I've just got back from my first ever "unconference", the Nokia IdeasCamp held at Asilomar on Monterey Bay in California (the picture shows the view of the ocean from my room.It was an interesting experience, mixing work colleagues with some of the great and the good from Silicon Valley. In addition to the workshops organized by attendees, after hours activities included "Midnight Cooking Madness" in which a dozen or so of us cooked for the rest (I made hummus for 70 or so people and was very pleased with the feedback!). We also had a talent show drawn from those present and had a bonfire on the beach, under strict supervision, given California's current problems with fires.
The organisers had tried to bring some Finnish customs to those present. Part of this involved me importing 144 pieces of Finnish Ruisleipä (rye bread), which added 6.6Kg to the weight of my suitcase! Meatballs and pea soup were served during the weekend, together with some more traditional American fare (I guess that's what it was).
But I think my favourite experience was trying a sauna tent for the first time. A very portable piece of equipment, apparently popular with hunters, campers and the like, this was a very welcome end to the day. The experience was completed by a large paddling pool to get the cold plunge after the heat. I may have to investigate shipping one to the UK!
