Two trips within a month. Work and work, for events in the same hotel in L’Hospitalet. Since joining this team, I’ve done (among other things) those two events every year (COVID time not withstanding). One (Nokia-only) is always changing locations, the other (multi-vendor) used to always be in Nice. So just an odd coincidence this year, especially as the second one is simply moving back to France in Mandelieu in 2023 (we thought Barcelona would be a new permanent fixture). Anyway, the pressure on these is always the preparation, the event while not lending itself to much tourism in general, is the occasion for some good socialising, seeing customers and colleagues from a lot of different countries, and eating unreasonably (well I’ve managed to keep it reasonable in recent years), with a few (not always that reasonable) drinks added in.
Second trip was different, and also allowed an evening out for the big feast of San Joan. Madness with fireworks all night. Absolutely mental (well we didn’t stay out all night), and a crazy taxi driver to get us back to the hotel.
Fireworks after work!