Photo obviously not my own, so credit to 
As I wrote in a (pretty hyped) previous post, I knew instantly I had to go. As soon as I saw the announcement, saw that little flag there and recognized my beloved Croatia, I knew this year, Hivefest was for me.
I have a special relationship with Croatia. It’s where I started my months-long journey through Europe after 2+ years of hellish restrictions. I remember the first day I went down to the main beach in Zadar (pretty close to Split), sat on the pier and listened to my “sea song”.
I was so hyped to be there.
Also, my great-grandmother was Croatian. Whether the notion of “coming home” is real or purely an imagined one, I don’t know. But there is a connection I feel with the place. It’s very similar in many ways to Romania, so maybe that helps.
Anyway, when they announced Hivefest, it was a hell yes for me. I knew at once that I could forego other things this year, but this - I’d regret missing this.
Deciding to power down for the ticket wasn’t easy. It never is. You don’t want to let go of your hard-earned Hive. There’s always a little voice saying but maybe we moon and you’ll regret this.
Will I? Maybe. I figure you gotta regret something, you know? And just for the moment, I know I’d regret not being there. I could bite into other money for it, but it doesn’t feel right. For me, crypto money has always been a nest egg, but also something to be kept to one side for important things. For me, this is important. Hell yes moments are important.
Thankfully, I didn’t need to power down too much, and yesterday, I checked my wallet, and there it was. Enough Hive for the ticket.
It’s been almost seven years, but I still act like a complete noob when conducting any sort of crypto transaction, but after a long long spelling out names and re-reading e-mail, I did it. Got my confirmation a little earlier today, and taa-daa. My very own Hivefest 9 ticket.
I actually found a really good airfare deal the other week, so my ride’s all set, which only leaves accommodation to sort out. Admirable and classy as the recommended hotels may be, I think I’m going to find my own this time, as there’s no shortage of wonderful cozy little nooks in the heart of Split. I did some Airbnb-ing last night, and found quite a few wonderful little spots at a good price. And now that I have my ticket ready and downloaded, with my very own name on there, I can go ahead, I guess, and sort accommodation.
Luckily for me, there aren’t daily flights to and from Croatia, so I’ll also get a couple days of sun in Zadar after Hivefest is over, before I need to head back. I couldn’t be happier about my traveling prospects right now.
I haven’t told any of my “real world” friends where I’m going or why yet. They wouldn’t get it. They didn’t when I went to the one in Poland, either. And it doesn’t matter. I know you will, which is why I’m telling you guys first.