IC 2005 & Alumni Congress 2005 Agra

When India won the bid for IC 2005, an unexplainable excitement began welling inside me…that feeling of goose bumps & anticipation. I knew come what may, where ever I may be, I would be there for it. And then here I was taking the flight to Delhi with a huge smile plastered over my face.

The pre stay at Delhi turned out to be the biggest party of the weekend. Turquoise Cottage will never be the same again.

Reached blazing hot Agra by 10 AM, we attempted to check in but were told to head straight to plenary. Opening plenary & introductions began at 10:30 with a lot of fun & enthusiasm. The hotel itself was great, 5 star comfort and my roomies for the weekend were Ron the Don & Sid p. Van, Sam & Indor had a room adjoining ours so we were all together more or less.

The first day was great and the first night was even better. The CEE party baby! Crazy central & easter European strikers…as my good friend Milan would say! So there were shots, shots & more shots the way shots should be… from glasses & not a gun. So I took Ron on a guided tour from Poland to Estonia to Russia to Ukraine….and by the time we were done Ron was all set to move to Poland & live there all his life!

In between I squeezed in a trip with VK to the IC venue where I met Brenda!!!!! I also met Pieternel!!!! & Rajiv!!!! I also met a few others who I’ve met from time to time in AIESEC so it was great to come back & reconnect. Also we had the DHL/PWC Alumni hall of fame awards...simply put awe inspiring & left me once again deeply impacted with the magical qualities that this organisation possesses for me. Blew me away & yet again reinforced my pride in being part of AIESEC.

Overall 2^nd day was great with good discussions & content and the UBS awards/formal banquet & the third day of course was the HIGHLIGHT when Aslam & myself went to the Taj Mahal! No words can justify its beauty so I shall not even attempt.

Pictures picture pictures:

pre stay: Indro's house :-) (although not sure why we're all leaning down...)



Debbie gearing up for Turquoise Cottage


Usual pre stay madness - here watching Sania reach the 4th round of the US Open


Relaxing during a break



With people from my 2nd favourite city in India: DU kuttes & one DI Don


Fighters!


Late addition to the Fighters but easily the cutest of them all



Room Partner!


The Devil Himself...my first taste of ale was thanks to this man Gaurav Katyal


My first impression of AIESEC came in the form of this man Sid Azad


Alumni Congress Delegates



Arrey Huzoor...Wah Taj Boliye! - the crowning glory of my entire trip!