Ian Geddes (back row fifth from left), members of the exchange team, and their Colombian hosts.
By Ian W. Geddes, past governor of District 1020 (Scotland)
I have many Rotary stories to tell but this one happened in Colombia. I was chosen by my district to lead a Group Study Exchange team to Bogota. As a Spanish teacher in Scotland my dream had long been to travel to South America. Having been chosen as leader and then having negotiated a sabbatical from my school, my team and I finally set off for Colombia.
One week into the trip, the day after we had visited the fabled El Dorado, I fell ill. At first I thought it was just altitude sickness as we traveled along the Andes at 11,000 feet above sea-level. But no, it turned out to be appendicitis.
Geddes recovering from the appendectomy.
As the surgeon went off to prepare for the operation, I broke down completely. End of dream – three to four weeks convalescence instead of exploring Colombia. Just then the wife of the district governor walked in and said she would arrange to get me back to Bogota – some four hours away- where I would get keyhole (minimally invasive) surgery …read more
Source:: Rotary International Blog
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