10/02/2026
This week in Rotary Around the World, we’re heading across the Atlantic to Burgos, Spain, with one of our very own Tampa Rotarians. 🌍
Remember the theme song from Cheers? “Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came.”
Now imagine finding that sense of belonging somewhere nobody knows your name yet.
While waiting to check into his hotel, our member John Neukamm walked through Burgos’ main plaza and spotted a Rotary table at a community celebration. He stopped to say hello to Rotary Burgos Evolución.
Soon, he was connecting with fellow Rotarians, a Past District Governor, and two exchange students from Connecticut and Adelaide, Australia. Club president Raul Del Barrio shared their project providing portable incubators for premature babies. John shared our Tampa club’s history, exchanged contact information, and invited Raul to visit as his guest.
An afternoon walk became a connection across countries and generations, with service as their common ground.
We invest in our careers and make memories with our families. There’s also room to build friendships beyond our familiar circles. Through Rotary, that connection can begin thousands of miles from home with a simple hello.
The welcome we hope to find is also ours to extend.
Fellow Rotarians, have you found an unexpected connection while traveling? Share your story in the comments. ⇩⇩
Follow along for a new Rotary story each week. Interested in connecting with the Rotary Club of Tampa? Send us a message. A member will reach out, and we’d love to welcome you to a meeting.
