I love it here. It’s a good thing Chris booked my trip for Saturday, so I could be a tourist today and meet up with the AAS-folk in the evening at the welcome reception in the Sheraton hotel. And it was so much fun!
Of course I went up in the Space Needle, where lots of people where taking pictures of the spectacular view and of each other in front of it. A friendly lady, who’s picture I took, also took mine. Topic in the elevator was what state people where from. Obviously I won, being the only European on the ride. I had a good look around and spotted my hotel, but of course neither that nor the fact it’s all easy and numbered blocks and avenues around here will make me find my way straightforwardly. (Hurrah for GPS).
On my way via the waterside, I went to visit the Pike Place Market and I think it’s one of the first markets I really enjoyed. I had lunch in the Hard Rock Café and of course I had to stop at the original Starbucks. (Since last year, I tend to have a habit of visiting both in every country I go to). Then I figured I should do some shopping, or at least go see the shops around here and besides the well-known Macy’s, I ended up buying a purse in H&M. They have a guy at the door welcoming you to the store here! Oh and, it’s all open on a Sunday of course.
Then it was time to find the Washington Convention Center, to collect my badge and so I know where to be tomorrow. My badge – a green press one – is apparently one of the coolest. And since I also got an official AAS-sticker, I can imagine why people say they envy me. Seriously though, I do feel lucky. At the reception people welcomed me as if I were a VIP, which feels silly but amusing. I met up with Bill, who was wearing a very cool t-shirt; with the Voorwerp on it. It was also great seeing Chris again, after only communicating online for a while. I kept running off with other guys though, he jokingly remarked.
I finally met Zookeeper Robert, who’s famous on twitter as Orbitingfrog and took the initiative to organise a tweetup here. And who lend me his key to a private, quiet room so I could talk to Jason. Jason is from the BBC and managed to be the first to interview me. I took him to Bill and Chris for the scientific explanation part though and Bill’s shirt became handy for Chris to shed a light on the latest results. I also met a couple of friendly ASTRON-guys and I told Michiel he had to be in a picture with me tomorrow, as his boss told us so via e-mail. Then I was snatched away by the lovely Marieke, who introduced me to Govert (from De Volkskrant), with whom I’d already planned to catch up in real life this evening.
What a great day. What a nice bunch of people here! And who cares it rained a bit really? What a great city. I’m looking forward to tomorrow; having breakfast with the Zoo guys and of course our big press talk. Which, by the way, will be u-streamed, but only for members. We’re told it is going to be available as a video later though. And also, the press release and the picture is going out at that time, so if you’re around waiting for that, watch this space.
Me in the Space Needle, with the Seattle skyline. Picture by the lovely lady there.
The city, where I turned a marriage proposal down from a silly guy on the street who promissed he’d then stop drinking… Picture: Hanny van Arkel.
Chris explaining the Voorwerp to the lovely Jason from the BBC, using the image on Bill’s shirt. (I’m afraid I need him to point it out with beer glasses to me). Picture: Hanny van Arkel.
My very cool badge and AAS-sticker! Picture: Hanny van Arkel.
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Can’t stop myself from smiling today – and can’t wait to get the Hubble image…
*************************
Voorwerpje…voorwerpje…
…..anonymous and high up in the sky
…then there came Hubble
…….and now you are so familiar and nigh
Caught by the curious eyes of a lovely teach
………………………from The land of Clog
She’s now become equally as famous as
……………………”her” intergalactic Frog
Taken by this frog to wonderful places is she
…..and we travel with her…..
by looking through those very same
……………………..inquisitive eyes, you see!
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Anyway,Have fun and greetings of one of the many “big brothers” (and sisters) who are happily watching you!!
Thanks Jan!
Haha, random proposals on the street are one of the hazards of a big, weird city like Seattle. Now that the meeting is over, how much longer will you be in the US?
I’m leaving tomorrow actually..
Oh well, at least you got to see that Starbucks and Pike Place Market – although the snow today was a bit freakish, hopefully it won’t cause any traffic problems or other delays.
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