First Day at the Convention

Hello everyone

After some 8 days in London, we are now in Brimingham (along with half of America). We arrived yesterday afternoon, settled into our hotel in the city and registered. Last night, we decided to walk around town and observed some **interesting ** Birmingham characters out in the streets.

Birmingham is an industrial city (or was - it was known as part of the Black County during the Industrial Revolution which had many cities around it enveloped in black smog). Today it is filled with retail stores, and a massive convention centre. But I wouldn't want to live here if you're getting that impression...

So far, with the opening ceremony and the theme East Meets West was enjoyable. I don't know how many people there are but compared to last year's one in LA, this one is a little sedate and laid back. Maybe RI Presidents really do set the theme at each convention.

We've met many Americans who are always up for a chat. Mainly from North Carolina, Washington State and California. Although the ones from Texas stand a mile away with thier big hats.

I saw Barbara and Bill Chapman from our Rotary Club at the Yachting Fellowship stand yesterday and haven't met any other Australians yet although there was a loud cheer at the opening flag ceremony when the Aussie flag was displayed.

We had a major hiccup with the public transport this morning which meant that thousands of Rotarians were stranded at the city train station trying to get out to the convention centre. Luckily, the train system being the way it is (ie better than ours), a wait of ten minutes was more than acceptable for us. Soon we were all along our way and the throng of the crowds hit the arena in one swoop and we settled in quickly to listen to the presentations and to watch the entertainment. They had world reknown opera singers, dance troupes, midland highland dancers, tae kwondo displays.

If I don't write as often into this blog is that there are long queues for the internet cafe here.

Tonight the buses will take us to Warwick Castle for a medieval hog roast banquet, jousting and trebuchet display and all round revelry. Now, off to look around the exhibitors and see what we can do about some food....