The day of the finals and the title of first runner-up
Excitement was in the air as we headed towards the venue for the Miss World Tourism pageant finals this morning. We arrived and were delighted by the size of the stage, which only emphasized the importance of this great event. We were impatiently waiting for the moment when we would present our countries to the whole world.
We devoted the entire morning and afternoon to rehearsing the choreography, because the final night had to look perfect. However, concerns crept in as the low temperature heralded a chilly night and a swimsuit presentation was a mandatory segment of one of the choreographies.
After the rehearsal, a team of hairdressers and make-up artists arrived to make sure we looked flawless at the finale. However, we were ready to face the cold and shine on stage, because we knew that every detail is important in the fight for the title. The clock struck seven, marking the beginning of the great event. The first presentation was in national costumes. In a red dress with motifs of the coat of arms of my country, artistically painted by hand Senke Tujković, I proudly stepped on stage. Bravely facing the cold wind and low temperature, I said my name and the name of my country, feeling the excitement pulsating in every moment.
It was the turn of the second presentation in swimwear. The assistants tried to warm us up before going on stage, making this difficult situation easier for us. The girls were shivering under the blows of cold and wind, but adrenaline, excitement and the desire to proudly represent our country made this moment bearable. We all breathed together with the soul of our countries, knowing that every moment on this stage means a step closer to the realization of our dreams. The third choreography brought a moment of presentation in formal dresses. In a glamorous creation Lidija Burić, with a corset embellished with glitter and crystals, and a long train with fringes, the color black exuded elegance and glamour. Every step on stage was like dancing in a sumptuous story.
At the end of the choreography, the moment came to announce the contestants who entered the top 10. Hearing the name "Montenegro" the excitement simmered even more strongly. I proudly stepped on stage, happy to have justified the trust of my country. Then the selected contestants were asked questions, and my task was to answer the question: "How would you promote the city of Quanzhou in your country, if you won the title?"
This challenge was followed by the announcement of the top five contestants, representing the narrowest selection. The atmosphere was tense, but despite my nervousness, I felt confident. The representatives of Poland, Brazil and China were announced as the fourth, third and second runners-up. When the name of my country was spoken for the position of first runner-up, there was a feeling of elation and chills that permeated my whole body. Aware that this is a great success for my country, and at the same time the highest ranking that Montenegro has achieved so far at these competitions, I stepped onto the stage even more proudly and received the award. I was satisfied with the fact that now the whole world will hear about my country. The winning title was taken by a beautiful representative of the Czech Republic, and after the announcement, we went to the gala dinner.
At the gala dinner, we enjoyed the congratulations of the competition organizers and representatives of the Chinese government. We summed up our impressions from the competition, took photos with ribbons that witnessed our success. In an atmosphere of joy, we shared experiences, talked about an unforgettable journey through the world of beauty. It was the moment when we realized that we had achieved something special and that this experience will forever be etched in our memories. We showcased the strength and beauty of diversity, creating lasting connections that transcend the boundaries of this competition.
The day after the final
Today started early, foreshadowing the pile of duties that await us. In a race against time, tight schedule and lack of sleep, I did not have time to fully summarize my impressions, and I am not yet aware of the success I have achieved.
A team of make-up artists and hairdressers was waiting for the top 5 contestants to prepare us for a professional photo shoot. In the studio, we took photos with the directors, organizers and sponsors of the competition. It was a moment when we radiated beauty and pride, aware of the importance of this experience in our lives. Despite the fatigue, the atmosphere was filled with the energy of success and togetherness. We shot commercials for the sponsors and promoted their products, and after that we learned a few words of Chinese with the directors and organizers. In return, I taught them how to introduce themselves in the Montenegrin language. One of the competition directors made me happy with a special gift. After learning that it was a brother Jackie Chan, he gave me as a gift a fan that Jackie used in one of his films. It was an extraordinary moment, and the fan became a symbol of the connection between glamour, the world of beauty and the splendor of world cinema, something that will remind me of this unforgettable experience. After the photo shoot, the assistant informed me that my shots from the final night of the competition had gone viral on Chinese social media. She emphasized that now everyone has heard of Montenegro, which was not the case before. She also said that she often receives comments that Montenegrin beauties are the most energetic and loud, and that Montenegro is not so "black" after all.
In the evening, we went to a gala dinner with the organizers and directors of the competition, where we summarized our impressions together. We all agreed that it was an exciting experience filled with challenges and friendship among beauties from different parts of the world.
After dinner, we had the opportunity to give an interview to the Chinese media. We answered questions about our experience at the competition, impressions of China and plans for the future. It was a special moment, because we consciously communicated with the Chinese audience, sharing our thoughts, emotions and perspectives. The interviews were an opportunity to show our gratitude to China as a host and to express our happiness for the opportunity to share our stories with people around the world.
After that, we went back to the hotel to pack and prepare for the return home.
Returning home aroused emotions
The day of returning home finally came. The parting was very emotional. I said goodbye to the girls, and we promised each other that we would visit each other. We have left behind numerous memories that will remind us of the wonderful period spent in China. We parted ways at the airport, and I headed to my gate.
The flight from Shanghai to Istanbul lasted a whole 12 hours, giving me an ideal opportunity to finally think in peace and summarize all the impressions. After arriving in Istanbul, I hurriedly headed towards the gate, worried that I would not be late for my flight to Podgorica. Outside the gate, I noticed two guys. Wanting to find out if we were on the same flight, I cautiously approached them, listening carefully to what language they were speaking.
Noticing my intention and lost look, they asked me if they could help me, in a typical Podgorica accent. At that moment, joy overwhelmed me because I was finally "among my own". The sound of the native language awakened in me a feeling of security and warmth. It was the moment when I realized that I was bringing home, not only memories of an incredible adventure, but also a strong sense of connection with my roots.
They helped me carry my luggage to the plane, after which we told each other about our adventures in Asia. We laughed at anecdotes, shared fascinating moments we experienced and shared impressions of the cultures we explored. It was like we had created a little oasis of home in the middle of the airport crowd.
Upon returning home, I was met at the airport by my family. I was overwhelmed by a whole range of emotions, from joy and excitement to nostalgia and reflection. As we walked together towards the exit, I felt as if I had returned home after a long journey. In that simple but deeply emotional scene, I realized how important the love we share with family is. The return was not only a physical coming home, but also a return to what is really important in life.
I was surprised by the support I received, not only from family and friends, but also from people all over Montenegro. Social networks were filled with warm messages, congratulations and encouragement. I felt like the whole community shared the happiness of my return, supporting me in the achievements and challenges I experienced in far away China. I realized how important it is to share my stories and experiences, because I can inspire and connect people on different levels. Now, with a heart filled with the warmth of support, I feel ready for new challenges and opportunities ahead.
Bonus video:
