Packing for CGW3/ Other queries

[cacheborn]

As CGW3 gets closer, my OCD tendencies about packing are showing up.

I like to pack light as far as possible. I checked the weather for Las Vegas and Chicago. (I have a seven hour halt in Chicago!) The temperatures seem to be between 7- 8°C and 22°C. I was wondering if a simple jacket would suffice. And do I need an umbrella?

Any suggestions for things to do in Chicago would be most welcome.

[Bing Wu]

Umbrella you can probably do without. Jacket - keep it very, very light! You'll probably only need it early in the morning or at night, 'cause daytime temperatures will probably push the high 20's at that time. The other thing to consider is if you'll feel more comfortable having a jacket handy in air conditioned rooms - it may be only around 20C in the conference room.

[Erin Pavlina]

It can get chilly in the conference room, so I suggest layers. Dress for sunny weather and bring a light jacket or sweatshirt for the room.

[trthskr]

I live in Chicago. Tell me what your interests are and I can guide you on what to do and see so you can make efficient use of your time!

[cacheborn]

Originally Posted by Alex Wu

Umbrella you can probably do without. Jacket - keep it very, very light! You'll probably only need it early in the morning or at night, 'cause daytime temperatures will probably push the high 20's at that time. The other thing to consider is if you'll feel more comfortable having a jacket handy in air conditioned rooms - it may be only around 20C in the conference room.

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

It can get chilly in the conference room, so I suggest layers. Dress for sunny weather and bring a light jacket or sweatshirt for the room.

I like the idea of layers, I used to do the same in Europe.
I am glad the weather is not chilly otherwise the room is heated and you have keep on peeling the onion.

[seeker5]

Make sure to have water. You can buy local bottles, but Las Vegas is in the middle of a desert, and it's very dry. Thus you'll need to drink more water than usual to replenish yourself.

[cacheborn]

Originally Posted by trthskr

I live in Chicago. Tell me what your interests are and I can guide you on what to do and see so you can make efficient use of your time!

Thanks a lot! I like visiting Natural History/Archeology Museums. Technological parks are also great. I also like visiting busy squares/places-not-on-the-tourist-maps, that way you can see the real city life.

[cacheborn]

Originally Posted by seeker5

Make sure to have water. You can buy local bottles, but Las Vegas is in the middle of a desert, and it's very dry. Thus you'll need to drink more water than usual to replenish yourself.

Good tip, seeker5. Normally, I always carry water with me, I would need to increase the supply.

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by cacheborn

Good tip, seeker5. Normally, I always carry water with me, I would need to increase the supply.

Yeah, though at the actual workshop, they have a water dispenser thingy in the back, so if you have a bottle of water, you can go and refill it during the breaks.

[cacheborn]

Like a true minimalist, I will also not be bringing my laptop. And my cell phone can only make calls.

I will only bring a notebook, pen and PDSP.

Yeah, I will have to face the hundreds of email/scraps/feeds when I get back, but I am really looking forward to an internet free week. Face to face interaction instead of online socialising,

[cacheborn]

Originally Posted by seeker5

Yeah, though at the actual workshop, they have a water dispenser thingy in the back, so if you have a bottle of water, you can go and refill it during the breaks.

Okay, thats super cool. So I only need supply for outside excursions or when I am in my hotel room.

[colonel]

Thanks for the advice in here so far. I have a few other questions about the CGW and especially Vegas:

I'm thinking about whether it makes sense to rent a bicycle -- 1) is that possible, i.e. are there shops where one can do that and if so, 2) is that a reasonable thing to do, i.e. is the city / the streets built to allow one to travel more or less efficiently by bike? I'm not necessarily thinking about using that to get to all the places that we're going to be going to together, like for social activities before, during and after the workshop, but also to be able to explore the city freely, without having to rely on public transportation or so all of the time.

I'll probably come up with more questions as I get more specific ideas about my time in Vegas (10th to at least 20th)

Thanks again for the advice, especially from the locals there in Vegas!

[Bing Wu]

Bicycling... didn't see many people in Vegas doing it? The roads are really not designed to be cycle friendly in Vegas. Big intersections, lots of cars, I would advise being careful

[Mabel]

Maybe rollerblades.....

[trthskr]

Cacheborn, if you take the train downtown it will take you about 45 min so you will have about 4 hours to kill before you have to head back to the airport. I would suggest you see the Field Museum of Natural History but you would likely need more than 4 hours so instead checkout Millennium Park and then you can walk to either Navy Pier or down Michigan Avenue from there. Both places are bustling with alot of fun people watching. You could also check out the Ledge at the Sears Tower which opened last year. Have fun!

[Erin Pavlina]

Try cycling on the strip and you will get run over by a drunk.

Speaking of drunk drivers, you should assume most people driving on the strip are drunk. And while you are waiting to cross a street you should NOT stand too close to the curb. Drivers jump the curb all the time. Hang back and cross with the lights.

[colonel]

Thanks for the tips, Sonya, Alex and Erin!
Now being in Vegas myself I can see why you said the things you said Got myself a bus ticket and my feet are also proving themselves to be useful tools, hehe
(And having friends with cars will also help )