One of the terrific benefits of belonging to an International Organisation such as Rotary is the opportunity to drop into a Rotary Club meeting anywhere in the world and feel like you belong. Here is a little adventure story from Mark and Isobel from Chile!The joy of travelling and being a Rotarian is the unexpected.
While on a driving adventure in Chile and Argentina, Isobel and Mark Caulfield found themselves in the pretty town of Pucon. It’s in the Chilean lakes district, overlooked by the active volcano Villacaria. They noticed a Rotary symbol and an open door. That was the start of a memorable evening.
The Rotary Club of Pucon is a men’s only club of 25 that was chartered in 1950. The evening was a special meeting as they are sponsoring a satellite club for women. Many are wives of the current Rotarians.
The formal part was discussing the formation of the club. Of course, it was in Spanish, so we didn’t understand anything, but it seemed very positive.
The club own a 3-story building with five shops they rent out. The original members built it in the 1950s. They are very fortunate to have meeting rooms, an auditorium, a BBQ area and a lucrative income.
Walter, the secretary, spoke excellent English and was wonderful.
The Chileans are all into meat. We ate steak, sausages, chicken and intestines. There was potato and a tiny salad. The drinks were a pisco sour to start with and then a very nice red wine.
We were honoured guests and treated so well. The meal didn’t start until well after 9 pm, so by 11 pm, we were ready to leave. They were most upset as we did not have sweets, so they rushed to get us some. A delicious homemade leche (milk) dessert. Lots of photos, and somehow Mark invited the whole club to stay with us in Melbourne!!!
So, if you are travelling and find a Rotary meeting, please go. You will have a great time even if you don’t speak the language.
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