My first day at the conference started early, when we (the SustainUS delegates) were shipped off to the Convention Center on one of the shuttle buses. There, we registered and got our fancy official NGO ID cards, before we headed inside to catch the end of the CBD Alliance meeting. After a brief press conference for the CBD Alliance, the Opening Ceremony began. Later that afternoon, we split up to attend various Side Events that coincided with our interests. I attended an IIFB side event regarding indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge. It was extremely interesting, and raises additional issues to the already complex situation at hand. After a few additional meetings, primarily with GYBN (Global Youth Biodiversity Network), we left the convention center to an offsite dinner. It was extremely extravagant, and again, I could not believe that I was there, that life was real. I seem to have been getting that sensation quite frequently lately. After delicious food, free drinks, dancing, and Bollywood entertainment, I headed back to the hotel for much needed sleep along with the rest of the SustainUS delegation.
