The Rotaract Mediterranean Meeting (M2R) is an annual conference that kicks off the Rotary Year with the goal of providing training for incoming Country Representatives and fostering international exchange among participants. This year, Egypt had the honor of hosting the event, which took place from the 28th of August to the 6th of September. Our club was excited to be part of this fantastic journey, with two of our members, our Club Advisor, Wael Merhi and our PR Director Nathalie Fakhereddine representing us alongside other rotaractors from 11 other countries.
The M2R adventure began with a spectacular start in Cairo. We kicked off the conference with registration and a delightful dinner at Ghazal Elreem, where we savored authentic Egyptian cuisine, immersing ourselves in the rich cultural flavors of Egypt and setting the tone for the days to come. The highlight of our time in Cairo was an expedition to the iconic Pyramids of Giza and a tour of Old Cairo streets. In addition to these incredible experiences, we also had the chance to go kayaking on the Nile, explore the intricacies of religious complexes, step back in time as we visited the Museum of Civilization to delve into Egypt's rich cultural heritage, and culminated our stay with a memorable Nile cruise.
El Gouna, the pulsating heart of M2R, came alive on our first day with the vibrant opening ceremony, setting the stage for an extraordinary journey of international friendship.
Here, we created country booths where we shared our diverse cultures through a delightful array of food, drinks, and souvenirs. Each country also had the opportunity to teach their unique dance style, further enhancing our cultural exchange.
Proudly representing our country, we shared not only delectable drinks and nuts but also the soulful tunes of our culture. As the day unfolded, we even had the privilege of teaching attendees the art of dabke, a moment that added depth and meaning to our cultural exchange.
Sustainability took center stage as we created organic, chemical-free body and face products, including tooth-paste, body scrubs, and face masks.
Downtown and the marina came alive during our night out, and we had an important board meeting to discuss the future of Rotaract. Of course, beach time was a must, and we wrapped up our El Gouna adventure with a grand gala dinner. During this special evening, we exchanged flags with fellow delegates, celebrated the success of M2R, and listened to our advisor and Rotaract Mediterranean's Advisor, Wael Merhi, as he delivered a heartfelt speech, thanking the organizing committee and the president for their incredible efforts.
Our M2R journey culminated in Alexandria, a city steeped in history and culture. We savored delicious dinners and took in the sights at Africa Park. An Arabian traditional dinner gave us a taste of local flavors, and we had the privilege of attending an event hosted by the Rotaract clubs of Alexandria.
We also explored the Greek and Roman Museum, marveled at the Qaitbay Citadel, and enjoyed a memorable night out with fellow delegates, cementing the friendships we had formed over the course of the conference.
M2R El Gouna 2023 was an unforgettable experience, filled with cultural exchanges, learning opportunities, and moments of pure joy. Our club members, Nathalie and Wael, returned with hearts full of gratitude and memories to last a lifetime. We are immensely proud to have been part of this international gathering that embodies the spirit of Rotaract and Rotary: "Service Above Self."
We extend our thanks to the organizing team and all those who made this incredible journey possible. Until the next M2R adventure, let's continue our commitment to making the world a better place, one act of service at a time.
