Brussels, this trip, is a blur of meetings, brainstorming, ideas, practical details, black coffee, and gorgeous cheese. This trip was really made by the people.
The highlights include Ward taking the time to join us for a few hours of the Rio+twenties meeting and for dinner. He really transformed the vibe and it was great to chat with a good friend. Ivana also was awesome. She really rescued me when I initially arrived in Brussels at 9:35am, I realised that I have been so busy recently that I had forgotten the little details--such as my laptop charger and what I was going to do for the next four hours (meetings didn't start until about 1:30pm). We met at the stock exchange and went shopping. We also had a mini adventure locating the youth hostel where we were staying in the "ghetto" of Brussels (which in my opinion aren't remotely like a ghetto). Michaela showed a whole new side and I really feel that I can learn a lot from her. Ben was his normal humorous self but a lot less pragmatic (with no cynical edge). It was really cool seeing his idealistic side.
I also met the Communications team for Rio+twenties. Brendan is wonderful. His ideas were really do-able, practical, possible and interesting. We really kick started things and achieved a great deal in the two days. I am now much more confident that the website is going to happen. We got a lot done such as the wiki page.
And last but not least, PJ, the provider of fair trade goodies and the most sinfully deadly organismic cheeses that Ireland lacks but will signify Brussels for Ivana and I.
The participation guide itself started to take shape (and we even filmed part of the process). It was really ackward giving an interview about Communications when we haven't done much yet but it was great that Brendan took the initiative to organise it.
To conclude, Brussels this weekend (and Friday) is worth being exhausted. There are no regrets!
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