Rotary GSE Italy Team 2010: Wait a minute... what day is it? Where are we?

*Let's give credit where credit's due! Wendy wrote this one, not me! But her computer isn't connecting to the internet right now, so with the power of copy, paste and jump drives, here goes a team effort blog entry!*

You Told Us So!!

Each of us has had the pleasure of hearing stories of our predecessors on prior GSE trips and things to expect. This entry is dedicated to all those who have come before us and know the thoughts and feelings at the close of week #1. Here are a few things that are coming to life for our group.

On May 25, 2010, we said goodbye to our first host family, Guilio and Daniela, and left the mountains of Tarvisio for Trieste, a port city at the peak of the Adriatic Sea. We had a quiet, tearful ride to Trieste where we met the presidents (past, current, and incoming) of the Rotary Club of Trieste Nord. This group, though different, was welcoming and excited about arrival. Getting acclimated to a new group of people and a new place so quickly after such a great connection with our prior host is a bit disorienting?. They took us to Miramare castle which was built by the Austrian Arch Duke, Ferdinand Maximillion in 1860. The history here is affascinante (amazing!...My team thinks I say that too much?) and our hosts were rattling off stories of significant milestones in European history at every turn. After leaving Miramare, we were joined by a few other Rotarians at the Yacht Club Adriaco, the second oldest yacht club in Trieste with 800 members. More Proseco, wine, and sardines! We walked along the coast in beautiful sunny weather with our new host, Marco Meloni, sharing more of the history of Trieste. It is pretty hot and we’ve done a lot of walking.

Jess and Tim went on their first vocational meeting where they met the General Manager of the Hotel Savory. Jess is exposed to a bit of Italian machismo! Kimmie, Dave and I roamed the city streets of Trieste with another Rotarian. At the evening rush hour (5pm), the city is vibrant and alive and most people are in an outdoor café / bar sipping their wine and relaxing.

This is the first large club mtg and formal presentation. We were decked out in our uniforms and ready to go, seated at the head table to the President and his gang of VIP’s. Our presentation went off pretty well. We debriefed and bond in the bar afterwards. Salute!!

We’re finally starting to gel as a team. We’re getting to a place where we know the strengths of each team member, how we compliment and yes, challenge one another. Tired yet energized as you told us we would be?

Miramare Castle