Tango Unleashed

By: Laurie Holland

Or shall I say "Zakiya unleashed"?....HA! Our group had a great time tonight learning some basic steps to the tango. Our instructor danced with Zakiya and demonstrated some really quick moves...and she kept up! Guess all those years of dance lessons as a child helped her "unleash".



Okay, now to business. Yesterday, our day was completely full! We visited a car museum (dad, you'd love some of the race cars displayed in there), then a Christian school, and then a school for the deaf. Now that was a great experience. I've always wanted to learn sign language. That day I had 2 language barriers....I tried asking one of the women how to sign something so that I could sign with the kids...and then I was a bit frustrated that I couldn't even ask her because I didn't know how to say it in Castellano. Truthfully, yesterday was one of those frustrating days...the days we all experience when learning a new language. We took a tour of the city and everything was spoken in Castellano. I couldn't keep up. We also visited a hospital and were given tours of the rooms of ill patients. Culturally, it felt quite different and a little uncomfortable. In the US, it is quite intrusive to go walking into a patient's room for a brief moment, and then walk out, as if I'm on a field trip. As a result, one of the tour guides thought I was disinterested. When I explained, I learned that the patients are not offended, and the staff at the hospital appreciate us walking into the rooms, even for a brief moment.



You know, as many things as I may have mentioned that are different here in Argentina, we have FAR MORE in common with the Argentines, particularly the Rotary Club's goal of peace. It's amazing to see firsthand how so many countries work together and bridge the gap of cultural ignorance. Although different cultures may do things in a different way, we have the same heart, the same vision....and that should unite people. I highly respect the Rotary Club and its amazingly endless efforts toward peace among all people. One day, I'd be very proud to call myself a Rotarian.


Another Rotary meeting last night...I think it was our group's best presentation yet. We are all feeling more confident and getting to the meat of our message. We have another meeting tomorrow night, and on my birthday (St. Patrick's Day....the 17th....don't forget!) we will be presenting to over 700 people! How exciting! The president of the Rotary Foundation (from New Zealand) will be there as well, which is quite a big deal considering he is rarely present at any of the large conferences around the world. There will be 4 other exchange groups there as well - from England, Venezuela, Italy, and Argentina. I met the 4 members of the Argentina group last night. What a wonderful outstanding group! Really! They will be going to California for the month of April to do what our group is doing here in Argentina. I hope to see them while they are in California.

This exchange program is truly a fantastic program. I'm picking up the language, which is important, but most importantly I'm gaining cultural awareness and meeting people that really inspire me with their actions. Thus far, it has superseded my expectations, and I am very grateful to the Rotary Foundation for allowing me to represent the US team!