My map of the world
Well, I have been to few countries and there is still lot of space to be filled...
create your own visited countries map
Friday, July 28, 2006
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
SDL 2006 - 1st conference in CAS
Here we go - the first conference experience, meeting many AIESECers at one place, sleeping few hours a day...
SDL (Leadership development seminar) - was conference for almost 50 delegates - mainly new AIESEC members. Based on the name of the conference it is not hard to find out, what is it about. But there was also second track of the agenda - TtT (Train the Trainer). TtT delegates were EB members plus international delegates - AIESECers from other countries or the trainees, who attended the conference, which resulted in 21 people from 11 different countries.
When I came to the site I was out of the breath for few minutes - I had a feeling that it cannot be true - such a nice place, perfect rooms for sessions, nice hotel rooms, but mainly... the plenary "room". Actually it wasn't a room, it was space with roof, but without walls, so we had outdoor plenaries...
During the opening plenary I realized, that I have to learn spanish until next conference - there were lot of internationals, but as lot of new AIESECers in CAS are not 100% comfortable with english, the main language of plenaries was spanish. Well, I have clear goal - mid october is my DDL. Otherwise it was very similar to our opening - chair introduction, LC roll-calls and also international roll-calls - I was asked twice for help, so I was part of AIESEC Hong-Kong, AIESEC US and I did Slovak roll-call (I was thinking also about the czech one, but I saved that for Sunday in order of not confusing delegates right at the beginning of the conference).
After that our TtT started - 18 delegates with very different profiles and backgrounds, 3 facilitators with very different profiles and backgrounds (Martin - born in Hong-Kong, but coming from AIESEC Canada, Lili - born in Romania, but coming from AIESEC Belgium and me - born in Slovakia, but coming from AIESEC Czech Republic). At the beginning I was worried, how it will be to have in group few LCPs and next to them trainees, who were for the first time at AIESEC conference, but at the end it was maybe better to have such diverse group of people, at least they could learn a lot also from each other.
TtT delegates...
And of course I was able also to learn much more from them - I have never facilitated such diverse group, and I see this experience as very important and valuable. It is cool to see so many nationalities being in one room and participating in discussions and simulations.
Bocas del Toro
My second trip - this time for the whole weekend.
Bocas del toro is the region in north west part of Panama, at Costa-rican border. It is one of the most famous tourist places of Panama because of beautiful beaches and nature. Well - it is definitely interesting place in the Caribbean sea - several larger islands and lot of small ones. To the Bocas (city, which something like capital of the while place) came from mainland by marine taxi - boat for 20 people - within half an hour. After finding accommodation in hotel we started to look for some tour around the islands.
As Bocas is depended on tourists, you are offered lot of different tours by local people immediately you come to the street, so within 10 minutes we joined one group and soon we we heading for the first stop - Dolphins' bay. When we came to the place, there were already several boats watching the dolphins in the bay - of course they were not jumping so high out of the water as we can see in movies and dolphinariums, but it was impressing show to see them in wild nature.
The second stop was Zapatillas Keys - two small islands little bit further from other ones. They are part of the Marine National Park. And the reason why we went there are the beaches. Yes - I was swimming in Caribbean :D :D :D. It sounds so fancy... As it is Caribbean, I think every European will imagine beaches full of rich people drinking cocktails... But it is the same see as lot of other sees - clear, salty, warm. After five minutes at beach I realized, that the fancy feeling is out and I wanted to carry on in the tour - mainly because I did not take any sunblock and I was getting to be a little bit red...
After few hours spent at beach we went to the third part of our tour - Hospital point, which is well know snorkeling area. Well - I did not see much and didn't find any shells or some interesting fish, which might have to conclusions - either I am half-blind or locals just "created" this place and take tourists there to have another attraction...
In the evening after coming back to hotel and having shower I realized, that the sun is a bit stronger here and that I burned myself. Next time I will know, that I should take some sunblock, if I don't want to look like roasted crab... I am just waiting, when my skin will peel off.
Bocas del toro is the region in north west part of Panama, at Costa-rican border. It is one of the most famous tourist places of Panama because of beautiful beaches and nature. Well - it is definitely interesting place in the Caribbean sea - several larger islands and lot of small ones. To the Bocas (city, which something like capital of the while place) came from mainland by marine taxi - boat for 20 people - within half an hour. After finding accommodation in hotel we started to look for some tour around the islands.
As Bocas is depended on tourists, you are offered lot of different tours by local people immediately you come to the street, so within 10 minutes we joined one group and soon we we heading for the first stop - Dolphins' bay. When we came to the place, there were already several boats watching the dolphins in the bay - of course they were not jumping so high out of the water as we can see in movies and dolphinariums, but it was impressing show to see them in wild nature.
The second stop was Zapatillas Keys - two small islands little bit further from other ones. They are part of the Marine National Park. And the reason why we went there are the beaches. Yes - I was swimming in Caribbean :D :D :D. It sounds so fancy... As it is Caribbean, I think every European will imagine beaches full of rich people drinking cocktails... But it is the same see as lot of other sees - clear, salty, warm. After five minutes at beach I realized, that the fancy feeling is out and I wanted to carry on in the tour - mainly because I did not take any sunblock and I was getting to be a little bit red...
After few hours spent at beach we went to the third part of our tour - Hospital point, which is well know snorkeling area. Well - I did not see much and didn't find any shells or some interesting fish, which might have to conclusions - either I am half-blind or locals just "created" this place and take tourists there to have another attraction...
In the evening after coming back to hotel and having shower I realized, that the sun is a bit stronger here and that I burned myself. Next time I will know, that I should take some sunblock, if I don't want to look like roasted crab... I am just waiting, when my skin will peel off.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Atlantic & Pacific ocean in one day
My first weekend in Panama...
And already a first trip. We went from Panama city, which is on the pacific coast, to Portobelo, which is harbor in Caribbean see. The distance is around 80 km, by car we were there within 1 and half hour.
The Portobelo is old city, in 16th and 17th century it was very rich harbor, through which the gold was being transported to Europe. People were leaving the gold pieces at streets, because noone was interested to steal it (according to what I was told...). Of course everything has its beginning and end, and the glory of the city finished after Pirates attacked and burned the city.
Now, Portobelo is a small city, but very famous tourist destination. There are still the ruins of the fortress with guns, but more interesting is the church in Portobelo. In this church you can find altar with El Nazareno - black-skinned Jesus as well known as black Christ... I don't know much about the history, but every year in October there is a big pilgrimage, where thousands of people are coming to this small town, which has about 5 000 people...
Another thing, which was interesting for me at this trip, was the fact, that I saw Caribbean see. It sounds very fancy, to be there, and I was excited about it. Now I can see that I was at Caribbean coast... But there is no much to talk about - it is still the Atlantic ocean, there is nothing so special about it. But it sounds cool, to e at Caribbean...
And already a first trip. We went from Panama city, which is on the pacific coast, to Portobelo, which is harbor in Caribbean see. The distance is around 80 km, by car we were there within 1 and half hour.
The Portobelo is old city, in 16th and 17th century it was very rich harbor, through which the gold was being transported to Europe. People were leaving the gold pieces at streets, because noone was interested to steal it (according to what I was told...). Of course everything has its beginning and end, and the glory of the city finished after Pirates attacked and burned the city.
Now, Portobelo is a small city, but very famous tourist destination. There are still the ruins of the fortress with guns, but more interesting is the church in Portobelo. In this church you can find altar with El Nazareno - black-skinned Jesus as well known as black Christ... I don't know much about the history, but every year in October there is a big pilgrimage, where thousands of people are coming to this small town, which has about 5 000 people...
Another thing, which was interesting for me at this trip, was the fact, that I saw Caribbean see. It sounds very fancy, to be there, and I was excited about it. Now I can see that I was at Caribbean coast... But there is no much to talk about - it is still the Atlantic ocean, there is nothing so special about it. But it sounds cool, to e at Caribbean...
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Moving to Panama
After few days spent in San Jose I moved to Panama, where I will be majority of time. I was getting used to the conditions here so I can now start from the beginning and learn, how everything works in Panama.
The trip was supposed to be 15 hours long, but as I am used to spent 10 hours in bus on my way home from Prague, I thougt, that it will not be a problem for me. Well...
I left San Jose on Wednesday at 1 pm, and the journey was passing quickly. We were going through mountiains, which surrounds the Central Valley, where San Jose is. The bus was comfortable, so I had no reason to complaint. But then we came to the borders. My friends told me, that it will take time, and the procedures will be long, so I was trying to find someone, who speaks english to help me, if I will need it. There was one french guy in the bus, which seemed, that it is not his first border crossing.
The procedure looks simple - you get out of the bus at Costa Rican side of the border, wait in the queue, till you get the stamp, then you move to the Panamanian side of the border, wait in the other queue, where you pay 1$ and get another stamp. After that you take your luggage out of the bus and wait until the customs officiers will check it and the bus can leave. I just cannot find out, why it took two hours...
But I crossed the borders almost without problems (just a small discussion with officier, because I did not have enough cash with me, and the credit card wasn´t enough for him) and continued in the journey. I fell asleep and wake up just few minutes before we crossed the Panama canal... It is nice view out of the bridge, when you see the huge ships sailing under you.
At the end the trip was bit longer - we had two hours delay, but fortunately Franklin (my colleague from the team - MC VP ER) was still waiting me, so soon in were in car driving to his home.
The trip was supposed to be 15 hours long, but as I am used to spent 10 hours in bus on my way home from Prague, I thougt, that it will not be a problem for me. Well...
I left San Jose on Wednesday at 1 pm, and the journey was passing quickly. We were going through mountiains, which surrounds the Central Valley, where San Jose is. The bus was comfortable, so I had no reason to complaint. But then we came to the borders. My friends told me, that it will take time, and the procedures will be long, so I was trying to find someone, who speaks english to help me, if I will need it. There was one french guy in the bus, which seemed, that it is not his first border crossing.
The procedure looks simple - you get out of the bus at Costa Rican side of the border, wait in the queue, till you get the stamp, then you move to the Panamanian side of the border, wait in the other queue, where you pay 1$ and get another stamp. After that you take your luggage out of the bus and wait until the customs officiers will check it and the bus can leave. I just cannot find out, why it took two hours...
But I crossed the borders almost without problems (just a small discussion with officier, because I did not have enough cash with me, and the credit card wasn´t enough for him) and continued in the journey. I fell asleep and wake up just few minutes before we crossed the Panama canal... It is nice view out of the bridge, when you see the huge ships sailing under you.
At the end the trip was bit longer - we had two hours delay, but fortunately Franklin (my colleague from the team - MC VP ER) was still waiting me, so soon in were in car driving to his home.
Costa Rica - first impressions
As I arrived in the evening, which was 2 am for me, I went directly to bed that day. Next day the whole experience was starting...
The first suprprise came, when I went to change the money. I knew before I came, that Costa Rica is living for soccer and that it is the most popular sport here, but when I saw the television showing a World cup match also in a bank - I realized, that the popularity of the game is really high. Later on I was told, that during the opening match (Germany - Costa Rica) the government announced the public holiday for that day - they knew, that anyway noone would be in work...
Another surprise came, when they were explaining me, how the navigation works. As they don´t use the names of streets, you have to be aware of the important landmarks in cities (church, soccer field, bank, ...). So when I need to tell you, how to get to the MC office, I would have to say: In San Pedro go from the south-east corner of the National bank 300 metres south, and then turn left and go another 50 metres. The biggest advantage of this system is that all Ticos (= Costa Rican people) are perfectly aware, where is north, south, east and west (which I don´t think many Europeans can say).
And of course - the weather. I was told, that in Costa Rica is currently raining season, which means, that it rains every single day. I like rain, but when I imagined, that it is going to rain for next 4 months, it was a little bit strange. But then I came to Costa Rica and did not experience rain for first four days. Well - I was lucky. But then of course it came - huge storm, like in Central Europe happens only few times a year. What is the good part of it, that it is regular - it is sunny in the morning and it is raining in the afternoon. So you see sun as well as rain every day. So it is different, but I think, I will get use to it quickly. And in San Jose the temperature is almost as in Central Europe - as it is in high altitude, it is colder than in other regions. Well, we will see, how it will be in Panama.
The first suprprise came, when I went to change the money. I knew before I came, that Costa Rica is living for soccer and that it is the most popular sport here, but when I saw the television showing a World cup match also in a bank - I realized, that the popularity of the game is really high. Later on I was told, that during the opening match (Germany - Costa Rica) the government announced the public holiday for that day - they knew, that anyway noone would be in work...
Another surprise came, when they were explaining me, how the navigation works. As they don´t use the names of streets, you have to be aware of the important landmarks in cities (church, soccer field, bank, ...). So when I need to tell you, how to get to the MC office, I would have to say: In San Pedro go from the south-east corner of the National bank 300 metres south, and then turn left and go another 50 metres. The biggest advantage of this system is that all Ticos (= Costa Rican people) are perfectly aware, where is north, south, east and west (which I don´t think many Europeans can say).
And of course - the weather. I was told, that in Costa Rica is currently raining season, which means, that it rains every single day. I like rain, but when I imagined, that it is going to rain for next 4 months, it was a little bit strange. But then I came to Costa Rica and did not experience rain for first four days. Well - I was lucky. But then of course it came - huge storm, like in Central Europe happens only few times a year. What is the good part of it, that it is regular - it is sunny in the morning and it is raining in the afternoon. So you see sun as well as rain every day. So it is different, but I think, I will get use to it quickly. And in San Jose the temperature is almost as in Central Europe - as it is in high altitude, it is colder than in other regions. Well, we will see, how it will be in Panama.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Sooo here we go.
I left Slovakia on 29.6. early in the morning. 4 flights were awaiting me that day and already the first one was delayed for half an hour. So I had just few minutes in Prague to run from one gate to another one to catch my other plane. But that time I was sure, that my luggage will not mange to catch that flight. Well - I took few more clothes with me to the on board luggage, just in case, so i was ready for that option.
I realized that, the World is small and AIESEC world is even smaller. At flight from Prague to Paris I was sitting next to two people from Slovakia and later we realized, that they are AIESEC members from @Bratislava going for CEED to Colombia. We also were together in one plane from Paris to Caracas... Well, things happen...
In San Jose I landed at 6 pm tico time (Costa Ricans are called Ticos, and everything connected to Costa Rica is ¨Tico¨), which was 2 am next day for me - so since I wole up it was already 22 hours. At passport control was no problem, but I was feeling, that something will go wrong - of course after half an hour of waiting for my luggage I gave up and went to the lugagge claim - another half and hour, but I at least knew, that my luggage is still in Prague and that as soon as it will arrive, they will bring it to place, where I will be staying. It took them three days, but I got it finally.
So that was my trip, other experiences I will post soon, so stay tuned
I realized that, the World is small and AIESEC world is even smaller. At flight from Prague to Paris I was sitting next to two people from Slovakia and later we realized, that they are AIESEC members from @Bratislava going for CEED to Colombia. We also were together in one plane from Paris to Caracas... Well, things happen...
In San Jose I landed at 6 pm tico time (Costa Ricans are called Ticos, and everything connected to Costa Rica is ¨Tico¨), which was 2 am next day for me - so since I wole up it was already 22 hours. At passport control was no problem, but I was feeling, that something will go wrong - of course after half an hour of waiting for my luggage I gave up and went to the lugagge claim - another half and hour, but I at least knew, that my luggage is still in Prague and that as soon as it will arrive, they will bring it to place, where I will be staying. It took them three days, but I got it finally.
So that was my trip, other experiences I will post soon, so stay tuned
Thursday, July 06, 2006
About me
Hi,
so here comes the first post in my new blog... Interesting, isn´t it?
But why did I start with this? As I want to let you know, that I am still alive and I don´t want to fill your mailboxes with bulk mails, i am going to use this communication channel.
So stay tuned fot the first news from Central America South - Costa Rica & Panama.
Duro
so here comes the first post in my new blog... Interesting, isn´t it?
But why did I start with this? As I want to let you know, that I am still alive and I don´t want to fill your mailboxes with bulk mails, i am going to use this communication channel.
So stay tuned fot the first news from Central America South - Costa Rica & Panama.
Duro
