Greetings from the Rotary International District 3300 Conference in Seremban!

Following a weekend of fellowship with Rotarians coming from all over District 3300, dressing as cowgirls for Western Night, and dining among Malaysian royalty, the GSE team presented a summary of its reflections on its Malaysian GSE experience thus far to an audience of over one hundred faces, some familiar, some new. We used a David Letterman-style "Top 10 Countdown" format to organize those aspects of our trip that have had the greatest impact on our understanding of Malaysia and on Rotary. Those Rotarians who made it to our presentation (i.e. didn't party as hard as the others still in their hotel rooms!) really enjoyed learning what their American visitors found most compelling about their country.

"What we appreciate about our Malaysian GSE Experience #10: The Tropical Beauty"

 

We admire the tropical climate, tropical fruit, and the tropical colors of Malaysia. When Dorothy visits the Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz, she dons a pair of green-tinted glasses that transform the world around her to various shades of green. Dorothy might have wandered into verdant Oregon, where even the trunks of trees are covered in kelly green moss. Malaysia, on the other hand, is a kaleidoscope of color, from juicy sun-colored papaya and mango to a shimmering palette of punjabi suits in Little India, to the splashes of color on Buddhist and Hindu temples, to fiery hibiscus and the threatening neon of toxic butterflies Even coffee comes in an unexpected color - white!

"What we appreciate about our Malaysian GSE Experience #9: The Wildlife"

The tropical landscape and diversity of vegetation formed a basis for the wildlife in Malaysia. Some of us enjoyed riding the elephants at the elephant sanctuary, while others of us enjoyed being chased around by herds of monkeys, who conspired to steal our purses and glasses. Pam especially appreciated spotting a pair of hornbills through her binoculars during one of her birding outings.

"What we appreciate about our Malaysian GSE Experience #8: The Thunderstorms"

In Oregon, some of us live in areas with consistent light showers, and few of us knew what to expect when we were told we'd be traveling during monsoon season, which turned out to be characterised by clear skies punctuated by fleeting moments of torrential downpours. We tried to play it cool as lightning and thunder set a dramatic stage for our GSE presentation at the Rotary Club of Klang, but even the Rotarians had to laugh when the booming thunder shook our projector!

Check back tomorrow for more Malaysian phenomena that we have come to appreciate!