ICM 2007 - 5th December, The Beginning
December 5th, 2007 by icm2007Walking out of the exit gate, I immediately saw Julia, holding the “ICM” sign - great relief after a long long flight from home, Kuala Lumpur. At the same time Julia’s collegue, Ivo, is already waiting in his van, outside Sofia International Airport. From there it’s another 30 minutes van journey to reach hotel “Club Vladaya”" - ICM 2007’s venue.
Hotel “Club Vladaya” - and SNOW!
The hotel “Club Vladaya” is situated in a magnificent century-old park on the Southern slopes of the Liulin mountain, 1000m above the sea level. Traveling along Sofia-Pernik road we have to turn into a smaller, bumpier road and surrounded by beatiful snowy landscape. Right after Vladaya village, the kidney-shaped hotel stood magnificiently in front of us. So basically all our tiredness, jet lagged or coldness were washed away when we finally arrived at the ICM venue!
Hanea and James, looking serious in APM
It is 1530 hrs and I arrived in just in time for the second session for pre-ICM APM. Among the items discussed are evaluation of Asian LTV, regional cooperation, emergency relief aid to typhoon in Sri Lanka and recommedation to ICM.
Gerbina, briefing the ICM new comer
After dinner, our IEC member, Gerbina chaired a special meeting for ICM newcomers. All first-timed participant was brief about ICM rules and procedures, certain terminologies used in ICM and clarify if not all, most of our doubts.
Horo - traditional Bulgarian dance
The night continues with lots of music, dance and new friendship. ICM participant were being taught some Bulgarian traditional dance, Horo - what a way to end our first day in Vladaya! Tomorrow, though, things are getting a little more serious - the official start of ICM 2007!
On behalf of ICM 2007 reporting team,
@LOW@