World Food Program

When we were in Brindisi, one of the highlights was our visit to the World Resource Center for the United Nations' program known at the World Food Program. It is a program that mainly responds to national emergencies (such as earthquakes, mudslides, tsunamis, hurricanes, etc) all around the world, providing resources like tents, vacuum packed food, energy crackers, rafts, blankets, medical supplies, etc. By mandate, the WFP was created to bring food to those in need. For the longer term, the World Food Program, along with some programs that other particular countries have, work together to educate communities, and provide them resources for further development of a community in need. It amazes me that only 20 people work there, and yet they have helped so many people around the world!!! It is amazing how quickly they can get out a shipment - all within 24 - 48 hours of a world disaster. Due to Brindisi's location on the sea, as well as the WFP being based beside the local airstrip, they have the ability to get things out where they need to go, quickly!

We were lucky to have this tour arranged by Enzo, one of the Rotarians of the Brindisi Club, and the current Director of the World Food Program in Brindisi. Brindisi and the Humanitarian Respose Depot there serves as a model for other regional sites that they are currently building in places like Dubai, Panama, Accra (Ghana), and Malaysia. We were so fortunate, and really learned a lot by getting such a personal tour, and seeing all of the supplies ready to be shipped.

Just a few logistics for you:

- every 5 seconds, a child dies of hunger

- WFP is the world's largest humanitarian aid foundation

- WFP has 30 ships, 3000 trucks, and 100 aircraft

- they construct warehouses, build bridges, repair railroads...whatever it takes to deliver food to the hungry

What a fantastic experience for our Group Study Exchange Team, to learn about a fantastic service program that is truly making a difference in the world. I think it clearly demonstrates the Rotary motto: Service Above Self! Thanks Enzo, Pino, and Marta! All the best to you always! And thanks again to our sponsoring Rotary Clubs, and the Rotary Foundation! You have opened our eyes to many new places and experiences!

Lecce - Citta d'Arte

Lecce is known as the city of art - Baroque art, specifically. While in Lecce, we visited the Duomo, Santa Croce, Amphiteatre, and many other buildings and churches of the Baroque style of architecture. It was beautiful! The first picture above, is from the Basilica di Santa Caterina in the town of Galatina. The painted frescoes on the inside of this church were just magnificent!

Italian Transportation

We have had lots of fun conversations about Italian transportation while on this trip. We have seen many of the Smart Cars, and grown quite fond of them. Kristin personally wants a little convertible one to bring home, but doesn't think it will fit in her suitcase. There are tons of Vespas, or scooters around - especially in the cities. Motorbikes come with two, or three wheels, and can have plastic covers. And then there are the Alfa Romeos - which Jean is enjoying a ride in with our friend, Mimmo, in Taranto. Oh, and the giant vans! That is what we are seen in occasionally. When in Brindisi, we called it the Fun Bus! It was pretty obvious that we were tourists from another country - especially when they saw how full the van was with all our luggage!!!

Here in Italy, kids get a license to drive Vespas or scooters at the age of 14. They can get their driver's license for a car (or macchina) at age 18, and a license for a motorcycle at age 21.

Driving and parking in Italy is one of a kind. People pretty much abandon their cars close to their destination, but sometimes they park at an angle, on the curb, or even 2 or 3 lanes into the street. It is crazy! Not sure if any of us have a good picture of the parking in Bari, but it was a riot. When driving in Italy, signs are really just a mere suggestion. People will plow through stop signs, slow down at 4-way intersections, and there is really no "right of way". But instead of getting annoyed that it is your turn to go, people just take turns and eventually get where they need to. On the highways, there is a lot of horn beeping. This is not a bad thing, but really just a "ciao - I'm beside you, and am going to pass you". Then, the people who have been driving down the center of the highway, straddling the dotted line, move to the right and let the car or Fun Bus pass. At times, it looks like a symphony of cars swaying in the wind. Quite an fun and interesting adventure:)

Submarine Base in Taranto

On May 21st, we were in the city of Taranto (not Toronto) in the region known as Puglia. Taranto is a naval city, with a history of being an important military point in Europe. It is where 3 of the 8 sections of the Italian navy are based. While there, we visited the Navy Yard, which included seeing the Arsenal of Ships stationed there, the military ships they are restoring, and learning about their submarine school. One of the best parts was going into the submarine simulators they have. Very cool!

Senise Rotary Presentation

When we arrived at Senise, a town in the south of Basilicata, we met our host families at a restaurant on a lake. It was beautiful. All the bouginvilla was in full bloom, the sun was shining, and the lake was shimmering.

That night, we returned to the same restaurant for a Rotary Club meeting. Our Group Study Exchange team from District 7890, gave a presentation. We gave it from a computer, and passed around small photo albums that we had prepared before the trip. These photo albums were a big hit for everyone! - I would recommend that future teams consider bringing them on their trips. Everyone likes our professional attire, and flag scarves and ties. I think the club was very pleased to have us there, and I think we represented our sponsoring clubs (Farmington, Avon, Simsbury-Granby, East Windsor, and Torrington) and District 7890 very well!

Oh, in the second picture is Daniela - one of the GSE Italy team members, who was from Senise, and had just returned from her trip to Connecticut and Massachusetts. It was nice to hear what a great time she had in the USA!

Castelmezzano

On May 14th, we spent the day in Castelmezzano. It is a gorgeous little town nestled in the middle of the Dolomiti Mountains. It has a population of 970 people, and according to some books, it is in the top 35 villages in Italy. While there, we took a little hike up in the mountains for some fantastic views. We also met the Mayor of the village (seen in the second photograph).

Across the valley is another little town called Pietrapertosa. Apparently in June there is a festival where someone ziplines between the two villages - maybe a mile long!!! Where can we sign up to do that???

Kristin - Vocational Day in Potenza

In Potenza, I had one of my best vocational days. I appreciate the work of Gaetano LaGuardia (Rotary GSE Chair in District 2120), as well as the clinic owner and his wife, who showed me around and answered my questions. So I visited a new Rehabilitation Center in Potenza. It opened a few months ago, and already it has a staff of about 45 therapists. This includes Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapist. And, they work both in the clinic, and doing home therapy services.

The building is huge, and very nice. It has about 20 or so examination or treatment rooms where therapists do everything from manual techniques to ultrasound to laser therapy. (There was quite a lot of laser therapy used to decrease pain). Then, there was a large gym that had exercise equipment and therapists that worked only there. Downstairs, there was a therapy pool (one of the few in Italy), as well as a combination set of pools - one warm and one cool - used to increase circulation.

They have done so well in this building, that they are planning on doubling the size. The part open works on Orthopedic services, while the part that will soon open will be for Neurological services - both adult and pediatric.

It was a fantastic Vocational Day experience. I will be sure to share more with my colleagues at CT Children's Medical Center when I return!

Ciao - Kristin