It's beginning to look a lot like Codegarden
We're less than a month out from Codegarden and for some of us the anticipation is every bit as exciting as Christmas. I attended my first Codegarden last year and it was everything I hoped it would be and more. Here are a few tips based on my experience - your mileage may vary.
Comfy Shoes!
To quote one of my favorite movies - The Shawshank Redemption - "I mean, seriously, how often do you really look at a [person's] shoes?" No one will remember what your shoes looked like, but you will definitely remember how your feet felt if you wear uncomfortable shoes! You will do a lot of walking so be nice to your feet.
Quick tip - rent a bike! If you are like me and prefer riding to walking (I'm short and can't keep up w my long-legged compatriots), there are lots of places to rent bikes in Odense and the city is very easy to traverse by bike. I was able to rent one directly from my hotel last year!
You don't have to go to every session!
I repeat - you don't have to go to every session - or even a session during every time slot. Some of my favorite experiences from Codegarden were sitting around just talking to people and making new Umbraco friends. As an introvert, this is saying a lot! The talks are fabulous, inspiring and educational, but they are also recorded. So, seriously - don't stress out about attending every single one or packing your day so full that you don't have time to rest or breathe. Give yourself some space to just take in the experience, connect with people you already know and make some new friends! Codegarden is an experience like no other; enjoy it!
Quick tip - take time to unplug! Meditation sessions are available during Codegarden as well as a quiet area. Take advantage of them to unwind and reset.
Chargers, adapters and cables oh my!
In this digital world, having power is essential so bringing all your cables and chargers goes without saying. If you are traveling from abroad, an adapter is also a good idea. For those coming from the US, there are links to a couple of adapters I have used below (no, no kick backs if you buy anything!). The wifi and cell reception at the venue is spotty so I found that my phone battery drained pretty quickly. One thing I regret not bringing is a portable battery pack as charging outlets were in short supply.
For a complete packing list, check out Joe Glombek's post - https://joe.gl/ombek/blog/codegarden-packing-list/.
Quick tip - battery packs CANNOT be checked on most airlines, so pack your portable battery packs in your carry on!
Useful Tech:
Adapter - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B27HX6P7?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title_0_0&th=1 Adapter - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C2KSTK33?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title Charging Backpack (highly recommended by Janae Cram!) - https://www.amazon.com/Voltaic-Systems-Converter-Backpack-Battery/dp/B00CIYAFJW/ref=ast_sto_dp_puis
Bonus Tip: Get to the swag table early!
Those are my recommendations for enjoying Codegarden without running yourself ragged. Hope to see you there!
