Weekend Update: Europe Edition

So, this week has been crazy as the clock ticks down to SGC06. Pictures are going up on the conference blog so the delegates can see what's happening.

In the mean time, Karen and I started SpaceCluture.org to bring the concepts and ideas we have been discussing out into the public. Our intent is to have a forum where we can discuss the interaction and impact of space on society and society on space. So far we've got the blog up and running, but soon we plan to integrate podcasts, interviews, and guest writers. Know someone that should write? Got an article we should post? Please let us know! We intend to have good momentum and start podcasting from the X PRIZE Cup in October.

Things I found this week:

• An online barf bag collection
• A competition for Vigrin Atlantic barf bags
• The face on Mars is NOT REAL. So says ESA.

Here is a random collection of Valencia pictures. This is a really pretty city!

Life at the NEST - from the SGC2006 blog

Here is quick look at life here in Valencia.

First, my last room at the Red Nest Hostle was set up for 4 people. Everything in the room was yellow! Most of the rooms have a special color or theme to them. My current room houses 6 people and is all done in blue.

I have been eating in the kitchen several nights in a row. The kitchen is located on the same floor as the computer terminals. There are baskets for each room to keep food and three refridgerators for storing cold things. There are two micorwaves, two sets of stovetop ranges for cooking, and all of the plates, pans, and utensils you need! The Local Team will be using the kitchen to make some local foods for the Welcome Reception on Wednesday night. It will be delicious!

A few nights ago I washed clothes. There is one washer and one dryer available--both are on the roof! This makes it easy to dry your things on a nearby clothes line instead of in the dryer. Each machine costs 2 euros per load. You must by the special tokens at the front desk. Be sure you do not start too late! The roof and lounge both close at 11:45 pm each night.

While you are on the roof, you can relax in a chair with some of the other delegates and discuss the furture of space exploration!

Location: Valencia, SPAIN

Greetings from Valencia!
I arrived here on Wednesday, one day later than intended. A missed connection in Miami (thanks AA and Iberia!) left me stranded for 24 hours with only the clothes on my back. Jen drove the 3.5 hours down to Miami to save me with fresh clothes and a cell phone charger. Jen is my hero!!

I've been working non-stop on the Space Generation Congress since I arrived. I must have been tired because I slept for about 6 hours last night, woke up and chatted with a delegate online, and then slept for another 8 hours! Oh, and the room I stayed in has our exact same Ikea light--wierd, except the whole place seems to be furished by Ikea.

I think I'll go upstairs and make some food in the kitchen here at the Red Nest Hostel. Check out the webcam to see if you can spot me cooking or eating!

More pictures and stories from Spain will be posted on the SGC 2006 Blog.

Arriving in Valencia - from the SGC2006 blog

Arriving from the airport, I took the Aero-Bus to the train station and then the Metro. You can also walk to the hostel, but I wanted to learn about the Metro. The Delegate Information Pack describes walking to the hostel--a faster and cheaper alternative!

The picture on the left is the bridge over the Almeda metro stop near the hostel. Nice! The bridge and station were both designed by the same architect that designed the CAC.

The metro station is under the bridge with exits on both sides. From the top of the bridge you can see the Palace of Arts at the CAC. We will be using this metro stop to go to and from our SGC venue, UPV.

As you walk over the bridge, you will see this arch and pass by it on the right. Continue through the kids park and folow the signs for "<-- c/La Paz".
You'll see the Red Nest Hostel banners flying above the left side of the street.

You're home!

This and That

Last weekend we flew back to CA for George and Loretta's wedding. We stayed with all the Space Gen folks in a "cabin" on Moon Mountain. This is the view that we saw on the mile long trek up the mountain to get to the cabin.The wedding was great. We "missed" our flight on Monday morning so that we would have a few more hours to stay in Sonoma Valley and see the sights. And, boy, did we. I really wanted to buy this giant rusted llama for Mom.
Then this weekend, we had a yard sale. We made a decent amount of money and got rid of lots of stuff. We learned that you can put the harness and leash on Jack, and he won't run away. You don't even need to tie the leash to anything. He just acts like he has a giant weight on his shoulders.
Atlantis launched during our yard sale. There was a nice rush of customers afterwards. This is the view from our driveway.
Lastly, we have a really cool flower blooming in the backyard. It's very prehistoric-looking.