Author:
Go Dashanique!
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Date Posted: Sunday, September 27, 01:53:52pm
“Tonight is the night!"
What can I say? Meeting over sixty beautiful and lovely young women from all over the world, in a beautiful and magnificent country such as Belarus - is an experience that I will cherish forever. As a correspondent for Critical Beauty and HJ Blog, I have followed the girls for two weeks. During the first week of their journey, the girls got acquainted with Belarus, its traditions, culture, places of interests. They've been to nearly all regions of Belarus, seen its most picturesque places like Belovezhkaya Puscha, the lakes of Braslavy. They went down into the caves of Soligorsk, visited the open air folk museum Dudutki where they charmed the crowd with their national costumes. In Grodno, at the courtyard of the new royal palace, the girls became princesses in a royal ball. In Gomel, they visited the park and the palace complex. One memorable event is a visit to the Gomel Cancer Children Hospital where the girls presented gifts to the little patients. in Mogilev, the beauties went to the zoo, to the astrologer's square, and to the monastery of Saint Nicholas.
Here's my last report, guys! It's been very hectic and stressful, but I am enjoying every minute of it!
Wednesday, September 22nd. As usual, the girls had their breakfast at the Hotel Victoria. I'd like to emphasize the fact that all meals are prepared with a special regimen for the girls so they can maintain their lovely figures. The meals are nutritious and delicious and there are always fresh fruit available. After breakfast, the girls left for the Football Manege Arena to start the general rehearsals. The girls practiced their opening number and their dance steps, along with Belarusian musical groups Drum Extasy, Khoroshki and Pesnyary. After the rehearsals, the girls returned to Hotel Victoria for a succulent and nutritious lunch. Then they returned to the arena for more practice. In the arena, the girls had their swimsuit fittings. I must say that the swimsuits are beautiful. I have never seen swimsuits so sexy and beautiful in my life like the ones that girls will be wearing during the finals! We're so used to seeing boring two-piece swimsuits in other pageants, but here in Miss Intercontinental the girls will be wearing not only sexy bikinis but also accessories that enhance and sensualize their figures. Even Victoria's Secret swimsuits cannot compare with those of the girls. After a long rehearsal, the girls headed back to the hotel to have dinner and then to retire for the evening.
Thursday, September 23rd. A very chilly day in Minsk and many of the girls have a cold, but WBO makes sure that everyone is taken care of. The girls who are sick were immediately attended by WBO's doctor and nurse. I also caught a 24-hour cold but thank God I feel much beter. During that day the girls had their first rehearsal on the stage. After a dinner at the hotel, they returned to the arena to practice their dance steps with the choreographer. I was invited to the Venezuelan embassy when Miss Venezuela Hanny Quintero (photo) paid a courtesy call. Hanny was invited by the Venezuelan ambassador to Belarus, Américo Díaz Nuñez. The ambassador received Hanny with all the honors. Hanny was also welcomed by all of the embassy employees who presented her with a bouquet of beautiful flowers. They served hors d'oeuvres and drinks. We drank coffee and Hanny was given a tour of the embassy. Afterwards, the embassador treated Hanny to a lovely dinner at the Mipcki Zamak restaurant which had been reserved exclusively for Miss Venezuela. Hanny was entertained with traditional Venezuelan music played with violin. When she heard the music, Hanny became emotional and burst into tears. Imagine being far from hymn and then you hear your country's hymn! That's unforgettable! After the visit to the embassy, we were taken to the opera theater which is a magical and beautiful place. Hanny was even happier of being there. Even I was touched by all the attention I was getting from the embassador and the embassy employees. Afterwards, we headed to ONT television station that produces the event; this time, the girls participated in a round table that was viewed online. They were asked questions formulated by Belarusian fans. Among the countries that participated included Misses USA, Netherlands, Thailand, Australia, Ghana, and Belarus. It was a rare experience for the girls; they managed very well and it was a success. From the TV station, the girls returned to the hotel to start their interviews with the judges - a decisive moment for many of the candidates. The interviews went very well and the majority of the girls felt satisfied with theirs. Despite a long and hectic day filled with many activities, the girls appeared relaxed and happy during dinner at the hotel.
Thursday, September 24th. They unveiled the new Miss Intercontinental crown at the palace of the republic. This crown has been heavily guarded by Belarusian authorities. Thousands of people flocked to see the new crown at the palace. After more rehearsals, the girls were allowed some free time to shop and to buy souvenirs for their friends and families. Overall, it was a low-key and easy day for the girls.
Friday, September 25th. Breakfast at Hotel Victoria. General rehearsal. Dress rehearsals in swimsuits, evening gowns and national costumes. The hosts also rehearsed their piece. Lunch at Hotel Victoria. Return to the arena for more rehearsals and to meet stylists, makeup artists and hairdressers.
Saturday, September 26th. Breakfast at Hotel Victoria. The rehearsals were conducted as if it were the finals. Lunch at the hotel, followed by a press conference at the hotel with the judges and with the current Miss International Cristina Camargo, with WBO and ONT.
Sunday, September 27th. Breakfast at the hotel and rest to get ready for the show. Artist sound checks: Morandi - Dmitrij Koldum - Dmitrij Bilan - Arash - Alexander Rybak - Lou Bega. Lunch at the hotel. Departure for the arena. Preparation for the concert hall. Ready for the show!
Note on the show: the production is grand and exquisite, as if you'll be seeing a joint production of Miss Universe and Miss World! It's very impressive and some 50,000 people are expected to attend the finals.
The Judges: Dr. Yasar Sarigul (Turkey, author, TV host and plastic surgeon); Keith Tynes (USA, singer and former member of the legendary Motown group, The Platters); Cristina Camargo (Colombia, Miss Intercontinental 2008); Rolf D. Raima (Germany, Vice-President of the hotel group Steigenberger Middle East); Deborah Lyra (Brazil, Top Model of the World 2008); Grigorij Kisel (Belarus, head of ONT TV Channel-Belarus); Olga Khizhinkova (Belarus, Miss Belarus 2008); Alexander Rybak (Norway, winner of International Song Contest, Eurovision 2009); Dima Bilan (Russia, winner of International Song Contest, Eurovision 2008); Oksana Fedorova (Russia, Miss Russia 2002); Detlef Tursies (non-voter; Germany, CEO World Beauty Organization-Europe).
Invited Artists: MORANDI, Dmitrij Koldum, Dima Bilan, Arash, Alexander Rybak, Lou Bega (Note: Dima Bilan, Arash & Alexander Rybak are products of Eurovision which is the most important singing competition in Europe and of which I am a big fan! It's a dream come true for me to see these three great artists on stage! I am getting verklempt! LOL!)
The Favorites for the crown: In my point of view, and based on my interaction with the girls during these last two weeks, my Top 5 are Belarus, Poland, Puerto Rico, Russia and Venezuela. Completing the top 15 are Afghanistan, Bahamas, Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Germany, Honduras, Martinique, Thailand and the Ukraine.
The dark horses are Czech Republic, Latvia, Panama, Slovak Republic and USA. Happy surprises could be Canada, Curacao, Georgia, Ghana, the Netherlands and the Philippines.
Miss Intercontinental 2009 Critical Beauty Awards
(Here are the 5 finalists for each category. After the finals are over, we will announce the winner for each category.)
CB Best National Costume: Bolivia - Colombia - Guatemala - Pakistan - Thailand
CB Best Body: Colombia - Poland - Puerto Rico - Swaziland - Venezuela
CB Most Beautiful Smile: Bahamas - Belarus - Ethiopia - USA - Venezuela
CB Most Beautiful Hair: Afghanistan - Colombia - Honduras - Poland - Venezuela
CB Most Beautiful Legs: Colombia - Ethiopia - Montenegro - Poland - Venezuela
CB Most Beautiful Eyes: Czech Republic - Russia - Slovak Republic - Thailand - Ukraine
CB Best in Swimsuit: Colombia - Greece - Puerto Rico - Poland - Venezuela
CB Best in Evening Gown: Bahamas - Colombia - Honduras - Russia - Venezuela
CB Most Beautiful Evening Gown: Afghanistan - Colombia - Honduras - Russia - Venezuela
CB Intercontinental Style & Elegance: Colombia - Ethiopia - Poland - Russia - Venezuela
CB Best Fashion Sense: Bahamas - Colombia - Poland - Russia - Venezuela
CB Sexiest: Brazil - Canada - Hungary - Martinique - Panama
CB Best Catwalk: Bahamas - Ethiopia - Martinique - Russia - Venezuela
CB Miss Personality: Belarus - Curacao - Canada - Martinique - Thailand
CB Best Stage Projection: Ethiopia - Ghana - Martinique - Russia - Venezuela
CB Miss Photogenic: Belarus - Ethiopia - Martinique - Puerto Rico - Venezuela
CB Intercontinental Face of the Pageant: Czech Republic - Ethiopia - Poland - Russia - Venezuela
CB Spirit Award: Afghanistan - Belarus - Colombia - Martinique - USA
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