the obligatory posting from a new country - Turkey

Hello dear readers,

Yes, I have turned up in Turkey on a last-minute visit to an AIESEC Turkey national conference! Since I seem to be posting once for each country visited so far on my journey, I thought I should blog.

I am in the MC office in Istanbul. As advertised, it is a beautiful, large office, complete with a sitting room and television, shower, kitchen and even a dishwasher! You can imagine how jealous I am considering I'm still living in an apartment sans-fridge.

The conference was great and I felt very warmly welcomed. The main purpose of my visit is to promote the mentorship partnership we're building between AIESEC in Serbia & Montenegro and AIESEC Turkey. I met with most of Turkey's 11 LCs, facilitated a discussion about the international MC experience (even had a short video interview - I'll try to get the file) and co-delivered a session about which I received very positive feedback, which is always welcome but particularly so in the middle of a term where I seem to receive negative feedback all too often, a lot of which I think (hope) is due to the culture - not just Serbian culture, but also the culture in AIESEC in Serbia and Montenegro, which I hope our team will help to change for the better - and not strictly a reflection of my performance. This aspect of the culture has been very trying for me, particularly because (as those of you who know me know) I tend to take criticism to heart. On the bright side, it is a learning and personal development experience for me :)

Istanbul is a beautiful city and I hope to see more of it tomorrow before I return to Belgrade (on a 24 hour train ride!). I spent most of today chilling out first at the MC flat and then at the office. Then some of the MC guys took me out for dinner at Turkey's answer to McDonald's, and then to a shisha (sp?) bar :) (memories of NPM 2004 came flooding back - miss you guys!)

OK time to head back to the flat and bed!

Namaste from India!

This is a quick blog update since I am actually in a conference session! But for those of you who have been checking this and waiting to see something new, here you go finally!

I am at AIESEC's International Congress 2005 in Agra, India, the home of the Taj Mahal. I have seen the Taj from a distance; unfortunately I have yet to actually go to the site and see it. Hopefully I will have a chance either at the crack of dawn one of these days before sessions, or after the conference ends.

Although I haven't seen too much of India, what I have seen has been amazing. It was not quite what I expected - I haven't seen throngs of people, and I wasn't absolutely overwhelmed when I arrived (although granted, it was 1:00 am), however things like rickshaws - and actually riding in an autorickshaw :) - and stray cows - it's cool. I was also really enjoying the Indian food here until I got very sick from it. A lot of people have fallen ill - either from the food or the air-conditioning - so I was in good company! I'm feeling much better now though, and am less adventurous when it comes to meal times!

For the AIESECers reading this, this IC has been amazing! If you're not here - I'm sorry! The agenda and content have been fantastic. Also, it has been great to see so many old friends, and people from home! :)

Unfortunately I don't have time for more right now....see ya!