This is my final blog during the month long GSE trip. Tomorrow we proceed to New York and then catch the return flight on Friday night. I dont think i will get a chance to blog in NYC. You see its more important to check out times square, ground zero, statue of liberty than blogging.
Today morning we went to Ashboro zoo which is the biggest natural habitat zoo in NC. In the evening we attended the farewell dinner. DG Charles could not atend as his mother is ill. We convey our best wishes and pray for speedy recoveryof DG's mother. In the dinner PDG Phil was there., so was coming DG Mike. And there was Ann. And everybody from Ashboro. It was fun and it was sombre. It felt great to be with them for a month and we felt sad to leave them. Wonderful rotarians like Rob Recce, Kemp, Jackie, Milners, Dr. Ranbir and others who needs no mention. There was exchange of final gifts and the rotary team pledged to go for return visit in India soon. We will be expecting Ann, Ashley and Bill soon.
Steve Wirtz and Tanaa meets us in Greensboro tomorrow which will be preceeded by a Punjabi lunch to be hosted by who else but a Shikh. Looking forward for it till we board from Greensboro.
Thanx for bearing with us for over a month. I pledge to plaster this blog with photos once we r back as photos were a rarity so far due to tech constraint.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Back in Ashboro
It was a rollicking weekend in the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort attending the District Conference of RID7690. We went in 3 cars along with Rob Resse, Kemp and Jackie. Jackie is from South Africa originally and it was refreshing to exchange very classical thoughts on education, values and culture while on the drive. very british. We had a breakfast break and ultimately reached Myrtle at 5PM. There was a jungle fire in the vicinity and it appeared menacing when we approached the beach. But finally it was not that harmful. The beach resort is awesome with a never ending coastline on a silver sand platform. We stayed in a condo at the 23rd floor and it was a luxurious condo with 3 room 3 toilet and all facilities. Immediately checking in we went for lunch with Rob in the Pool side cafe. In the evening we attended the formal welcome dinner of the conference. it was an informal dinner with an idea of what awaits the next couple of days. It was interesting to find out old freinds like Greg, Pam, Peggy, Paul, Braun, dexter and so many. The dinner spread of club sandwiches was pretty interesting. we stayed awake late that night preparing for the next day presentation followed with some recreation afterwards.
The next day started with Plenary Session -1 where DG Charles Allen introduced RI Director. The Key Note Speaker was Deepa Willingham who is from California Rotary and is running a women education centre in Piyali in South 24 parganas. We pray that she have collected reasonable donation by her very sentimental speech.
Our flag hoisting ceremony went well and it was really an honour to carry the tricolour and see it hoisted along with the Red & Stripes for all 3 days of the convention. Our presentation and dance item went well. Mr. Gandhi and Shruti were the speakers from the team. The team indeed got a standing ovation. Rob and Ann took us for lunch thereafter in the Broadway at the Beach at the Jackie's inn. They have some amazing sea food platter with focus on crab. We then went to Myrtle Beach and had an improptu swim in the ocean. That evening we had the dinner in Pallisades and the butter corn and pork chops were amazing. Then we went to the beach Pajama party where everybody got a chance to shake a leg. Joe Kelley, the outbound GSE leader then took us to his condo for a small homely party. Shantony, Carrie and Jenna who arrived in the beach in that night only joined us. The party was definitely followed by some more entertainment and ended in the early hours of Saturday.
Next day at 11 AM the outbound GSE presented their show and we found their presentation to be very focussed. They were displaying only those pictures what many like to percieve about india. very interesting. We went for lunch with Ashley followed by some shopping at Tanger, the multi brand factory outlet, best buy and tresco. The latter is a metro cash and carry format and it was a better bargain. Dinner on Saturday was a sitdown in Pallisades. I would only remember the desert which was very good. The dinner and dance went upto 11 and it appeared everybody was desperate to enjoy till the last. The GSE team along with Ann came to our condo in the night and we chatted till 3 in the morning. Everybody poured their hearts out and it was so sentimental and warm for evrybody. Carrie, Shantony, Ann, Jenna, Amanda - we may probably never meet them ever but we became such good freinds in last 4 months. We all vowed to keep in touch. Ann was at her best. She was a darling. We could not have expected a better, accomodating and freindly GSE chair who smilingly considered all our tantrums. A very very special thanks to Ann on behalf of the team. Luv u.
Today we were back in Ashboro. On the way, Jackie gave us a good treat. Amazing Buffet spread. the countdown has begun. we should be home next sunday.
The next day started with Plenary Session -1 where DG Charles Allen introduced RI Director. The Key Note Speaker was Deepa Willingham who is from California Rotary and is running a women education centre in Piyali in South 24 parganas. We pray that she have collected reasonable donation by her very sentimental speech.
Our flag hoisting ceremony went well and it was really an honour to carry the tricolour and see it hoisted along with the Red & Stripes for all 3 days of the convention. Our presentation and dance item went well. Mr. Gandhi and Shruti were the speakers from the team. The team indeed got a standing ovation. Rob and Ann took us for lunch thereafter in the Broadway at the Beach at the Jackie's inn. They have some amazing sea food platter with focus on crab. We then went to Myrtle Beach and had an improptu swim in the ocean. That evening we had the dinner in Pallisades and the butter corn and pork chops were amazing. Then we went to the beach Pajama party where everybody got a chance to shake a leg. Joe Kelley, the outbound GSE leader then took us to his condo for a small homely party. Shantony, Carrie and Jenna who arrived in the beach in that night only joined us. The party was definitely followed by some more entertainment and ended in the early hours of Saturday.
Next day at 11 AM the outbound GSE presented their show and we found their presentation to be very focussed. They were displaying only those pictures what many like to percieve about india. very interesting. We went for lunch with Ashley followed by some shopping at Tanger, the multi brand factory outlet, best buy and tresco. The latter is a metro cash and carry format and it was a better bargain. Dinner on Saturday was a sitdown in Pallisades. I would only remember the desert which was very good. The dinner and dance went upto 11 and it appeared everybody was desperate to enjoy till the last. The GSE team along with Ann came to our condo in the night and we chatted till 3 in the morning. Everybody poured their hearts out and it was so sentimental and warm for evrybody. Carrie, Shantony, Ann, Jenna, Amanda - we may probably never meet them ever but we became such good freinds in last 4 months. We all vowed to keep in touch. Ann was at her best. She was a darling. We could not have expected a better, accomodating and freindly GSE chair who smilingly considered all our tantrums. A very very special thanks to Ann on behalf of the team. Luv u.
Today we were back in Ashboro. On the way, Jackie gave us a good treat. Amazing Buffet spread. the countdown has begun. we should be home next sunday.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Dinner in the Hanspal's
It was a impressive dinner yesterday in the house of Dr. Prithvipal Singh Hanspal. He has a palatial house in Ashboro and invited the whos who of Rotary in 7690. Many of them we know and so it was great. that included Joe and his 4 leiutenants. Phil Morris, Tim Albertson, DG09-10 and the indian doctors completed the line up. It was a party for teetotallers & vegans. So snacks was Masala Muri, Paneer tikki and Alu Chaat. Dinner was Pulao, Paratha, Alu Ghobi, Palak Paneer, Shahi Kofta, Raita, Baingon Ki Bharta and assortment. Food came from Saffron and we all savoured. In the night, Dr. Cabberwal, a urologist took us to her home. That was even more impressive. A palace on 5 acres. They really made it big in last 30 years. Feels good. Now we r proceeding to Myrtle Beach. Its party time.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Wednesday in Ashboro
It was a busy day in Ashboro. We went to Timken USA in morning. It was nice to know manufacturing of large bearing of 6- 24" inch dia. Their primary customer is caterpillar and they r serving earth moving and automobile industry. is heavily into Kanban and appeared to be not comfortable in value engineering. That is something if they dont learn quickly i.e. value and reverse engineering, it will be interesting for the rest.
the reception and the arrangement in lunch for the joint meetinmg meeting of Ashboro and Randolph rotary clube was impressive. with attendance of 150 people and tricolour baloon everywhere it was fun. Shruti had a good dress rehearsal of the presentation. The reception in Ashboro was indeed very sincere. In fact we travelled in a limosuine today. that was indeed a one off expereince and there were many tangent eyes to the travelling GSE team.
The Tribune News had long press conference with the team. Gse had really spured the imagination of RID 7690 NO doubt.
Sorry for the typo error yesterday. I never felt so proud seeing the tricolour flying for an effort of us.
We have our dinner today in the house of Dr. Priti Hanspal. There is an army of serving shikh doctors in Ashboro and they r the crowns of the city. Good for us.
the reception and the arrangement in lunch for the joint meetinmg meeting of Ashboro and Randolph rotary clube was impressive. with attendance of 150 people and tricolour baloon everywhere it was fun. Shruti had a good dress rehearsal of the presentation. The reception in Ashboro was indeed very sincere. In fact we travelled in a limosuine today. that was indeed a one off expereince and there were many tangent eyes to the travelling GSE team.
The Tribune News had long press conference with the team. Gse had really spured the imagination of RID 7690 NO doubt.
Sorry for the typo error yesterday. I never felt so proud seeing the tricolour flying for an effort of us.
We have our dinner today in the house of Dr. Priti Hanspal. There is an army of serving shikh doctors in Ashboro and they r the crowns of the city. Good for us.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Now in Ashboro
Today was a heartrending day in Sanford. Leaving people like Paul and Ashley was difficult. The Dauphine's were truly fabulous. We had a team presentation in Sanford Club today in noon. Today the theme was Jharkhand and Bihar. There was a deafenening clasp after the 35 minute presentation. Hope the audience liked it.
We came to Ashboro and mert the Mayor of Ashboro City.After the routine proclamation, what was heart rending was to note that Ashboro municipality will be hoisting the tricolour for a week in honour opf our visit. Seeing the tricolour hoisted along with US flag in commemoration to our visit to rthe city is easily the best part of our trip. i didnt felt so pround. Thanks Ashboro.
We came to Ashboro and mert the Mayor of Ashboro City.After the routine proclamation, what was heart rending was to note that Ashboro municipality will be hoisting the tricolour for a week in honour opf our visit. Seeing the tricolour hoisted along with US flag in commemoration to our visit to rthe city is easily the best part of our trip. i didnt felt so pround. Thanks Ashboro.
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