Location: Eventhotel Pyramide
This was our first convention after the pandemic. For context, the numbers in Austria at the time were pretty alright, and measures were taken to mitigate the risk from unvaccinated attendees. A test result from the same day or a proof of vaccination was required to enter the convention.
The convention was held at Eventhotel Pyramide, an iconic location I've seen many times when driving past the Shopping City Süd, a large shopping mall right outside Vienna. I've never been inside there, so it was a real treat to be able to check it out while attending a convention! On a side note, this was also a location featured in one of my favorite TV shows, the Computer Chronicles, in a 1992 episode when the European Technology Roundtable Exhibition was held there.
Today we didn't make it to the convention yet as I still had to work. Henrieke had enough freelance work to do as well. What we did do though was meet up with Tabbie for some Sushi at NeKo, one of our favorite places in Vienna. Yamavu had called me earlier and told me that Lokosicek, who neither of us had seen in the past ~9 years, was at AniNite, but sad that nobody he knew was there. So I looked up directions for him and he also joined us for Sushi!
After an outstanding meal (Henrieke splurged on Unagi and I got a Tempura Bento), we made our way to Mariahilfer Straße - the main shopping street - for some ice cream. Yamavu also joined us a bit. Then we brought Lokosicek back to the hotel and Henrieke, I and Tabbie hung out at my place, watching BBF's Further Confusion 2007 video.
We got up somewhat early to be at the con before lunchtime, packed the fursuits, and made our way to the Pyramide.
All the parking lots were packed, and we had to park quite far from the hotel. Since we assumed the wait to get in would be really long, we left our suits in the car. At the venue, even though the line was long, it only took us 10 minutes to get in! The Pyramide on the inside looked amazing! Trees everywhere! What was also very obvious is that this event location used to be a tropical swimming pool.
Since some of the staff of this con are furries, we got our own fursuit lounge, a stark contrast to the biggest anime con in the Netherlands where they didn't even have any dressing rooms for the anime cosplayers!
We met up with Spikie and Birko and checked out the Dealers Den and the Artist Alley a bit. There wasn't too much interesting stuff for me. A lot of retro games, sadly all a bit overpriced. I did pick up a cartridge of Command & Conquer for the N64 though. In the courtyard there were a couple of snack stands. Best of all, Kurt Frozen Yoghurt had a stand there. It used to be my favorite FroYo store in Vienna, but they closed years ago, and I didn't realize they still existed, in food truck form. I got a big FroYo and we chilled on the lawn a bit.
Since the food trucks were a bit expensive, we decided to get some lunch in the mall across the street. This wasn't too pleasant as it was really busy there, and unlike the con, people were not required to be tested/vaccinated. I got some currywurst, and I, Spikie, Tabbie, Birko, Henrieke and Lokosicek had some quick lunch together. We also went to the great comic store there. I didn't look around too much as I went there a week earlier and splurged on a model of the Enterprise D. Spikie and Birko bought some plushies and we headed back to the con for some suiting!
We hadn't suited at a con since the beginning of 2020, so we weren't really used to it anymore, but I was excited to do a "normal" activity again. Tabbie, Birko and Baseball roamed around the con a bit and interacted with lots of nice people.
They also got some photos taken at the photoshoot!
After about an hour, it was enough, and we all got out of our suits. We checked out the arcade and the drawing corner, then we packed up and I, Henrieke, Tabbie, Spikie, Birko and Lokosicek made our way back to my place. We spent the night watching cartoons and the rest of the FC2007 video while having some tasty Indian food!
I had a blast this weekend, and it was great (albeit exhausting) to suit again at a con and have a good time with friends! I can't wait to be at an actual furcon again!