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USA / RainFurrest Report
11 years ago
Time for the obligatory report journal now that I've returned from my trip to the USA and my first time at a furry convention. I think I'll break it down for easy reading and only touch on things briefly.
New York City
I started my trip by doing a bit of sightseeing in New York City. It's one of those "must do" things on anybody's list when visiting the US since it's such an iconic city. I pretty much hit all the sightseeing spots; Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Time Square, Empire State Building, Rockefeller Centre, Brooklyn Bridge, 9/11 Memorial, Natural History Museum, the MET and more all in the space of 3 days. Was also fortunate to have caught the show Wicked while I was there too and can honestly say that I'am a fan.
There were some drawbacks though; I cant say I really like New York as a city. I think its because it's too touristy, busy and the supposed "New York tough" means being an asshole to everybody. Let's not kid ourselves; it's not the cleanest place either and be forewarned for ever wanting to use a public restroom.
Moreover there's this odd sense of disbelief in the back of your mind. You see these iconic places on TV growing up, but when you finally see them in person; it feels somewhat lackluster. Its that feeling when you go to Disneyland or Vegas and see a duplicate of a famous monument. It's great and all, but you know its fake. Same thing here, despite knowing it's the real deal.
All and all though; the experience was great and it was a shame I couldn't explore everything that NYC had to offer in the 3 days I was there. I wouldn't mind paying it a visit again, but not anytime soon.
Seattle
I then ventured west to the opposite coast of the US to Seattle to attend my first fur con and visit somebody very dear to me. Seattle is an interesting city; although I cant say I saw the initial appeal - it is no doubt very scenic with it's woodlands and bay area.
Though i did notice a lot of hobos surprisingly - especially of the the crazy variety. Walked past a guy who was pointing and yelling explicits at the pavement. :I
That being said it is a very modern metro area and I can see the appeal of that. Also a great place to live if you're a pluviophile and enjoy rainy weather. Went up the Space Needle and added my name to the guestbook. I was actually surprised that it wasn't as big as I thought it was. It's a city I definitely would visit again although for other reasons besides the city itself.
Rain Furrest
Rain Furrest was my first furry con; it was definitely a culture shock. I've never really hung out with furries before and now suddenly to do it en-masse left me incredibly nervous. It was surreal seeing everybody around the hotel sport their furry ears and tails for everybody to see. It definitely left an impression on the staff whose comments left me both intrigued and embarrassed. Though I got the impression that nobody thought I was a fur because i looked somewhat "normal'? Though admittedly once I attended the con I was nervous that somebody would recognize me looking at my badge and I had no idea how handle the attention. I was actually waiting to hear from one of my friends attending the con to join me, instead of going at it alone. Eventually I mustered up the courage to go alone. I was kinda expecting the con to have been bigger, but I guess because of the hotel's layout everything was kinda spread out. I finally made it to the dealer's den where I quickly browsed what was on offer; recalling that I need to come back to buy comics that one of my friends made. Also got the chance to meet
gideon and 
cooner for the first time. I was going to make plans to get sketches form them later on.
I eventually ran into
yasano who helpfully gave me a proper tour of the place and was good company on my first day at the con. I also then ran into my friend 
furious for a quick selfie moment before he was swept away. Yasano and I had a quick drink at the hotel restaurant and continued to walk around before I had to follow up with other friends.
Unfortunately...I woke up the next day sick. It seems like I picked up con-crud on the first day and it just killed me off. As a result I was pretty much bed-ridden the whole con and missed out on most of the shenanigans. I did manage to medicate myself enough to join somebody special at the con and to catch the variety show. Late dinner thereafter with said special person and friends, but I was coming down with the chills and my back imploded - I couldn't have stayed and promptly went back to bed.
By the time I actually was feeling better the con was over and I ended up not meeting a lot of people, didn't get sketches or bought the comics I said I would. :c
That being said...
I wasn't too disappointed; as the con was only a bonus to the real reason why I came to Seattle and that was to visit somebody very special to me. I wont go into specifics, but every moment I spent with him was better than anything I've experienced on that trip. It made all the years of waiting worth it and for the first time in a long while I was truly happy.
I think from the whole journey my most fondest memory was driving through west Seattle in the rain while listening to Daft Punk with him.
Aftermath
Unfortunately all things must come to an end and I had to return back to South Africa. It's one thing not wanting to go back home; it's another when it takes almost 2 days to get back there. When I arrived back at my place; it wasn't the best of feelings - complete indifference.
For the past 3 years I think I subconsciously treated this trip almost like an absolute destination more than just break. After the time spent with that special somebody and to have been where I have; it feels like my life has been put on pause again. I guess I also feels bad because I know how long it takes, how much work and how much it would cost if I wanted to go again. I pretty much realized that I have post holiday depression.
Still nobody can take the experience away from me and if anything there is always next time. Hopefully sooner than later.
RONSO International
Expect a preview this Friday as I get back into regular updates for the site.
New York City
I started my trip by doing a bit of sightseeing in New York City. It's one of those "must do" things on anybody's list when visiting the US since it's such an iconic city. I pretty much hit all the sightseeing spots; Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Time Square, Empire State Building, Rockefeller Centre, Brooklyn Bridge, 9/11 Memorial, Natural History Museum, the MET and more all in the space of 3 days. Was also fortunate to have caught the show Wicked while I was there too and can honestly say that I'am a fan.
There were some drawbacks though; I cant say I really like New York as a city. I think its because it's too touristy, busy and the supposed "New York tough" means being an asshole to everybody. Let's not kid ourselves; it's not the cleanest place either and be forewarned for ever wanting to use a public restroom.
Moreover there's this odd sense of disbelief in the back of your mind. You see these iconic places on TV growing up, but when you finally see them in person; it feels somewhat lackluster. Its that feeling when you go to Disneyland or Vegas and see a duplicate of a famous monument. It's great and all, but you know its fake. Same thing here, despite knowing it's the real deal.
All and all though; the experience was great and it was a shame I couldn't explore everything that NYC had to offer in the 3 days I was there. I wouldn't mind paying it a visit again, but not anytime soon.
Seattle
I then ventured west to the opposite coast of the US to Seattle to attend my first fur con and visit somebody very dear to me. Seattle is an interesting city; although I cant say I saw the initial appeal - it is no doubt very scenic with it's woodlands and bay area.
Though i did notice a lot of hobos surprisingly - especially of the the crazy variety. Walked past a guy who was pointing and yelling explicits at the pavement. :I
That being said it is a very modern metro area and I can see the appeal of that. Also a great place to live if you're a pluviophile and enjoy rainy weather. Went up the Space Needle and added my name to the guestbook. I was actually surprised that it wasn't as big as I thought it was. It's a city I definitely would visit again although for other reasons besides the city itself.
Rain Furrest
Rain Furrest was my first furry con; it was definitely a culture shock. I've never really hung out with furries before and now suddenly to do it en-masse left me incredibly nervous. It was surreal seeing everybody around the hotel sport their furry ears and tails for everybody to see. It definitely left an impression on the staff whose comments left me both intrigued and embarrassed. Though I got the impression that nobody thought I was a fur because i looked somewhat "normal'? Though admittedly once I attended the con I was nervous that somebody would recognize me looking at my badge and I had no idea how handle the attention. I was actually waiting to hear from one of my friends attending the con to join me, instead of going at it alone. Eventually I mustered up the courage to go alone. I was kinda expecting the con to have been bigger, but I guess because of the hotel's layout everything was kinda spread out. I finally made it to the dealer's den where I quickly browsed what was on offer; recalling that I need to come back to buy comics that one of my friends made. Also got the chance to meet
gideon and 
cooner for the first time. I was going to make plans to get sketches form them later on.I eventually ran into
yasano who helpfully gave me a proper tour of the place and was good company on my first day at the con. I also then ran into my friend 
furious for a quick selfie moment before he was swept away. Yasano and I had a quick drink at the hotel restaurant and continued to walk around before I had to follow up with other friends.Unfortunately...I woke up the next day sick. It seems like I picked up con-crud on the first day and it just killed me off. As a result I was pretty much bed-ridden the whole con and missed out on most of the shenanigans. I did manage to medicate myself enough to join somebody special at the con and to catch the variety show. Late dinner thereafter with said special person and friends, but I was coming down with the chills and my back imploded - I couldn't have stayed and promptly went back to bed.
By the time I actually was feeling better the con was over and I ended up not meeting a lot of people, didn't get sketches or bought the comics I said I would. :c
That being said...
I wasn't too disappointed; as the con was only a bonus to the real reason why I came to Seattle and that was to visit somebody very special to me. I wont go into specifics, but every moment I spent with him was better than anything I've experienced on that trip. It made all the years of waiting worth it and for the first time in a long while I was truly happy.
I think from the whole journey my most fondest memory was driving through west Seattle in the rain while listening to Daft Punk with him.
Aftermath
Unfortunately all things must come to an end and I had to return back to South Africa. It's one thing not wanting to go back home; it's another when it takes almost 2 days to get back there. When I arrived back at my place; it wasn't the best of feelings - complete indifference.
For the past 3 years I think I subconsciously treated this trip almost like an absolute destination more than just break. After the time spent with that special somebody and to have been where I have; it feels like my life has been put on pause again. I guess I also feels bad because I know how long it takes, how much work and how much it would cost if I wanted to go again. I pretty much realized that I have post holiday depression.
Still nobody can take the experience away from me and if anything there is always next time. Hopefully sooner than later.
RONSO International
Expect a preview this Friday as I get back into regular updates for the site.
