So I recently took the plunge and got me a HiveFest⁷ ticket for this year’s extravaganza in the infamous melting pot of Amsterdam!
This will be my second appearance at such a gathering - my only other time getting in amongst these events was SF2 in Lisbon back in 2017. I had literally joined ‘that other blockchain’ a couple of months before and decided to join fairly last minute, and I’m glad I did. I did a reasonable job of rounding up that experience in this post which has an overview plus links to a few articles on my antics.
I had joined too late for the first ‘Fest’ (also in Amsterdam) and unfortunately haven’t made it back since. I was hopeful for Krakow the year after Lisbon but didn’t happen for one reason or another. Thailand was never really on the cards the following year (although I briefly held hopes) and then the last couple have drifted into the Covid abyss. Yes, there was the VR stuff but I didn’t get involved in that. Perhaps in the future, but for now, it’s really the in person event where it’s at.
As soon as I saw this year’s version announced I thought I’d try my best to join in once again. This time was a little different as I had both HIVE and HBD at my disposal so I could buy a ticket straight out of my Hive account which was nice.
I’ve provisionally booked somewhere to stay. The accommodation options through HiveFest are a little pricier than I’d like for what you get (even with the discount), but then again, the whole city is that way. Currently, I’ve got a hostel which is a shared dorm and still costs €50+ a night. Anything better is going to be well over 100. I’ll have to decide whether I upgrade to something more classier or stick with this. Time is running out and there will be less and less options. My thinking is I won’t be spending much time there anyway, so as long as it’s palatable enough I can take it on the chin and enjoy the festivities!
My other concern would be location as I want to be as close as possible to the events and main hotels so there’s not too much scrambling around town, missing events, turning up late hot and bothered etc.
As I write this, I’m in England visiting for a chunk of the summer. There was a folk festival in my home town (note to self - write article) and I’m spending the rest of the month here. I plan to head back to Valencia at the start of September and of course get myself to Holland for a few days in the middle of the month.
At this point I just have to get flights to Amsterdam and back which should be fine, then I’m ready to rock and roll! I plan to be in the Dutch capital the day before everything starts, ie. the Wednesday at some point. Then I can relax during the Thursday and join in the fun and games come the evening… then head back on the Monday following the farewell Sunday dinner.
That’s my first HiveFest entry for this year. I’m looking forward to what @roelandp and the crew have got in store for us this time, meeting up with characters from last time like @steevc and others, and of course making new friends, along with what should prove to be fascinating talks and activities.
This should be the first of many posts documenting my HF activities, and there will be plenty of others doing likewise I’m sure. This will also be my second time in Amsterdam and a good decade since I went, so definitely plenty to explore.
Who else is joining? Where are you from, what’s your story, and what are you looking forward to (at HiveFest or the future of Hive in general)? Adam@adambarratt
Copywriting and assorted tomfoolery @ AdamBarratt.com