October 30th. The day before it all officially kicks off.
I guess any big event has a sense of pre-event nerves and excitement. Wandering around Glasgow today felt a bit like the calm before the storm, just not particularly calm. Like Christmas eve, almost.
Heading to the Scottish Events Campus (or the “Blue Zone”, where I’ll be spending most of this week) felt the most surreal. There have been so many moments in the run up to this where I haven’t quite felt like it was happening. In a world where global pandemics can shut things down pretty much overnight, it’s much harder these days to let yourself get excited about a big event, and that’s a whole other blog.
But getting into the venue itself is a bit like going to a rugby match (and not just because of the Scotland fans on their way to Murrayfield who loudly asked how they might accidentally get into “COP23”). The closer you get to this massive conference centre, the more people you spot who are heading in the same direction as you. Key giveaways? A UNFCCC branded lanyard. A language you don’t recognise. Clutching a suitcase and with a general aura of jetlag. Wearing a suit on a Saturday afternoon.
Then you arrive. To register, people need to show a negative covid test and various forms of ID, go through airport security and into a cavernous marquee to pick up your badge. Shepherded by lovely and friendly Scottish security and events people, you can’t go any further until things kick off tomorrow. It’s tantalising.
I’ve been travelling since 5.30am this morning, so these words might not make any sense. There’s so much more to say… acknowledging that I’m already getting FOMO and it won’t be possible to do all the things I want to do. Meeting some amazing people from across the world already. Realising that everyone coming for this event is excited, nervous, worried, hyped and ready for this thing to kick off. Let’s go.
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