Several days ago I did start writing about the AIESEC International Congress Opening Ceremony (see below). I was also going to write about and upload pictures from the Alumni Congress; the inspirational people I heard and met; the parties; interacting with the current AIESECers from almost 100 countries around the world as well as other adventures in Istanbul. However, I have a cold and don't feel like it. I will write, though, that I am very much looking forward to celebrating AIESEC's 60th anniversary at the Alumni International Congress in Brazil, August 2008.
The holy Muslim month of
Ramazan (Ramadan) started this evening (12 September) in Turkey. I knew it was coming up and didn't think much of it. Yes, some people would refrain from smoking, eating and drinking during the day and totally refrain from alcohol in the month, some restaurants would be closed and so-forth. However, it was not until this afternoon that I remembered the drummers would be in full force come the early morning--DAMN. Unfortunately, I doubt the
proposed ban was enforced. In approximately 2 hours I will find out!
For more Ramazan/Ramadan stories check out
nomadlife's Ramadan
blog.
Very soon I will post a major update on life so stay tuned!
As promised, following is my incomplete AIESEC International Congress Opening Ceremony story:International Congress (
IC) is
AIESEC's main international meeting, held in a different AIESEC member country each year. This year the 59th IC was in Istanbul, Turkey. The main congress location was
Yeditepe University's main campus on Kayisdagi, Asian Istanbul with certain events held elsewhere. The congress was opened on Tuesday 21 August at the Lutfi Kirdar Congress Centre in Nisantasi, near Taksim, European Istanbul.
Speeches were given by Congress Committee President
Ajda Mustafova, AIESEC Turkey Member Committee President Candost Bayraktar, AIESEC International President Gabriela Albescu, Hewlett Packard Executive Kathy Jackson, AIESEC Turkey's Board of Advisers Honorary President Nihat Gokyigit and Istanbul Greater City Mayor Nihat Gokyigit, along with 2 performances by
Anadolu Atesi ('Fire of Anatolia') and
Semazen ('Whirling Dervishes').
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Labels: aiesec, ramazan - ramadan, turkey - istanbul
Subheading:
On The Train AgainLater today I will endure the 20 hour
train journey north through the Taurus Mountains and west over the Anatolian Plain to Istanbul. I'm heading to Istanbul primarily for the
2007 International AIESEC Alumni Congress but also to catch up with friends and enjoy Istanbul. My stay will last approximately 12 days--the longest I will have ever been there. Every previous visit was always rushed.
For years I have wanted to travel long distance by train in Turkey. Train travel contains a certain romance that one does not receive on the buses. In Turkey trains run slower and far less regularly than the inter-city buses and I never previously had the time to catch the train to Istanbul, Ankara or elsewhere. For example: from Mersin I have to take the 12:45 pm train to Yenice and then the 14:35 train to Istanbul. In total: approximately 20 hours. If I miss this journey my next opportunity to take the train is 24 hours later. In comparison, 6 bus companies (Ulusoy, Varan, Mersin VIF, Koksallar, Mersin Koc and Mersin Seyahat) each offer faster (about 13 hours in duration) multiple, daily Mersin-Istanbul services in modern luxury buses. At 36 YTL versus 45-65 YTL the train is cheaper though.
The 2003 South Australian Leadership Development Seminar was the last
AIESEC congress I attended so I'm really looking forward to the upcoming congress. This is particularly true since it is focused on alumni and many inspiring people will attend. Partying and interacting with the 600
main congress attendants will also be huge.
I can't wait to see Taner, Medine teyze & family, Fati and Matt, Kerem, Burcu, Ajda, Ozge, Emre, Chris, Ela, Bea, Tugba, Yogesh and other friends (apologies for omissions.
Bring it on Istanbul!
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Labels: aiesec, turkey - istanbul, turkey travel
The Antakya trip did not happen as expected although it may be on next weekend. The Colombia night did occur, though, and Lady Yohanna and Dafne (a trainee in Gaziantep) put on a great show.
Neither Aylin or I knew where the new AIESEC office was (despite having the address). We eventually found it in Karincalar after receiving telephone instructions.
The evening began with a PowerPoint presentation, then Colombian food followed by dancing. The audience consisted of
AIESECers,
hangers-on (like myself) and 6
Erasmus exchange students from the Czech Republic, currently studying at the local
Cukurova University. I met with several AIESECers I hadn't seen for a long time, including Mete and Kadriye.
Dafne and Lady presenting Colombia
Lady and Mete
Lady and Dafne demonstrated the Salsa and other Colombian dance styles. Dafne, in particular, is a brilliant dancer.
Lady, myself, Aylin and Dafne
Pearl Jam, Colombian styleFollowing the presentation made our way to the old AIESEC trainee haunt of Cazara Nightclub on Ziyapasa
Street. This was the place I spent
New Years Eve 2003-4 in.
A special thank you to Mete for that birthday tequila and letting me crash at his place.
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Labels: adana, aiesec, friends
