Carolina Antunes

I applied to the event but I didn't think I would be accepted for many reasons like: few vacancies, restricted profile selection for people working in space activities , security procedures... 
So when I got selected I was very happy and felt very honoured too. Like a dream come true. 
Then it came the travelling agenda! Could I afford it? Could I fit it into my usual budget?  Yes. 
So there went why, days later, replying to Social Space for ESA team when all I wanted was to answer by the time I first received my eMail invitation! So I gladly replied and starting to wonder all about the place and the people I was about to meet!!! 
Then time went by and we started talking through FB through the group and I found the great Cindy which was gathering people to an activity  and I thought: "What a nice way to meet people before the event? " so I joined. Best thing I have done. Cindy deserves a special THANK YOU for being hard working, not giving up even when she realised she had lost the luggage with the Datanaut material. 
Being able to know the interior of a Space Agency was one of my biggest curiosities and dreams come true. Realising that there are so many cool people with the same interest for space was memorable, from all ages, all countries with different occupations but all united in the same goal.  
Then the event itself, the building facilities, the souvenirs as if our memories weren't enough and the tour listening to the specialists in each section/department of ESA. 
Between listening, uploading my social media with content,  charging devices talking to people I tried not to miss nothing and remarkably stood awake without ever feeling sleepless for the first time in many years,  true. 
It's different from watching on a screen alone laying in bed or sofa, as I usually do when I watch the launches but it was super special and exciting being there though I kept me in  low profile. I promise next time I won't be so discreet. 
I return to my daily life more happy and motivated and even a bigger fan of space activities specially now that I can interact with so many amazing people like Mark and many others. I guess we are forever connected and it makes me feel very happy.