Van Chitgo - The Art of Life

11am on a cold, blistery and snowy day in Bern, Switzerland. I sit with my legs stretched out and laptop ironically on my lap:) looking out to the beautiful parliament building and cathedral that define the 'skyline' of this gorgeous city. All I can really think of-is the last 4 days, which have undoubtedly been the most satisfying 'conference' experiences in my life. I dont know where to start and i dont know where to end. My body aches and screams at me for more sleep; but my mind is filled with a thousand images and conversations which make me want to smile, pick up the phone and generally make me want to get into action at the speed of light. I am sure some of you reading this know what im talking about.

Anyway, about the conference. The group picture is that of the facilitator team that comprised of very experienced aiesecers from ireland, india, macedonia, poland, romania, belgium, malta, slovakia , kenya and ofcourse switzerland.
Learning number 1 - bringing together such a diverse and international faci team for an agenda that can be simply defined as insanely complex would be beyond the reach and desire of many countries. But it just goes to show how a culture, when set for success and belief- can drive countries to raise the bar higher and higher every year. DO IT is part of swiss and international folklore. I knew it last year when I was a facilitator, I know it even more this year.
The organizing team this year was that from LC 'Lausanne' who have escaladed into becoming one of my favorite groups of people here in Switzerland. Hailing from the french speaking part of the country- these guys were sweet and hard working, not to mention funny and smiley at the same time:). A huge team, that needed to coordinate activities for 6 parallel agendas, about 15 different externals on one day- demanding delegates and events that ran way past midnight- I raise my glass to say 'salute'.....what a bunch....i want to go to lausanne once more to just hug them.

hmmmmmmmm what else? the conference ,on a professional note was satisfying to say the least. I was involved in directing discussions with a group of rather successful and progressive 'leaders' - i.e people who had taken up Executive board positions in thier local committees. A huge hug and thanks to chris, robyn, flo, aida, ananda, alizee - u guys are too cool for school....memories of days back in my LC - Delhi IIT flashed back so so so so so many times at this conference...it was awesome.

Fiesch rules. Theres no doubt about that- the conference site was breathtaking - flanked by the mountains, with snow enveloping the military base- one just needed to step out of the main plenary to get a view of a white sky and a land 'purified' by the gods in a way so serene that silence would very often be my only form of appreciation.
It irritates me that I took such few pictures at the conference. None with my team- the Member committee of @ in Switzerland- which I want to kick myself for. Some of the funniest times ive had were with the 4 of these crazy guys ealry in the mornings when we would be woken up at an unheard of hour like 7am, as well as the mad rush to get ready for Awards nights, global village events and parties all in the space of 4 hours....hahahaha...'robs rendition of pulling a cat out of his ass' had me in splits....one of the most pleasurable set of people Ive had the experience of working with- I hope they are congratulating themselves at this very moment :)

AIESEC in Switzerland - even after being here 2 months, having understood this country quite well and facilitating last year, never ceases to surprise me. The LC challenge evening was the example - I had my mouth mostly in a wide jaw -dropping expression (this was when I wasn't on stage with Patrick siffert- by far the funniest and wittiest swiss guy i know)...the theme this year was 'evolution and major events in history' and oh my god did these guys outdo themselves. From lavish costumes of the roman empire, to armours and swords for the knights of the round table, to dancing slaves and mummies from egypt....i was in splits....unfortunately dont have any pictures right now- but will positively upload them. It was to die for.
This posting, conversations I have and pictures I share ; none of them can fully describe just how amazing this conference was . I saw tears, frustration, friendship, laughter, respect, joy, ambition, learning and pure satisfaction of being alive - in a lot of people around me and ofcourse myself. What more can you want? So many things to do from here, so much excitement about the future....all I can say is, ' What am I waiting for ?' :)

Posted by chitgo on Monday, November 28, 2005 at 11/28/2005 03:38:00 PM | Permalink