|
| This is part of the article Laxmi wrote about her Friendship Visit to the Great Northwest. It appeared in the Soroptimist International of Calcutta Charter Night Newsletter. If you wish to obtain a copy of the full report just let me know. - KP | ||
|
Reminiscences
from a Grant of Friendship visit
Dr. Laxmi Parasuram (in her own words) A Grant of Friendship (GOF as it is fondly called) from a group of Soroptimists from another country can often become a treasure house of happy memories for the chosen ones. The ready friendship as well as the generous goodwill that the “best of women” generate for each other on such occasions speaks volumes for the best of Soroptimist objectives – that of promoting international goodwill and understanding. My first night at Port Angeles was with Debbie who has a spacious mansion on a hill far away from the town. When night and silence settled on the lonely mansion with its few inhabitants, one could hear the horses in the nearby stables and the howls of coyotes at a distance. Next evening I shifted to Marge’s, nearer to the town, and had a great time attending a play of Moliere put up by a church theater. Then there were visits to different schools, lower and upper levels, as well as to hospitals, old age homes and even to some new real estates coming up in new developments of the town. A memorable visit was to a hospice run be a venerable old nurse, Soroptimist Rose Crunb, who, sitting in a small office with a few computers and telephones, managed to send volunteers, equipment, medicines and other services to the terminally ill people of the vicinity. My next halt was at Sequim (pronounced Squim), which impressed me as a never-never land with hills, mountains, valleys, beaches, fruit and vegetable gardens as well as lavender fields. Sequim is considered a resort for retired people and no wonder; SI Sequim has many members from the retired category. My hostess Marti, a book-shop owner, had so many books all around her house that I could have spent all my time quietly sitting and reading in her house! But, no! Sequim members are a jolly lot who love to take visitors driving through winding roads, up and down the hills pointing to all the lovely spots. |
The ancient lighthouse at Dungeness Bay, the grazing elks, a small animal farm, a huge farmer’s market; all these lent their charm to Sequim. The lavender fields spread their scent to neighboring fields and a visit to a lavender factory showed up a number of items stamped with lavender hues and fragrance. My departure from Sequim early morning on the fourth day of my arrival there is indeed unforgettable. One of the members who had a plane of her own decided to drop me at my next halt, which was Friday Harbor in the San Juan Isles. As the plane took off over Wanderfuca (Juan de Fuca) and the Pacific ocean I was asked to watch for whales in the vast sea beneath, but all I could see were small dots which were indeed islands which I was told could run to 700 or more. The flight was over in 20 minutes and we were in Friday Harbor, which would have taken at least 7 hours to reach by road and ferry. My Soroptimist hostess, Eileen drove me straight from the airport to her newly opened Trumpeter Inn, and I was checked into the exclusive Yarrow Suite as a welcome visitor. Almost the very first engagement I had in Friday Harbor was to go whale watching with Nancy Hanson and Mary Rose in Captain Mayas’ boat. The trip took more than 3 ½ hours during which we could see several Orcas whales frolicking around in the frothy waters never revealing themselves in their full length or size. We also saw several resting sea lions, elephant seals, porpoises, bald eagles and so on. Next
day I attended the Soroptimist meeting where I was introduced to several
members, one of who was Farhad Ghatan, the only male Soroptimist I have
ever seen. Fsrhad, they said, was a gourmet cook besides being a businessman
and a pilot, and I was privileged to being treated to a distinguished
meal prepared by him in the evening… |
|
|
||
|
|
SI Sequim |