District Conference - Sunday

This was our moment. Five minutes on stage in front of potentially more than 1,000 Rotarians. In Japan Rotary is much more exclusive and these would be very high ranking people.

We listened to Bhichau Rattakul’s 40 minute keynote speech and then as he was nearing the end we were taken to the side of the stage. In some ways this was like getting on a ride at Universal Studios Japan as we were moved ever closer to the moment of take off. We were really playing this by ear but last minute worked out that we should bow to the Japanese flag as we went on stage.

We had decided to address the audience only in Japanese as a mark of respect to our hosts. I think it was OK from what people have since said but they are very polite people anyway. Then we handed over our gift of a presentation box of Penderyn Whisky to the DG, and not a moment too soon as I was about to drink the stuff myself to calm the nerves.
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Afterwards we were invited to a private audience with Bhichau which was so important as his impressions of us would be taken into account when he submits his report on Japan to Rotary International and in the context of this worldwide programme. I really have a team to be proud of and they were less fazed by this than me and consequently everybody enjoyed this meeting.

Finally we presented at a 2 hour discussion group for Japanese alumni of the GSE and Ambassadorial Scholarship Programmes which is my scene and for me was a perfect way to close a memorable 24 hours.