Eurofurence 2012!

[furtech]

Complete Flickr Photoblog Set
[This is the picture set of the convention. I've separated out the costumes (mostly) and food pics again. Those will be in their own sets.]

The convention was fantastic. Every year it gets bigger and every year they manage to pull it off and run the most enjoyable convention I attend.

The charity this year was "Far From Fear", a German organization that does for the Spanish Galgos dog what Greyhound rescue does for greyhounds over in the US. I had never heard of the Galgos dog breed before: they are a Spanish sighthound that is actively used for hunting and coursing. After a few years, they are either killed or bred to death. This organization works with their Spanish colleagues to have "retired" dogs shipped to Germany, where they are found permanent homes. The dogs are very much like greyhounds or whippets in form and personality, but sized somewhere in-between those two breeds and with very long, slender tails. They had several at the convention: while a couple of them got uneasy at the noise and crowds, they were all very shy and (if you were gentle) friendly dogs.

The GoH was Peter S. Beagle! It was a pleasure listen to him speak about himself, his writing and his love for music. Small cons like this are ideal venues to hear your heroes speak: the panels are intimate and cozy. He was very approachable and enthusiastic about everything around him.

Best sign at the con:

(On the door to the fire escape.)

Check out the photoblog to get a better idea of what the con was about.

Comments

[gilmorelion.livejournal.com]

Looks like it was an awesome time! I'll have to experience this one vicariously through your continued postings. (not that I wouldn't like to go, but Europe+big$$$$)

[furtech.livejournal.com]

It's possible to do the trip on the cheap: I used up a stash of airline/hotel points for both airfares, we stayed at Hostels and cheap hotels (Euro-equivalent of Motel 6) and resisted buying stuff. Food can be had cheap if you look around and there are always McD's and such. Plus, we sold stuff at the con. So happily a break-even for both of us, as planned. It's worth it just for the convention, too: imagine a con were almost all of the attendees are the kind of person you'd love to hang out with?