First day at conference

After my two day Google conference, a short night of sleep in a smoking room at the luxurious Hilton Gatwick where neither the tv nor the radio worked ( was too hysterically tired to complain) and an 18hr journey I eventually packed in a mighty 1h35mins of sleep in Tashkent before heading off to Samarkand. The Afrosiab super fast train was really deluxe & I quickly made a new friend also en route to the conference - Farida from Almaty. Was good to start practising my Russian though just a few mins of peace would not have gone amiss. Imagine my delight when I arrived at the conference in Samarkand to find ihad totake to the VIP podium immediately in front of 500 people. Once I'd sleepily mumbled through my paper things did look up. I've had two huge meals with amazing fresh salads & herbs and piles oh horrendously fatty meat. Been to a super-kitsch musical performance with amusing numbers such as the bringing of Islam to the region - all to a catchy disco beat & many a young maiden's part being danced by women of my age & size. Amusing side features include being transported everywhere in a VIP bus preceded by a police car with sirens blazing. Dinner was accompanied by a wonderful traditional band and many of my fellow lbrarians from the remotest regions all danced enchantingly between courses. And now you have probably guessed... BEDRead more