On the Bottom Half

IGC 08, Oslo

Setting aside that fact that these newfangled Club lounges at all the major airports are an extravagant way to fly, what with their showers (body spray and rainfall shower heads rock!), free alcohol (it's not plonk, says the 15yr Glenlivet and 2002 Merlot), nice food, and great views of the airfields, Oslo is an adventure already. The influx of people for the International Geological Congress snowed under the customs people last night, holding up the line so long so that I didn't find my way to my hostel until 0100. Then, the hostel people didn't seem to have my booking for that night and were otherwise full. After a mildly despondent walk to a full-priced hotel and a phone call searching for me from the original hostel, it turns out that the hostel did in fact have a bed for me. I was stuffed when I fell asleep last night.

This morning I registered for the Congress and had a bit of a wander... wow are there a lot of people here. From the foreground of the picture at left to the faded distance is all conference venue stuff. Eeek. More importantly, Oslo smells of northern hemispherian trees and water. My first impressions were that it is a soft-edged land, it's corners having been worn away by relentless ice. I have yet to see some fjords, but they are certainly on the list. I like it here, but brings lots of Kroner.

Now, time to work out which talks I'm going to go to, which to slough, and to where to sneak off between times.

Ciao!

posted by Kyle @ 02:33