Thank you, Dr. Hulbe, for such a wonderful dispatch from Russia!
It is great to have you make sense of all the acronyms (what an alphabet soup!) and to let us know about the discussions going on there.
Can you keep us informed about the Polar Biology session? It seems like there is some very interesting discovery there which will change our default summary ideas about how the biology of this area works. Cool!
And can you provide us with a link to your paper? I would really enjoy seeing what you are working on.
Posted by Mary at July 12, 2008 12:56 AMSeconded on the link to your paper! And seconded on thanks for this rundown of the conference. I probably would have had a hard time choosing between the session on women (were there notes?) and a Russian ballet as well. (I would have gone to the ballet, too. Green with envy, over here!) I'm with Mary on the Polar Biology part; I'll be interested to hear more on that subject. Any pictures of your travels? I just love Russian architecture, and The Hermitage! I'd have to take an extra few days just to meander thru the museum...
Thanks for sharing your experience, Christina - it's good to know that important science is still being done despite the global turmoil in politics and economy getting all the attention.
Posted by iamcoyote at July 12, 2008 07:30 AMMany of the talks I chose to attend were on polar ecology topics. Such a broad meeting provides an easy opportunity to step outside my normal range and get a glimpse of what's exciting to other folks. There are many simultaneous sessions with reasonably well timed talks so people duck in and out between talks in order to hear what they really want to hear.
I learned from a friend who was also at the meeting (and the ballet) that the journal Nature publishes a weekly podcast about research highlights from that week's issue. My friend says the podcasts are general enough to be accessible to anybody.
One the cultural theme, something I enjoy when traveling for work is shopping at local markets (self-catering saves money and is often easier than restaurants for vegan dining). Food markets and bakeries offer good insight into everyday living. I've been in two types of grocery stores here, ones like US stores, in which I wander around and pick up the items I want; and ones in which I look at items displayed for sale, gesture to a clerk in the direction of what I want, pay for it, and then receive the goods (this is apparently the kinder, gentler Soviet-style store). The clerks are very friendly, given how ignorant I am of the language. I've also learned that Georgian food and Baltika #8 are great. We did visit the Hermitage, I'll try to get some pictures posted soon. It's an overwhelming place.
Posted by Christina Hulbe at July 12, 2008 10:12 AMFrom: Dr. Hulbe's support staff in St. Petersburg..... okay okay, I am riding on her tails and taking in all that the city has to offer.
I've taken many photos here and will be happy to sift through them and make some available for viewing. Though I've only had 1 day where lighting has been really nice. Weather changes quickly and often here and lots of over-cast skies.. makes for very very flat lighting and quite disappointing photos.
Ther Hermitage is nothing short of amazing (and exhausting) not to mention one of the best deals in the city; about $25 for a 2 day pass.
The Ballet "Don Quixote" was wonderful but not sure what was better, the ballet or the Mariinsky theatre itself.
Heading back to the states tomorrow morning, will try get some photos and possibly some video (walking through Hermitage, the square, walking Nevsky Prospekt) in the next day or so.
Do svidaniya!
Posted by Simp at July 12, 2008 10:23 AMSounds like a fabulous time - and you're right, you just can't get the same kind of immersion in the scientific community or the local culture over the internet. At some point, conferences like this will become prohibitively expensive, won't they? How sad.
Thanks for the Nature link, though, and I look forward to the pictures!
Posted by iamcoyote at July 12, 2008 10:34 AMSimp, I wondered if you'd tagged along - good for you! Don Quixote! One of my very faves... Arghh, I'm sooo envious. Can't wait for the pics - but get some rest, too. Safe trip back, guys!
Posted by iamcoyote at July 12, 2008 10:40 AM