Steemfest 3 is only 2.5 weeks away! It only really sunk in a few days ago, that it will be COLD there at that time. Uh oh, I'm not quite mentally prepared for snow, it being only October here in the UK, and it doesn't usually snow *if it does*, until Jan/Feb, Will it even be snowing in Krakow in Nov?

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Anyway, to get on with this week's #roadtosteemfest topic! This week is all about the Physical Road, the journey one needs to take to get their ass to Krakow. There were a few questions laid out already, so here they are:

#### From where are you going to Krakow?

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I'm coming from London! I live a lot nearer to London Heathrow or even London Gatwick, but because the flights departing from those airports were almost double the price for my ideal times, I picked the cheaper flight departing from London Luton. And with the money I saved, I decided to treat myself to extra legroom and priority boarding. Before you start thinking I'm the richest person alive, this flight is a budget airline flight, and it was less than a tenner for the "luxurious upgrades", and seeing as this is essentially a birthday trip for me, I *think* I can splurge £8 (basically 10 bucks) on myself haha!

#### Do you have to take 2 planes and 3 boats to get to Poland?

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I have to say, us living in the UK are super lucky that SF3 will be in Europe again. I read a few posts from those coming from the states, and some of them, for example @llfarms, her journey from home to her departing airport alone is longer than my flight from London Luton to Krakow. #commitment *Massive respect to everyone making a ton of effort to get to SF3!!*

For me, London Luton is just a bit more than an hr's drive from home, but I don't think I will be driving there, because parking charges at the airports are usually extortionate. Hopefully I can get a lift, but if not, a coach ride to the airport will do. So it'll just be a car ride/coach ride to the airport and a 2.5 hr flight to Krakow!

I love air travel, and will ALWAYS try to get the window seat, *unless I'm flying with the kids, selfless parent and all* ;) So it will be a beautiful beautiful 2.5 hr flight of music and cloud gazing for me, most likely :) I am getting the best feelings already, just imagining that. Even if SF3 ends up being shit, I'd still be happy if the air travel was the highlight of my trip :P

Saying this, I know that @steevc and I think @cryptogee, (and maybe more others?) will also be flying on the same flight! So we'll be starting the party early in Luton!! I'm also up for having someone to talk to on the flight, if they happen to sit near me. And if they're not nearby, we'll catch up before and after the flight, and I'm sure they will be up for grabbing a taxi together if we are staying near each other.

#### Are you coming alone or are you bringing your 3 kids, the dog and the parrot?

*The toughest part about getting to Krakow, for me, won't be the journey itself, but the circumstances and arrangements that will allow me to go.*

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Yes I am coming alone. Yes I do have a family and 2 kids, and yes my hubs @dr00min is also on Steemit, although a very inactive one, and they could have come along too. But we decided it best that I come alone, firstly to allow myself some alone time as a massive birthday treat, secondly so I can just be me and enjoy myself without the normal limitations of being a parent with young children, and I'm talking about- getting to eat the food I want *and* without anyone stealing bits/all of it *and* with both hands, getting to have uninterrupted conversations, getting to sleep in. **Just to list a few things that I learnt to appreciate greatly after being a parent!**

Also, Steemfest is not quite that family friendly yet, maybe it's something I and some other Steem parents could talk to @roelandp about for future Steemfests? Activities for kids, creches and the sorts, so the parents can attend talks and conferences, and/or even enjoy some of the night events. Or maybe one of the future Steemfests could be hosted in a beach resort that has kids' clubs, that could be amazing!

But anyway, me coming alone does mean some sacrifice on our side, I will be away for 5 nights, which is the longest I've ever been away from my girls in the last 7/8 years of being a parent. Other than the fact that I will miss them dearly, my hubs will also need to be off work those days that I'm away, unless he gets to work from home. But saying all this, I will still absolutely 100% enjoy this time to myself.

I love being alone, and do treasure these moments that allow me to miss my kids, *if you didn't know, we homeschool/home educate our kids, so we are together pretty much 24/7.* The time away and space really makes me appreciate them so much more, and hopefully likewise!!! And to my amazing husband who actually introduced me to Steemit, and has supported my journey ever since, he knows I will come home a better mother, wife and person, because we know this whole experience will enrich my life and being in so many ways, *even if* it's just because I got this time to be alone.

#### Are you staying in one of the hotels with your partner? Is it the fancy one?

As much as I love hotel stays, if it's more than a couple of nights, I really do prefer somewhere that has what I consider essential amentities. I'm talking a kitchen, fridge, and even a washing machine. *Flying a budget airline means having to pay extra for checked luggages, so having a washing machine means I can pack light and save money and time by not having to check in any luggages!* **So did I find a decent looking apartment super near the Qubus Hotel for an amazing price? Oh yes I did!** As far as I know, the apartment building I'm staying at also has a roof terrace that overlooks the river. If it's not crazily freezing, there may need to be a party or 2 up there. I'm just saying ;)

<center>![krakowroofterrace.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmPtwY5adr6FiJMyXYMr2SJxU5k2uzdEAwAufXLMS2Kh9j/krakowroofterrace.jpg)</center>

One of my good friends that I met through Steemit, @teodora, who I am super glad decided to come to SF3 after all, should be roomie-ing with me too. I did assure her that I snore, but she assured me she is a very heavy sleeper, so will we be a good roomie fit? I guess we'll find out in 2.5 weeks! I'm definitely glad to be experiencing Steemfest with her though. There were quite a few of my dear Steemit friends who I hoped could make it, but they can't, and they will be greatly missed :(

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**Thank you again @anomadsoul for starting this #roadtosteemfest dynamic, it's been great to slowly get to know some of the others who will be there.** I missed the earlier weeks myself, but did try to catch up on the topics, you can read my previous #roadtosteemfest posts here: [My first #roadtosteemfest catch up post](https://steemit.com/blog/@redrica/roadtosteemfestplayingcatchupafterhoursandfreetime-hnyhljia2e) and [My last Shout out post!](https://steemit.com/roadtosteemfest/@redrica/road-to-steemfest-shout-outs-0afd0e2ff25e9)

Looking forward to reading more of everyone else's posts for this week, and can't wait to see you there!

Thanks for reading :)

Much Love from Red

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<a href="https://steemfest.com"><img src="https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRMkAHumnEPDfPeekPBwqzpxfb99XWeJnBNKg6LgDEWd3/meet-me-at-steemfest-in-krakow.jpg" alt="Meet me at SteemFest 2018 in Kraków" /></a></center>