Around the world in 24 hours in Amsterdam

Zoe, Maria Farres, Marcio ... Thank You for Making My Weekend so Special.... One of the best weekends in my entire life..... no exageration.... It indeed was......

My weekend started off brilliantly after a rough week...

- went to the AIESEC in Belgium Alumni Event... Met and reconnected with several Belgian AIESECers... people that I had met in NTMS 2002 in October. Finally met Eva, MCP of Belgium. Met Migz for the first time after IC in Germany. It was my first AIESEC event that I attended after finishing my last AIESEC position... It was good to be back.. good to reconnect with what the organisation strives for. In a way I am still living AIESEC cause of my traineeship, however I wanted to be distant from all of it, just to take a step back and do other things....

Lately I was questioning myself whether the qualities and competencies I gained from AIESEC is of use in my current position in DHL. Friday did make me realise that the qualities I gained are relevant, I just have to learn on how to apply them.

I know that it is very tough to start a real full time position after AIESEC in another organisation... I knew it. I thought I was prepared because of all the other people that went through it... but unfortunately, no matter how much you think you are prepared, you still have to go through it....

Whilst talking to Zoe, Maria and Marcio about their experiences at ABN AMRO I realised that we are all very lucky to be working with such a huge organisation. This is a mind opening experience and I am very glad that it came my way! I know not what will happen after... but it is opening my eyes as to what I would like to do in the future...

AMSTERDAM... and the REST OF THE WORLD

This was my first weekend trip after I finished my thesis... and It was the BEST EVER!!! I stayed at Zoe's place.. wonderful apartment, perfect hospitality..... amazing PERSON

I didnt go to Amsterdam to discover the city. It was my 4th time there so I just wanted to focus on catching up with Zoe, Maria and Marcio.. but the word catching up does no justice to what I experienced this weekend.

Imagine... 24 whole hours of non stop conversations about anything and everything...

- Previous AIESEC conferences, counting the times I met Marcio, Zoe and Maria - and of course the legend one.. IPM 2002 in Malta :)

- Our respective traineeships.. Ups and Downs.. Learning points....

- Cooking.... :) Wonderful oriental dinner that Zoe and Maria prepared...

- Wine, wine.. and more wine...

-Chai, Tea... and more tea :)

I also felt I was sailing through the oceans .... hopping from one continent to the other .. Maria Farres was inspiring us with her experience in Uganda and Africa

Zoe was relating about her adventures in India and about Australia, her home country! This is why I named this post... "Around the world in 24 hours"

Meeting people from allover again, yet again, fulfilled me...... listening to their stories, perspectives.. views about life and the world, social problems and conflicts of countries....

...Simply unique moments...

I also met Marcio after 3 years.. Even though he came late.... (and soaking wet due to a storm) I loved seeing him... Who would have thought that Marcio, Zoe and Maria.. would be so close to me... just 3 hours away!!!!

I also bumped into Vaibhav, Brenda.. Met Rajiv's super amazing sister.. Sarika and met the man himself :) Rajiv.. We had a mouth watering Indian Lunch at Sarika's place with Marcio, Zoe, Rajiv, Maria and Sarika's house mates...

Just to give you a taste of the weekend

Maria, Zoe and I... touring Amsterdam :)

Exquisite lunch that Sarika kindly prepared for us :)

Adorable Flat mates and friends for life.. Marcio and Maria

Marcio and I....was magical seeing him after 3 years........ he remained pretty much the same person.. only sweeter, more sensitive..... and loving....

Sarika and I... amazing girl with a Dutch/India sense of humour

My next trip is this coming weekend, going back 'home' to Praha.... 5 sleeps... and will be reconnecting with other amazing individuals.... :)