First week in Photos

Later today marks one week in Germany. Thanks to Gudula, my wonderful and current host mother, I've been able to finally upload some photos.


New South Wales and New York GSE teams do wall sits at Hannover train station.
Monday May 25


Brad and Amy at Vivolo's in Hackeschen Markt, Berlin-Mitte


@ Deutscher Bundestag, The German Parliament, Berlin
Wednesday May 27


Doris and Lisa at Inner Wheel meeting.
Thursday May 28


Irmi, guard and growler at Leffers in Oldenburg.
Friday May 29


Host, Gudula Hugenroth, laughs at Noelle's phrase book.
Friday May 29

Berlin

Greetings from Berlin. Packed up. Had breakfast with the Neddemeirs and left for the Oldenburg train station. There Virginia and I met the rest of our team and met the Australian team too
Brian, Benny Blogger, Bradley, Kim- head lady, Jackie, and Amy. My first impression- what a gregarious groups that seems to get on well. We traded business cards and I ate their chocolate. Thanks for sharing mates.

We've eaten a snack lunch and will soon leave for a walking tour of Berlin.

Greetings from Oldenburg

I arrived yesterday. The last two days I have been at the Neddemeir's in Oldenburg. They have been great hosts, sharing stories and feeding Virginia and I. This morning they took us to downtown Oldenburg, saw the old town hall, castle, and stopped for tea and coffee before heading back to the house. I hope to upload some photos from the garden we visited. Should get off the computer so Virginia can use it. Also need to pack for Berlin. Taking the train there in the morning where will will have three days and share time with the Australian GSE team.

Holy mother. Tomorrow starts in five minutes. And that's when I'm leaving. Not until the evening though. I can not believe it's almost here. Yikes.

My mother's a god send! She helped me finish the laundry, so that I could visit Molly D for her birthday. Back home now and tying up loose ends.

I can't believe it's time.

Over due update

My goodness it's been well over a month since my last blog. Let's just say I've been a tad bit busy. Since my last post:

Last month, I attended a lunch meeting of the Flushing Rotary Club. This is the local club that is sponsoring me for the GSE trip. I met Tony Civitano, President of the Flushing Club, along with several of other Rotarians, including Fior Rodriguez-Langumas. My first meeting served to offer insights on how Rotary functions on a local club level.


Tony Civitano, President of Flushing Rotary

More recently, I attended a welcome meeting for the incoming GSE team at the South Nassau Hospital in Oceanside.

Tomorrow, I will get to spend the better part of the day with the German team. The Rockaway Club is currently hosting the team and is taking them to the Statue of Liberty. Though I can see the Statue from Brooklyn on most days, I have not been visited in decades. Decades! Sounds weird.

Earlier today was the last official prep meeting before the team leaves for Germany. The rain and the 5 boro bike race reeked havoc on high ways and travel plans. Alas, Heidi and the Governor arrived and helped to polish the script of my presentation. There is still some revising to do. The team plans to tie up loose ends to tie up at the District conference.