Attending a bookcrossing convention

These are my impressions of the bookcrossing convention that was held in Wellington, New Zealand in February 2007.

On friday morning, I went into uni in the morning to check my emails, and register and release some books. Unfortunately, hotmail was down, so I couldn’t check email, but I was able to use bookcrossing. About mid day, I went home and grabbed some stuff to take with me on a second hand bookshop walk. I got into town, made a few stops to purchase essential items (such as chalk), and ended up at Arty Bees (Courtenay Place). I stood outside nervously awaiting more bookcrossers. I had my Adelaide convention bag with me so as to be easily recognisable. After a few minutes, Otakuu showed up, and said that the bookcrossers she was staying with were going to be doing their own thing, but that Sherlockfan and Rarsberry would be along soon. We went into Arty Bees, and looked around for a while. I can’t remember if I brought any books, but I probably did! After Sherlockfan and Rarsberry turned up and looked around with us, we went and had a coffee (and I had some lunch) at Expressoholic.

After that, we went to the other Arty Bees (at the other end of Courtenay Place), and looked around there for a while. We then went to Ferrit, which is ok, but definitely not up to the Arty Bees standard. By then it was around 3.30, and Otakuu and Rars were getting a bit tired, so they left for the youth hostel where Otakuu was staying, and I went home.

After having some dinner and a shower, I left for the meet and greet. I arrived around 6.30, knowing that some of the other bookcrossers were going to go in early to set up, but no one was there. So, I had a look at the books until Futurecat and Lytteltonwitch arrived to start organising their secret project. This was truly awesome! Lytteltonwitch dressed up as Ballycumber. Have a look at the pics that I posted! After a while, some more people arrived, so I started giving out the lanyards (hehe, mine said ‘party animal’) which Sherlockfan had matched to different people! I also handed out the goody bags, which had a LOT of cool stuff in them (if I may say so!). This was cool for a while, because it was something to do, but when most people had arrived it got a bit boring, because everyone was talking, and I was stuck behind the desk with the lanyards and the goody bags.

It was really funny when Skyring came and sat on the floor, because after about 5 minutes, there were about 5 other people sitting on the floor