I know I am really lagging behind with my Steemfest re-caps and I could give you many reasons for this. I could say I've been hiding away in the Irish bog while crying about Hive account@ned's recent announcement and the price of Steem. I haven't. Of course, it's all a bitter pill to swallow, but you could say many things about me, but never that I'm a quitter or give up easily. To be honest, I see many things as a challenge and this is one of them. A challenge to give more of myself, and work even harder within the community here to help get us out of the dark ages. Another reason could be that I can't bring myself to let go of Steemfest just yet. Something that's partly true, because I know of course that it's over, but that doesn't mean I have to let go of the feeling of it all too. Truth is, I like to be behind on this a little, and if anyone remembers my posts from last years' fest, they'll also remember that some of it came about a month after.

photo of the river Wisla, taken from our first apartment balcony, on the day we arrived

So here we go. Steemfest3, Day 1 - Enjoying the sun and Bear Bowling

Impression of the inside of the Stara Zajezdnia (Old tram depot)
It may look a bit empty in this huge hall, but that's probably because there were so many of us outside enjoying the sun and a chat.

Like below:

Seems like our German friends Hive account@lex030 and Hive account@datristan are exchanging ideas via their phones.

Hive account@future24, always ready for a photo 😊 and Hive account@shortcut, who I 'battled' for the Steemfest ticket that I won in an auction. Turns out: when you bid really high right at the end, no one wants to play anymore...🤔 Anyways, I ended up paying nearly as much as if I had bought them of the website, but the funds were going to the travel fund, so it feels like I've done my good 'bring a few Steemians to Steemfest' deed for the year. I paid for part of someone's airfare. You're welcome .

Bear Bowling in the evening

Everyone getting their teams gathered and ready to take on some serious bowling action. With more than 300 people at Steemfest this year, there were lots of teams of 4.

The heap of jackets in the foreground was where my camera was found later after I lost it. Turns out: it was exactly in the same spot where I left it, but hiding away under some jackets...

Two parts of our team Hive account@future24 and Hive account@datristan getting ready to work the bowling lane.

Of course, everyone listened intently to what Hive account@roelandp had to say...

Hive account@lex030 and Hive account@future24

Hive account@datristan and his serious listening face, full concentration.
In the background, my favourite Hive account@steemtwins, Hive account@rivalzzz and Hive account@louis88 who would later win the bowling competition with their team.

Wow, that man is quick to transform.

Some serious bowling action...

My two most favourite Germans on earth 😎

Hive account@anomadsoul with his thinking face on. He's not always like this. ❤️️

Some bowling action photos...excuse the blur. Hive account@lex030 above and Hive account@datristan below

The full team (besides me) present, Alex a bit blurry...

And last but not least, a rarely seen phenomenon: ME in the picture!
Of course with my eyes closed (like last year the one photo I have with Jeff Berwick lol). But nevertheless. The Steem Beasts as we called ourselves...

Alright. I've finally made it through this day. I have a few more posts coming with photos of Steemfest, and also some video. And something new. But that's for later.