Leaders, smells and food maths

Saturday

The chairs and reps from the countries present met tthis morning while the rest were doing a game workshop.


We confirmed the next 3 locations and Phillipines offered to host in 2018.

We also discussed marketing, licensing, some motions for the IBD, web sites and so on. It went way over the time allotted and next year we are planning a full day before the rest of the events take place.

With a reduce lunch time I had a quick chicken burger at MacDonalds. Yes, I know, I don't eat there at home. Still there was minimal waiting when I was on my own and speed was more important than socialising.

There were 2 session this afternoon. The first was o the sense of smell and covered genetics chemistry and so forth. He handed around a small vial of a pheromone type fluid. Some people couldn't smell it at all but it was immediate sharp and strong for me - and unpleasant. I couldn't wait to wash my hands.

The second used mathematical modelling to analyse foraging for food and then applying it to the cuisine preferences of different regions of Japan.


We had just an hour to get ready for the Gala Dinner but this wasn't a problem and soon the lobby and out side was full of people in their glad rags. The girls were dressed up and the boys were in suits in a lot of cases but their were also a significant number in national dress and in Japan this even included a couple in cosplay.

 The venue was quite a way from the conference hotel and we walked a few 100m to find 3 large coaches double parked on the main road. The drive took 10 minutes or so and we arrived at an upscale hotel complex.
We were lead up the garden path, literally, with a walk around the lake and gardens to finish back at the main building. IT was very pretty in that Japanese way but is was already dark so capturing the scene was a challenge.

We had another 10 or 15 minutes before we were let into the dining room and then sorted our selves out on to the tables. They announced that there were special "no alcohol" tables. originally 2 but reduced to one. You can see how popular they were.

 The dinner was another buffet with various Asian and non Asian dishes. At least I didn't drink the sauce this time.

After the welcome by the chairman, he and the conference organiser made a symbolic smashing open of a saki barrel. A bit like tapping a keg.

We later had some folk singers entertain us and a martial arts demo by a member from Japan.

As usual the main benefit was the mixing and discussions with the rest of the people. We were taken back to the hotel around 9-30 and there were plans to head to a techno disco around 11. I didn't want to go to that because, firstly, techno, and secondly, disco.

A small group of us wandered around the area taking in the neon lights, looking at short girls in high heels and  boys in suits who sometimes seemed more feminine. There is a culture of young boys being available for chatting etc with older women and there were a few of these sorts of clubs in the area.
drinks before quitting around 2-30.
Eventually I headed for the 14th and another group of members, mostly Chinese and Japanese played the game i'd brought. I also played some card games and had a few