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SXSW on a shoe-string

So, in customary last-minute style I’ve decided to go to SXSW Interactive this year. I can get a student ticket on the door so all I need to sort out is transport and accomodation. The cheapest air fare I can find at this point is $700+ (Expedia quoted me $415, then at the last minute laughed in my face and told me I couldn’t book the ticket). The Greyhound is $220 and although it’s a 20 hour journey each way the timetable is actually pretty decent, getting me to the conference for Friday evening and back by early Wednesday morning. It looks like I’m going to experience America close-up!

As for accomodation... anyone going and want to share a hotel room?

Posted 9th March 2004 at 7:10 am

This is SXSW on a shoe-string by Simon Willison, posted on 9th March 2004.

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12 comments

  1. You bastard!!

    Let me know if it's good ... I'm seriously considering rounding up a load of HCI-interested CompScis next year and taking them along...

    Meri - 9th March 2004 09:30 - #

  2. I took a Greyhound (bus ;-) from Boston to Toronto via Vermont two years ago, and the service was actually pretty good. Comfy buses and they were on time too! Enjoy SXSW.

    Martin Little - 9th March 2004 12:43 - #

  3. Most hotel rooms (the Hilton kind) have double beds. You should be able to share a room with someone who's on an expense account. I wish I could go...

    Peter - 9th March 2004 14:02 - #

  4. I should clarify that I'm not looking for a free room - just someone to split the price of a double with.

    Simon Willison - 9th March 2004 17:39 - #

  5. I took a 20hr bus ride on Greyhound once.

    Once.

    I swore that I would never repeat that experience.

    The bus itself was fine. It's just that some of the other passengers had apparently never learned about things like showers and deodorant.

    Dougal Campbell - 9th March 2004 18:11 - #

  6. I'm taking a 24 hour bus trip to Austria soon. With, what, 50 other 15 year old boys... don't even mention dedorant ;)

    David House - 9th March 2004 19:46 - #

  7. I agree with Dougal

    Ran Aroussi - 9th March 2004 20:51 - #

  8. Hi,

    I don't get in until Saturday or I'd take you up on this.

    Sorry... Hope to see you there.

    Scott Johnson of Feedster - 10th March 2004 21:17 - #

  9. Simon if you are going I will buy your conference pass for SXSW Interactive. I have a free one and I have been holding on to it for a good cause and I think I have now found that. Of course you will still have to figure out the airfair.

    Nick Finck - 10th March 2004 21:58 - #

  10. Simon, I'm staying with at my brother's apartment a few miles south of the convention location.

    If you've still not found a place to stay, I think he wouldn't mind an extra guest. You'd be on the couch, like me.

    My cell is 214 642 7502, and you should be able to reach me any (waking) time.

    Jeremy Dunck - 10th March 2004 23:19 - #

  11. Simon, I have thought about going but I am not 100% yet. Since it is only a 3 hr. drive for me I just might go. I have a whole lot of friends in Austin so if you need somewhere to stay, just let me know.

    Stephan

    Stephan Segraves - 11th March 2004 17:51 - #

  12. Standards on a shoestring. If the W3C don't support their own standards (ie check their site) then where are we headed? For one though I would be ditching the use of spacer gifs in the first place, let alone advertising the wart with an alt tag! A silver bullet for their sheer lack of common sense...

    Steven Clark - 22nd March 2004 12:58 - #

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