Fun in the Desert Sun

The Lighter Side of Global Conferences

Sardonic observations during a gathering of folks working in complex contexts.

The rising sun blazed hot on the desert sand in the distance; sending ripples of heat toward the white-washed walls of the ancient city. I carefully timed my breakfast to get me ready and downstairs in time for the last shuttle from the hotel to the meeting venue. Not alone in this, three or four others were making their way to the back lot where we are picked up. The bus was gone. We all stood around looking at our watches to confirm that indeed we were right on time. Three others arrived. I noticed that the time clock at the employees’ entrance was five minutes faster than everyone’s watches.

We piled into a couple of cabs. Wedged in next to me was the ample frame of Mr. I. M. Friendly from South Carolina who wanted to discuss where everybody was from, what organization, and what our ambitions were for coming to this conference. Apparently interested in everyone’s background and motivation except the local driver! I carefully evaded each of his queries, trying to drop some hints. Then finally turned and gave him that “Hello! What are you thinking?!” look. He got real quiet, then apologized after we arrived; admitting he’d forgotten where we were. Apparently the blazing sun, dusty streets, turbaned men and fully shrouded women all around our cab escaped his notice.

"Bless their hearts..."

The song leaders this morning are a sixty something couple who apparently consider themselves quite modern because they’ve learned how to sing (and write!) praise choruses. They shared their songs that might not have made the cut when “Kumbaya” and “Pass It On” were getting put into song books. It appeared that the wife (a warbling soprano) was the writer, because her husband (ploddingly strumming his guitar up front) seemed to be having a hard time figuring out how the lyrics fit into each line of music. Perhaps she should be writing rap…

Now we’ve got Al Borland up there; telling us about the state flower of Arizona. (It grows slowly. Some sort of illustration for work in the region.) Personifying the flower, his slow, methodical speech sets the drowsy tone for me for the day. Perhaps noticing some nods in the crowded room, he just told a joke about the Philippines, which appears to have offended the Filipino guy next to me. Oops. (There's the prickly part of his flower!) I think he was charged with delivering "inspiration," but having heard the theme of the main sessions, he’s instead doing a plenary speech on Mentoring and Mobilization. Feels like he’s spending an hour every morning restating the obvious.

Okay! Finally got a guy at the mic with something to say. “Don’t send money. Send us your business.” (ideas, contracts, expertise) People who start businesses, create jobs, are welcome throughout the world." Problem is, for most of these particpants, many of the terms he’s using regarding business (worker, companies, etc.) feel foreign. He’s leading a workshop later. I hope they give him a large meeting room.

Nov2002

Addendum: This sort of conference inspires, connects, and informs. And I do find them meaningful and constructive- in spite of my snarky attitude that day; instigated by the time-orientation "cultural incident" that morning.

In the ensuing years we continue to find, equip and place doctors, teachers, and coaches around the region. But also a number of business people; investing their skills, experience and very lives into individuals, micro-enterprises, and SME's. And, as that prophetic workshop leader promised, the host communities welcome, treasure, even protect our people among them.