Group Study Exchange
Charlotte to Egypt and Lebanon
By: John Galles
    
                          
Carol Jordan introduced our speakers, Bill Burnham, Bryant Eckert, and Chris Miller, who participated in the Rotary Group Exchange during the months of April, May and June of 2009. These three were part of a six-member team on a cultural exchange to Egypt and Lebanon staying with host families while touring and visiting with Rotarians in the cities and communities in these countries. The other members of their team included Josh Griffin, Regina Boyd and Whitney Hodges.
 
Each and every spokesperson mentioned the kindness, friendliness, generosity, and giving natures of those they met and visited in Egypt and Lebanon. They also remarked that they felt safe and secure in this region despite the images and reputation of the Middle East for violence and protest.
 
Chris Miller of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department commented on their visits to Egypt. He said that, of course, they visited and toured the Pyramids and the Sphinx while there. They had opportunities to visit during the day, again at night and also inside the pyramids themselves as well as on 4-wheelers. He was especially impressed to learn that the Pyramids were placed exactly on true North/South/East and West directions. He said that this is no small feat and that even modern architects and builders can seldom replicate that positioning no matter how hard they try.
 
What was most remarkable to Chris Miller was the harmony among Christians and Muslims that they witnessed throughout their travels…that they work side by side and well together consistently. He went on to describe Egypt as similar in size to Texas with a population of about 90 million people who live primarily along the Nile River. Traveling from city to city from Cairo to Alexandria and beyond, they visited businesses and even witnessed the making of papyrus as it was hung and pressed into a durable paper product. Most people live in high rise buildings with very few in private houses. They also were fascinated by the beautiful mosques numbering over 3000 in Egypt alone.
 
Chris Miller also described the Egyptian effort to attract high-tech companies and financial institutions to Egypt with the construction of a "Smart Village" outside of Cairo. Much like Silicon Valley, they hoped to encourage new and expanding companies to their country.
 
Bryant Eckert, an analyst for US Bank, discussed their visits in Lebanon from Beirut to Edhen to Byblos. He commented on the strong Christian orientation and the small world that he discovered with his own heritage from Cleveland, he learned that many Lebanese had migrated to Cleveland and they even chatted with someone driving a car with Ohio license plates on their trip. Bryant was also impressed by the mosques in Lebanon noting that each mosque has 365 chandeliers and that men and women are separated during worship.
 
Most interesting to each of the members was the cuisine that they tasted and experienced in Egypt and Lebanon…from pigeons and fries to cow brains to fish and smoked lamb. Bryant noted that the oldest Rotary Club is in Alexandria, Egypt and that their visits to Rotary Clubs were quite fancy and formal and impressive. The slide presentation that accompanied their speeches was excellent and helped to tell their story. Besides becoming good friends as team members, they also became friends with those they visited in Egypt and Lebanon. Their last slide had the text, "We did it! We lived it! We'd do it again in a heartbeat!
  
 
Head Table: Jim Cusson, George Cochran, John Snyder, Carol Jordan;
Invocation: Sheila Cottringer;
Visitors & Guests: Wes Sturges; Song: Biff Virkler; Piano: Thomas Moore; Photos: Bert Voswinkel
 

• George Robinette received good news that his tumor has shrunk 23%. George will remain on the treatment program in Pittsburg and will return to Rotary on December 1st.
                  
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
    
• Salvation Army Bell Ringing: The 2009 Bell Ringing schedule is available here.
Mark Norman has a full slate of volunteers to ring the bell for the Salvation Army. If you missed securing a spot, you are encouraged to stop by the Kettle, which will be set up at the corner of Trade & Tryon Streets, to cheer on your fellow Rotarians and make a donation. Come on by...11:30 to 1:30, November 23 through December 11 (excluding Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday).
 
• Warm Clothing Drive: Carol Hardison says the need to donate warm clothing, hats, gloves and blankets for clients served by Crisis Assistance Ministry has never been greater. Jim Adams and committee have tables set up in the parking deck at the hotel and are happy to help unload your donations. If you need home pickup, contact Jim at 704-575-9303. The collection period has been extended to December 1st.

 • Wine Tasting: Charlotte North Rotary will have a wine tasting fund raiser November 19 from 5-7pm at the Map Shop, 1500 E. Morehead Street. Proceeds will be used to drill a well in Kenya. Tickets are available at the door for $10. Parking is in the two adjacent lots or across the street at the farmer's market.