Wow, where do I even begin? There is still so much to process. Yes, it was my second Steemfest, but I think that makes things even harder in the end. But of course, I am only at the day of the registration and welcome drinks, so you'll be spared of the emotional 'end' of Steemfest. At least for me.

I am pretty sure I started my first after-Steemfest post in a similar way last year, it was something like this:
As I am staring out my window from behind my desk, the reality of the real world after Steemfest is hitting hard.
It's not unusual for rain to occur in Ireland of course, but today it just seems to make matters even worse.
A time-machine would come in damn handy, and if I had one, I would probably bolt it shut to those couple of days in Krakow, maybe add some Lisbon to it as well, while I'm at it.
Ahhh, dreams...

My first full day in Krakow started with a little accident. If you haven't yet, you can read about it here:
https://steemit.com/steemfest/@misslasvegas/road-to-and-from-steemfest-re-cap-interesting-conversations-davinci-flyers-and-the-black-eye

Lucky for me, the rest of my time in this amazing city was great, without any noteworthy incidents.
Right after they 'released' me from the ambulance, I went to the hotel to hand in the flyers and as I was greeting someone I knew from last year (I don't remember who it was, I blame the pink pill), there was another who listened to my story and I can now count this as my first hug of the Steemfest. @illucifer, thank you! It meant a lot! And it was exactly what I needed. I went back to the apartment shortly after that for check-out, and to move to our next apartment.
I would come back in the evening.

The night of the welcome drinks at the Qubus hotel was one of re-connecting with people from last year's event, and even talking to some people I hadn't met yet. It was great to see these people again. It's like meeting old friends after a long time.
One of the first people I saw and who I hadn't met in person yet, but recognized right away was @bubke.
When I called his name, he turned around and greeted me with the biggest smile and laugh ever. We hugged as if we'd known each other for years and that was exactly what it felt like.
He is part of the @ecotrain people, and every single one of them is very close to my heart.
I was entering a contest a couple of weeks ago, to win a ticket for Steemfest, when I saw he entered too. I was rooting for him to win, and he did! (not sure if it was the same contest, but either way: it worked!). The man came all the way from India to be part of this, and I am glad he did!

After this, I went inside to register for the event. All of the crew members present were asking how I was, and luckily I was able to tell them that I was alright. They were all worried about me, but there was nothing to worry about. If anything, I felt like I was the luckiest person on earth to still stand there and talk to them.

After I registered, I walked back outside to find a few of the people I got to know better last year.
@scan0017, @future24, @lex030 and @peixeboi. It was great to see them again, where did the year go?
Jonas (@future24) and Alex (@lex030) brought another friend with them who became a Steemian not long after Steemfest in Lisbon and I had been talking to him a few times since. @datristan greeted me like we'd known each other for years and Steemfest was ready to begin.

You'll have to forgive me, because I only took two photos of the same people that night, I wasn't really thinking about it at all. I posted one yesterday, but here you go, I'll do it again:

@nanzo-scoop and @scan0017 looking great, as ever!

I made it to Steemfest and survived Krakow! 🤣

When I walked back to my apartment about 600 metres up the road from the hotel, it was like I was walking on air and I had so much energy, when I came home, I had to sit in the bathroom for a few minutes with the shower on to bring myself back to earth. Sure, the little pink pill the ambulance man gave me that day and the alcohol could have had something to do with it, but for most part it was the people. There is a different kind of energy with all these Steemians present in one space, it's like a whole different consciousness. Very hard to describe to someone who wasn't there.

Next year you will just have to come as well!

Thank you for reading!