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+layout: post
+title: Awoostria 2024
+date: 2024-07-31 14:24 +0200
+lang: en
+categories: ["furry"]
+---
+
+So yeah, I'm still recovering a bit from the convention. So I'mma try to write a
+report anyway, kinda as a "recollection" exercise. It's kind of a blur.
+
+So, Awoostria. I read about it in the beginning of the year, thought "convention
+in Vienna, Austria, why not? I liked GLC in Switzerland". Usually, I don't
+travel by and for myself. I kinda have a (bit unhealthy) attitude "uh, why
+should I travel, I'mma sit around alone for the whole day anyway, might as well
+do this at home", so conventions are a great excuse for me to get out. I see
+some new cities / locations I wouldn't usually get to see, and at the same time
+I meet new people with a common interest. Sounds like a good deal.
+
+**Wednesday**
+
+I went the "early arrival, late departure" route. Might be to do with FOMO, but
+it's also more relaxed. I was *really* surprised Vienna is only 5.5 hours of
+train travel away, and it's a direct connection. So I went with Deutsche Bahn.
+It went relatively smoothly, no major delays, and in the Telegram group chat I
+even got some nice tips to switch to metro at Wien Meidling instead of going to
+Main Station. Was a good tip.
+
+A not-so-nice experience, at Wien Meidling I was approached twice by people who
+went like "uh, hey, excuse me please…", but I have enough of this experience
+here in Würzburg to already assume it's probably just going to be begging, so I
+went into full ignore mode and simply went on to the subway.
+
+During the convention, I got really impressed by Vienna's public transport. The
+hotel was conveniently located. So I could get there by walking from the
+station Wien West easily. The day I arrived there was still some setup going
+on, regarding the decoration. On this day, I played some nice card games with
+other furries already at the convention (sadly, the only time I did that). Got
+something small to eat as well. Otherwise, I walked around near the venue,
+found a nice spot with a bit of a view over the city, but not much else going
+on.
+
+**Thursday**
+
+First day, already some digestion issues. "Not off to a good start", I thought,
+but it probably just was the excitement, the other days went by without
+problems. Went around the city a bit on my own and even got a week ticket for
+the public transport (20 Euro, eh, might be an okay-ish price for a vacation).
+Saw some of the horse-drawn carriages as well (didn't go in one for the whole
+time). Took some photos of some fursuiters (on Thursday and all of the following
+days), watched the opening, tried to go to the cuddle panel, but it was too
+full, watched the karaoke, then the day was already over for me.
+
+**Friday**
+
+Sightseeing time. A local fur offered a small group of us furries a sightseeing
+tour. Castle Schönbrunn, Karl's church (from the outside), Hofburg, Spanish
+Horse riding academy, Amusement Park Prater, if I remember all of it. Did the
+"wildwater ride" (?) in the Prater, actually the only attraction I'm comfortable
+with in amusement parks. I don't go for roller coasters. Got a nice leopard
+lanyard and a magnet in the dealer's den. Went to the snack exchange and the
+"fursuit striptease", which was a funny event as well. I was a bit sad that I
+missed the WHSPRS concert, but I can't split myself in two. I think I even
+checked out the dance on that day.
+
+**Saturday**
+
+The day I realized I could use the hotel's wellness area. Took a nice break in
+the infrared chamber. The Broadcasting panel was very interesting. For me, it's
+always fascinating to see in which fields other furries work. Had some nice
+cuddles, joined the disability meet-up, went to the dance for a bit again and…
+that's it, I guess?
+
+**Sunday**
+
+Charity auction, Powerpoint karaoke, closing (which involved some serious queuing),
+spend the evening outside where there was some music being played… uh… did I do
+anything else?
+
+**Monday**
+
+Time to say goodbye, after breakfast. Originally I planned to depart early and
+visit the Manner factory shop, but I had a nice talk with other furs during
+breakfast, time went by, I still had to pack (just throw stuff in the
+suitcase), so in the end, I didn't have time to do that.  Also, the factory
+shop was inconveniently located, in regards to public transport.  Much sad.
+Travel home went by without significant delays.
+
+**Overall**
+
+In retrospect, trying to recollect what I did, I am a bit shocked to realize
+that there are some "black holes" in the timeline. No, I didn't drink any
+alcohol. Probably more happened, by my brain is not used to this amount of stuff
+happening.
+
+Hotel breakfast was wonderful. I missed that when I got back home and had to do
+my breakfast myself again.
+
+Vienna is hecking **clean**. I not once saw dog poop or trash lying around.
+
+I had enough sleep, had enough food and drink, still, I still spent a probably
+significant amount of time "milling around"? There's kind of a nagging feeling
+that it should be easier to form connections, sit down somewhere by a group of
+prople and simply join in a talk? And a slight nagging feeling of FOMO might as
+well have been present. That's a me problem, nonetheless, nothing to do with the
+convention itself. And I also go to conventions to try to cure that.
+