Liz Werhane & GSE Trip to Thailand
Posted by Ruth Ann Angus
Deepa introduced us to Liz Werhane who is an Internal Communications
Manager for the software company, Citrix/Online. Liz was a Rotaract
member and went on a GSE trip to Thailand. She showed us her Power
Point presentation about her trip.
Liz said they visited 12 cities in six days, staying along the way in
the homes of Rotarians. She said the driving was crazy. Sometimes there
were visits from local wildlife at 3 AM. She also said the people fed
them a lot of food and she learned to say "I am full of food" but found
out the hard way that she was actually saying, "I am full of beer."
She had to get used to eating exotic foods such as eels, chicken feet, frog soup and beetles. Thais thought that a good American breakfast consisted of hot dogs, salad, and eggs. One thing was always present at all meals and that was lots of fried fish.
During this time the group went on Vocational Visits. They visited a banana factory , one that made chips, and a place specializing in organic food. They also toured a magazine and a printing press. One time they stopped at a wine stand where Liz found wines from everywhere except the United States.
They met with mayors, visited banks, hospitals, the largest earth dam and an adjacent power plant, as well as a coal mine.
Liz and the group attended the District 3360 conference. Rotary meetings there are about the same as here except they hit a gong instead of a bell and there is always a picture of the king on show. Liz also said women are very active in Rotary.
They also saw many Buddhist temples, visited with hill tribes, bargained while shopping (it is expected) and enjoyed Thai massage.
A hike to a waterfall was Liz' favorite activity, although riding an elephant also ranked right up there. Elephants are revered in Thailand. They are even used to play polo where the elephants charge up and down the field trumpeting. Liz said cleaning the polo field afterward had to be the worst job.
The group visited the U.S. Consulate where they learned that US officials are most concerned about the keeping the borders safe and the abundant drug trade. They are encouraging the natives to do handicrafts such as weaving and ceramics to make money rather than participating in the drug trade.
Our Consulate needs to learn about proper hospitality however as the group's native guides commented that it was the only place they visited where they were not offered any food or drink.
Karaoke is extremely popular in Thailand and the group spent a lot of time singing "Hotel California" with the Thai people.
All in all Liz said the experience was more than worthwhile. In her own words, "What better investmen
She had to get used to eating exotic foods such as eels, chicken feet, frog soup and beetles. Thais thought that a good American breakfast consisted of hot dogs, salad, and eggs. One thing was always present at all meals and that was lots of fried fish.
During this time the group went on Vocational Visits. They visited a banana factory , one that made chips, and a place specializing in organic food. They also toured a magazine and a printing press. One time they stopped at a wine stand where Liz found wines from everywhere except the United States.
They met with mayors, visited banks, hospitals, the largest earth dam and an adjacent power plant, as well as a coal mine.
Liz and the group attended the District 3360 conference. Rotary meetings there are about the same as here except they hit a gong instead of a bell and there is always a picture of the king on show. Liz also said women are very active in Rotary.
They also saw many Buddhist temples, visited with hill tribes, bargained while shopping (it is expected) and enjoyed Thai massage.
A hike to a waterfall was Liz' favorite activity, although riding an elephant also ranked right up there. Elephants are revered in Thailand. They are even used to play polo where the elephants charge up and down the field trumpeting. Liz said cleaning the polo field afterward had to be the worst job.
The group visited the U.S. Consulate where they learned that US officials are most concerned about the keeping the borders safe and the abundant drug trade. They are encouraging the natives to do handicrafts such as weaving and ceramics to make money rather than participating in the drug trade.
Our Consulate needs to learn about proper hospitality however as the group's native guides commented that it was the only place they visited where they were not offered any food or drink.
Karaoke is extremely popular in Thailand and the group spent a lot of time singing "Hotel California" with the Thai people.
All in all Liz said the experience was more than worthwhile. In her own words, "What better investmen