Thursday

Today was a free day till the icebreaker in the evening and many of the particpants were only arriving today.

I went into the centre area with Marina (Singapore), Cinzia (South Africa) and Dan (US). WE took the tram which travels part of the way through a wood and it cost only 1 lev = 70c.

We wandered from the tram stop through the city to the Cathedral, seeing many attractive buildings on the way - Churches, government buildings, Museums and even office blocks and lots of statues. There are also a lot of parks in this city and it is all rather charming.

By chance we passed the Presidency building just as they were changing the guard and in the parking lot nearby saw a black 4wd with multiple antennas sprouting out of it and filled with what looked like secret service men. (Didn't take a photo)

We did some souvenir shopping in the building that used to be the art gallery but is being converted to a Museum of ethnology and also at a small flea market near the Cathedral.

We ate at a pizza restaurant, avoiding an afternoon shower. Again the food was surprisingly cheap. We headed home about 3 and the tram was quite packed, after being nearly empty on the way in.

We sat in the lobby for quite a while chatting to pleople as the arrived and eventually checked in for the conference and picked up our goody bag ID badge and vouchers.

I also had some soft drinks in the bar before getting ready for the ice breaker on the top floor. Again it was a chance to mingle and meet new people, including those at the SIGHT conference which is also being held here and some guests who have come for the tours and other activities. These include some members and the partners of the IBD people.

We finished in the downstairs bar where I had a couple of Contreaus before getting to bed about midnight.