amazing part: the people – our team, our Italian hosts, and our home Rotarians.
It is a journey based on teamwork. The five of us did not know each other, but we became a team and most importantly good friends.
The Rotarians and their families throughout district 2100 did not know us, but they took time to share their life and to get to know us.
Rotary is a ‘glocal’ organization. I use ‘glocal’ (one of my favorite hybrid words) because it is true – it is global to local. One is able to travel across the globe, and always be welcomed into local communities – that is amazing. Everywhere we went we were greeted with open arms and a delicious meal (I think sharing a meal is the universal language of welcome in every community).
To continue to express my thoughts, emotions, and lessons from the journey I thought it was best to end with my favorite art form: a collage. Below is a collage of pictures and words that come to mind when I think of our remarkable experience:
Amici (friends) .. laughs .. moving our baggages .. flag pins .. Rotary banners .. jazz .. vino .. ricotta .. sea .. mountains .. agriturismo .. vineyards .. orchards .. espresso .. gelato .. Nicole’s phone alarm .. limoncello .. trains .. daily life .. cultural wisdom and sustainable development .. flowers .. traditional Calabrian music .. tarantella .. mozzarella .. wood ovens .. pronto .. community .. xx (kiss on each cheek)
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