The road to Steemfest: Memories of Krakow

I have seen a few people I know posting about #TheRoadToSteemfest as part of the build-up to SF4 in Bangkok. Hive account@anomadsoul reached out to me to do a post too.

I am treating this as a combined post to include #FollowFriday as everyone mentioned here is worth checking out.

I wish I had gone to Amsterdam for the first Steemfest, but I was still fairly new to it and a bit nervous about mixing with all those people . By the time of SF2 in Lisbon I knew lots of folk and wanted to meet them. People made me so welcome and I was amazed how many knew who I was. SF3 was announced fairly late, but I decided I wanted that experience again and Krakow is fairly cheap to get to from the UK. I paid for both of my trips out of my Steem earnings. That was a big chunk of my SP, but well worth it.

My trip started well by meeting Hive account@redrica and Hive account@shanibeer at Luton airport. Then we met @LukeStokes and his family as we boarded the plane. Hive account@cryptogee was also on our flight, but did not make himself known until we got to the other end.

I stayed at the same hotel as a lot of other attendees. That was more expensive than something like Air B&B, but conveniently located and with the benefit of having lots of people to meet for breakfast, including Hive account@meno, Hive account@brian-rhodes and Hive account@felixxx.

Day one was in a converted tram shed. We were wearing headphones due to dodgy acoustics and so two stages could operate in the same space. I think that is Hive account@tarazkp 'photobombing' the shot.

It was a lovely day with some musical interludes outside care of Hive account@camuel, Hive account@steembirds and myself (on ukulele).

I did sit in on lots of presentations. I learn about all sorts of projects this way, but you can also just chat with people to see what they are doing.

There was bowling in the evening where I formed a team with Hive account@detlev, Hive account@slobberchops and Hive account@bingbabe. We did not win. I should say that food and drink through the day is included in the ticket price, so you do not have to worry about those.

The second day was at a conference venue by the river. I sat in on a round-table with the Hive account@dtubedaily guys who had an amazing variety of cool gear.

I got a load of people to sign my ukulele, including organiser extraordinaire Hive account@roelandp who never seemed to stop moving.

There was an opportunity to visit Auschwitz on the Saturday, but I decided not to as that is something I would rather do with my family, but I know a lot of people were deeply touched by it. I went on a river cruise instead and then explored the city a little more. Krakow is beautiful and this was my first visit to Poland.

That evening I went to an event run my the Hive account@esteem team, led by Hive account@good-karma. They are doing really cool stuff. Have you seen their search engine

That was followed by a pub crawl led by Hive account@detlev. I only had a couple of beers as I was flagging by then.

With Hive account@slobberchops

I really should have stayed for the final evening meal down the salt mine, but I had a great time anyway. Steemfest tends to be pretty non-stop and most people lose their voice after a while as there is so much to talk about.

I am really not sure if I will go to Steemfest 4 in Bangkok. It will be a bit more expensive and I am keen to build up my SP at the moment. I am also cutting down on my flying a bit. If you can go then I really recommend it as you are bound to have a great time. Even if you cannot then look out for more local events or organise one yourself. Even if you meet one more Steemian you are likely to benefit.

Here are some posts by folk I know:

• @ElizaCheng should be at SF4
• @ReviseSociology has booked his flights
• Hive account@detlev did his beer thing in Krakow.
• Hive account@slobberchops had a good time at SF3
  There are lots more. Just check out the #RoadToSteemfest tag.

Steem on!

The geeky guitarist and facilitator of the 10K Minnows Project.

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