The meeting officially started today but sunny Barcelona makes it tough for ESOF attendees to stay inside, so several science outreach activities take place in the fresh air. One of the more visually arresting was yesterday's balloon-aided launch of a mammoth paper boat that had been created by local children and adults. It's hard not to hear or see science this week in the city. On my plane flight to Barcelona, I noticed a person working on his slide presentation for ESOF. It was fascinating enough I plan to attend his talk tomorrow and tell him I spied on him--look for a report tomorrow afternoon.
It's obvious that ESOF presents a European perspective on science--a session that just ended saw a debate over the German and UK stem cell positions. And I also overheard this provocative snippet of conversation from an attendee strolling through the Place Espanya:
"I don't know why Americans always think their system is the best one?"
Perhaps by the time the meeting ends Tuesday I'll know the subject of her annoyance. If not, I'm sure my colleagues will keep you entertained. One is now watching a man make bubbles big enough that he can step into them. I'm guessing that the science of surface tension is involved?
--John Travis
