Helsinki, Finland (11/29/2017 - 12/02/2017)

Helsinki has been the European capital of startups, technology, and innovation for decades - first put on the map by Nokia, and the lesser known demoscene, it has since flourished and thrived.  In addition, it's known for great art and design, an excellent education system, and high quality of life - all despite the very cold winters and long dark nights.

The culmination of the all of the above can be found in their annual startup festival - Slush, where tens of thousands come from all over the world to celebrate entrepreneurship and innovation, in uniquely witty and nerdy ways. Beyond that it was *fun*. Where else can you have a sauna in a truck, or a party in the steam tunnels of a hospital-turned-incubator?

I personally met with old friends from past lives, and made many new ones. It was poetic that the Slush venue was the same venue as The Assembly in 1998 and similarly poetic that it was held on the 100th anniversary of Finland's independence from Russia in 1917.

It all left me wanting to come back for more.

The city itself is not too large, and the public transit quite good (if you stick to the tramlines).