District Conference in York

This past week, Bryan and I traveled with my host Ken and Rose to York, about four hours south of Edinburgh, for the District 1020 Conference. Right when we pulled into the ancient city, I could tell that it had been there for a while. The city is surrounded by an old Roman/Medieval wall that people can stroll along and take in the magnificent sights. I believe York just celebrated its 1900 anniversary in the 70's. That's old! There are many ancient Roman sights and Medieval buildings that mix with the newer Victorian ones. We stayed right along the river with a great view of York minster, a old and captivating cathedral. The Rotary went to great lengths to arrange this weekend and it was wonderful! On Friday, the scholars and other guests attended the Governor's Reception where we met with the Lord Mayor of York. Then after dinner we went to an amazing concert performed by Scocha in the beautiful York Theatre. This Scottish rock band is like a Scottish Flogging Molly. Click below for a listen, sorry about the background noise, we were seated "in the gods," as they say here.

On Saturday, after an array of enlightening and engaging speeches, we attended a magnificent Governor's Ball at the Railroad Train Museum where we danced all night and gazed at the many trains on display (actual life-size trains!). After the ball, the scholars and I toasted the evening and Rotary (again and again) at a hotel room party hosted by most host club's president, Graham and my host Ken. It was so much fun! I think I had a little too much of a good time though.

Sunday morning was all business, as the Ambassadorial Scholars took the stage. At first it was intimidating standing in front of 1000 Rotarians, but we only spoke for a few minutes and then Robin, another scholar, showed her short film about our lives and trying all things Scottish. It was hilarious seeing ourselves on the big screen making various and amusing faces to the taste of a fried Mars bar, or for me I tried haggis. I am happy to report that it was a big success!! Great work Robin! All in all it was great fun! In between speeches, we managed to go to a few pubs, including one in a cellar that was really interesting, and see the breath-taking York minster. It was a ridiculously fun weekend.

On a side note, today is my birthday and I have two parties to go to. One is thrown by one of my classmates and the other is a bit unusual...The scholars and I are going to meet up at a Hookah bar and have a few drinks and of course smoke the hookahs. I've never tried it so I thought I would give it a go. It is sure to be an interesting night! I better get going or I'm going to be late for party #1. Hooray for Hookah! Until next time...

Exploring Roslin and Meeting GSE Group From South Africa

Robin playing peek-a-boo at R. Castle

I've been very busy this week...In fact, I am neglecting my homework, but I wanted to talk about my fun day in Roslin this past Saturday and meeting the South African Group Study Exchange members last night.

Roslin is a beautiful and sleepy town about a half hour south of Edinburgh. Amongst the large birch trees and large babbling brook, lies Rosslyn Chapel at the top of a hill that was built in the mid-15th century by the St. Clair family. It was made famous by Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code, although much of it is different than what was featured in the movie. However there is an interesting legend that still haunts the intricately carved chapel. Many of the St. Clair family are buried in a crypt beneath the hallowed hall of the chapel. Since the 17th century, the St. Clair's have sealed off access to their crypt, not wanting to disturb their buried ancestors; however, they recently allowed experts to use a sonar device to map out the empty space of the crypt beneath. Now this is where the mystery unfolds...Reportedly, beneath the St. Clair crypt exists an empty space twice the size of the chapel itself. This is where the storied Templar treasure is said to rest with the St. Clair's, its immortal guardians. It is an interesting story, one that cannot be proved (unless they allow access to the crypt beneath), but that is part of the allure Rosslyn has, drawing in hundreds of visitors a day.

After exploring the beautiful chapel, Robin, Lindsey (two other Rotary Scholars), and I wandered the surrounding forest. We climbed the ruins of Roslin Castle and walked along the trickling brook. It was relaxing to be amongst the ancient trees which have reclaimed much of the castle. I would definitely recommend a trip to Roslin if you are ever in the area.

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Last night on the train to Polmont, I sat reading an article for school, pen in hand. A Scottish women sat across from me. She was carrying a card of some kind and asked if she may borrow my pen. This particular pen is a special Texas State Aquarium pen that allows the user to choose their color by pushing on the correct sliding tab. I told her it was the red ink and to switch it if she wanted to write in black or blue ink. A quizzical look came over her face and she handed it back to me and asked if I could do it. It was an interesting exchange, because I have never seen those types of pens here. I am sure they are here somewhere, but it was fascinating that such a small thing like a pen could cause confusion. I guess you can see my anthropology reasoning come into play. It is very interesting to me to see how we all have certain rules (or culture) that we employ to operate our daily lives. When something new comes across us, we are confused or even sometimes intimated because we don't know what to do or how to act. It is fascinating. Ahh anthropology...

After my interlude on the train, I attended the weekly Rotary meeting at my host club in Polmont. There, I had the privilege of meeting an exchange group from South Africa. It was an absolute delight to talk with them. They gave an amazing presentation that highlighted their lives in South Africa. I was blown away by the varied beauty of South Africa. There are also lions and giraffes. Who wouldn't love to go there? I am looking forward to talking with them some more in York at the District Conference this weekend. Well I can hear my homework calling me. I have so much to do, so little time. What a wonderful experience so far!! I am so grateful for the hospitality of Ken and the Polmont Club!

The Road Not Taken

I took this picture yesterday in Roslin. It reminds me of my favorite poem by Robert Frost. For me, this picture represents the road less traveled and the one that I have chosen by coming here. And it has made all the difference...

Full Week

This week has been extra busy for me. On Monday I gave a speech at the Edinburgh-Waverly Club. It was in this lovely hotel that overlooks the Prince's Gardens with the formidable Edinburgh Castle towering above on the ancient and dormant volcano. The food was amazing and the speech was more intimate, for only 5 Rotarians could make the meeting. It was very informal and it was interesting to see the differences of rituals from one club compared to another. The speech went well and everyone was able to ask a few questions. They were quite interested in the Corpus Christi Rotary Club. The most asked question is about the age of the club and about recruiting new members. I think all clubs have the problem of recruiting new Rotarians and they were interested to see how such a large club like the Downtown Club confronts the problem.

On Wednesday, I witness the birth of a Rotary club. It too was an interesting experience, and one that someone doesn't witness everyday. My host Ken, is helping them get started and at that meeting, they elected people to offices. They almost have the required 20 Rotarian-elects and almost all of them are young and represent a diverse group of people. I offered to speak at their club once they are officially charted. There was a sense of contagious excitement in the air and I am sure they will be a great addition to the Rotary family.

After that meeting, Ken and I headed off to the Rotary meeting in Polmont, my host club. It was exciting to finally meet the Rotarians of my host club and they were so welcoming. That club has about 30 or so members. The meeting was held in a lovely hotel that was once an estate. Ken gave me a warm introduction. I presented them with the wonderful book about South Texas wildlife, explaining to them this is a tradition at my sponsor club in Corpus Christi. They were touched and loved the photos. They intend to place it on a different table each meeting so that everyone can look through the book. It was a wonderful idea!! Many thanks to District Governor Dennis Roberts for the great suggestion!!

The speech went well and they were very curious about Texas. A few had even visited Texas (Dallas and Houston) and recall the food being tasty and the people were very hospitable.

All in all, it has been a busy week. Yesterday I met some local Rotaract members at a pool event. (Not swimming, but billiards.) It was fun. After my busy week I am looking forward to having a drink with the other scholars at a local pub. We try a new one each time. I definitely could use a drink! School has been very intense and I just turned in my first paper. I can't wait to find out my grade on it. Well I'm off, I promised myself I would let my mind defrost. Until next time...

Fun with Ken and Rose

Bryan and I had an extremely fun time yesterday. My hosts Ken and Rose took us to the Falkirk Wheel. An amazing piece of Scottish ingenuity, this wheel transfers boats from one canal to another. It is sort of like a Ferris wheel for boats. We got to ride in a boat and see for ourselves how it works. It was so interesting. It is the only one in the world like it. Before the wheel, boaters had to navigate through a series of locks that would take hours. Wow!

We also explored the buildings and grounds of Stirling castle, once home to Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland. It was a formidable fortress and a lot of fun exploring the great hall, wandering the large kitchen, and running along the fortress walls. This castle also offered a great view of the countryside.

We then headed back to Polmont, which is about a 20 minute train ride from Edinburgh, where Ken and Rose live. Rose made an incredibly tasty meal and I was able to meet the President of my host Club, Graham Smith and his partner Caroline. It was a great time and Ken and Rose are such great hosts. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful host couple. They are also planning on taking us to a football (soccer) match as well as a rugby match. I am determined to explore as much of the Scottish culture as I can. Well now I must go polish up my first paper for school. I have two speeches at Clubs this week, including my first one at my host Club in Polmont (YAY!), and I will let you know how they went. Until next time...

International Night and Ceilidh

Bryan and I had a wonderful time last night, thanks to the Portobello Rotary club who threw an International Night and Ceilidh (pronounce kay lee) in the Ambassadorial scholars' honor. The food was delicious! I had the lamb and the sticky toffee pudding (which is a must try when in Edinburgh). The highlight of the evening was a Ceilidh band from a local high school who played traditional Scottish music. In fact a Ceilidh is a Scottish gathering usually in conjunction with music where you come to listen and dance. The music was lively, the laughter infectious, and the wine/beer plentiful. It was so much fun! Both Bryan and I learned how to dance a Scottish step. To see me try to dance a Scottish jig click on the link below.

To hear a sample of the band's music click on the link below...

It was a fantastic night and I got to meet so many wonderful people. I feel so welcome here!! I also traded banners with the club's president. I have now collected two, with two more speeches in October and three in November, I will quickly triple that amount. My goal is to learn the steps so well and can show everyone back home how to dance a Scottish jig.