Convention retrospective

[skyring]

There was a dinner for the stayers on Sunday night. The convention was officially over, some had already left, we'd gone on our wine trip or wildlife cruise, and for those who wanted, a buffet dinner had been arranged at the Oxford on Avon. We trickled in, we had dinner and drank our wine and talked about the fun we had and after a while, we looked around and there was nobody else left in the place but us and the staff tidying everything away. We exchanged hugs, took last photographs, signed each other's journals, had some more hugs, and when management began flicking the lights on and off, a few of us left and stood outside in the chill air.

The rest gradually joined us - I think the last couple were hurled out onto the roadway - and we stood on the footpath, nobody wanting to leave and have the convention end. While we dozen were grouped in a circle, smiling and laughing and saluting the passersby, the adventure continued.

But eventually we all took pity on FutureCat, valiantly staying awake, badly in need of a week in bed, and we made our last goodbyes. For me, embracing Otakuu was the saddest moment, because I love her so much, and it will be a while before I can get back to New Zealand to see her again. I didn't want to let her go.

And that was it. There were sightings of other BookCrossers at the hostel, at the gondola, at the airport and finally, it was just Pixette and I at the baggage claim in Sydney, a beagle sniffing our bags. She got an express pass with no duty to pay, but I'd bought up too big on the wine trail and had to go a slower way. She left with her husband waiting, and I was alone in a crowded terminal.

The Flickr convention group shows photographs uploaded by attendees. Put them on a slideshow and relive the event, or look on with green envy in your eyes at the smiles, the books, the scenery, the sheer fun and laughter of the 2009 World Convention. http://www.flickr.com/groups/1056661@N21/pool/show/with/3460244215/

For me, I've got a bag of books to read, a mug from Te Papa, and a greenstone fish-hook ornament that Discoverylover put around my neck her ownself, and I shall keep it there the rest of my life to remind me of a magic time in an enchanted land.

Comments

[teotakuu.livejournal.com]

As always, the time flew too fast and will seem to drag until we can all meet again. Still, you have other trips to plan, more BookCrossers to meet and more people to embrace, both literally and figuratively.

It was a pleasure to be in your company again and to meet so many of the wonderful friends I have made through BookCrossing. You, of course, are top of the list. Your amazing smile, wonderful hugs, generosity of self and spirit and your huge enjoyment of life and BookCrossing is inspiring and infectious. 'Til we meet again - a te wa ka tutaki tatou ano

[lyzzybee.livejournal.com]

Thanks for great reports! Roll on the UNconvention...

hey!

[newkaligula.livejournal.com]

I just read this somewhere else!

[lusks.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that, the photos are brilliant and I was able to pick out a few good friends and places.

[paulaplays.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the lovely retrospective. I understand about Otakuu. Hugging her goodbye in Los Angeles last year was very difficult. I was to have been in New Zealand this year, but life once again had other plans. One day!

*sigh*

[discoverylover.livejournal.com]

Only 6 months till KC