5 Star Whaaaaa???!!!

Change of plans: RAIN
So I didn't bike to Hoogeveen...it was raining and was like 'Oh hell no, bitches!' (Actually, I was like 'Okay, try to stay positive. This will be an adventure. It's okay. Things will work out' etc) So after much running around calling people (Esprect ew Engels? (not actual dutch, that's just how you pronounce it)) to figure things out, I decided to just ride with the other students to Assen for the conference (for free) and just figure out how I am getting home for Paris Sunday/Monday later. I figure, fuck it, I'll eventually somehow manage to get back home. Maybe.

So we got to the hotel, Hof van Saksen, and I think my jaw hit the floor. I was like '5 star say whaaaa?' This place is like it's own little, extremely schmancy, village. It has a main building with 3 or 4 restaurants and conference rooms and then a ton of cottages. And we're talking some NICE cottages. I have photo evidence:

And these don't even show the bedrooms and bathroom upstairs. Holy shit. So yeah, I'll be living in style on ASTRON/JIVE's dime for the next couple days days. Breakfast is included (normally 17euro) as well as lunch and coffee and all my dinners will be reimbursed. I love it. There was a reception thing-er for the conference which started almost right as we got here with appetizers and an OPEN BAR. Me like red wine :)

Here's me and Natalie (? I think that's her name....) She's from Turkey and has pretty broken English, but we chat a lot. She's been living in Dwingeloo since February and hates it. She says it's 'so boring.' Her accent is cool.

 And here's a freaking SNAIL! It was the coolest thing EVER. I've never seen one before- the little suckers move fast. I wanted to touch it, but didn't want to contract an incurable disease...

So yeah, that's the first part of my adventure. Tomorrow I have to wake up early :( to get breakfast and start a day of lectures and stuff. I hope there's vendors of free stuff like at AAS...