"My first big VT meet - Euromeet 2009 in... " a Cascais Travel Page by fairy_dust

For several years now, I've wanted to attend a big VT meet. It was actually one of those "must do at least once before I die" goals. I didn't go to Santorini because it was too far and expensive, and I didn't go to Karlsruhe because at that point, I was saving up to move to Montreal and since moving was more important to me, I needed to sacrifice travel to reach that goal.

Then, when I found out that Euromeet 2009 was going to be in Cascais, Portugal, I totally wanted to go. I wasn't sure if I would be able, but if possible, I wanted to be there. Other VTers - especially Ed (Kaspian) and Claus (cachaseiro) - were practically begging me to come to Cascais. I signed up, and though I experienced some setbacks (losing a job) that made me consider dropping the trip, I knew I'd regret it if I didn't go so I stuck with my plan (albeit with a few alterations to avoid spending too much money/time) and still went to Portugal even if it went against the advice a few other people gave me.

This was my first real trip since my 2.5 month trip to Seville (plus 1.5 weeks in Rome) in the spring of 2007. It was also the perfect way to celebrate my new life after moving to Montreal.

My trip to Cascais wasn't near as rough as Seville - no robbery, food poisoning, minor injuries, romantic rejection, impatient dance teachers, getting stranded at the airport on arrival, or all-night waits for a taxi during a festival. But that doesn't mean it wasn't an adventure. I got lots of things that I had been hoping to get at Euromeet - the best being friends and fun! I had been talking to many of the VTers there online for several years and it was so great to finally meet them in person.

Days were spent sight-seeing, eating yummy pastries, talking to VT friends, etc. The nights were my favorite parts of the trip though - great dinners, lots of drinky drinky, dancing and partying, and laughing my ass off at all the follies and hilarity that a certain few VTers got into.