It's 6 a.m. and in a little under five hours I will be on a plane to Krakow heading on my way to Steemfest! As usual before I travel I am nervous about trains going wrong, unusually heavy traffic and eventually missing my flight. Which often leads to me getting to the airport several hours before my flight.
In fact I've just been staring at train times from my house, and try as I might, I can't imagine taking the train that gets me to the airport an hour and a half before my flight, it just seems like I'm cutting it too fine.
I've missed one flight in my life, I don't intend on ever adding to that tally.
[sigh]
Looks like it's the airport diner for me then.
Something To Say
As some of you may have realised by now, I will be talking at Steemfest. A couple of weeks ago I asked for your help on what subject I should talk about.
After much agonising, and about twenty half finished drafts, I finally settled on Life on The Blockchain. The talk will focus on stories, my story, your story, our story.
Hopefully I have made it entertaining enough to keep your attention, and I can't wait to be there up on stage talking to you all.
Somewhere To Stay
I've gone for an Air bnb apartment situated in Kaziemierz which is the old Jewish quarter of Krakow and where the two Steemfest hotels are situated.
I prefer staying in apartments these days for a few reasons. First and foremost it's a price issue, the apartment is costing me roughly 50% of the cheapest single room and of course I get much more space.
Secondly when you stay in an apartment it forces you to sample the local culture in a way that you probably wouldn't bother to if you're staying in a hotel.
Seeing as there is no hotel bar, room service, or free meals, you have to go shopping almost as soon as you arrive. This of course forces you to find shops to buy food and perhaps learn a few words in the local language.
Connections
I have made many connections in the 2.5 years I have been on Steemit, and I'm looking forward to making many more. I have ideas for projects on Steemit and hopefully the people I meet will somehow come into play.
At the end of the day we're all early adopters of what is proving to be a disruptive and innovative platform. When I look back on these early days in a few years time, I want at least one Steemfest to remember. Though I'm fairly sure this won't be the only one I attend.
Fellow Londoners
I'm flying out of Luton airport on the 11:30 flight, I've already hooked up with a couple of you in Steemit chat. So if anyone else is on that flight, then please message me on Chat and let's all hook up!
Last Minute
OK, I'm off to make last minute packing checks, have a shower and generally panic about missing my flight!
See you in Krakow!!
Title image: Suhyeon Choi on Unsplash