Lindau Meeting the Official 1st Day
Jun 30, 2009 04:09 AM Filed in: Chemistry
Today was the first day of the Lindau meeting that featured a normal schedule (lectures by the Nobel laureates, along with small group discussions). The schedule of lectures included Gerhard Ertl, Richard Ernst, Ryoji Noyori, F. Sherwood Rowland, Paul Crutzen and Harmut Michel. Richard Ernst’s talk was perhaps the most memorable as he pushed the need to have a passion for something other than chemistry. He exemplified this with a talk dedicated to his love for the culture and art of Tibet.
Again the U.S. delegation hosted student, this time for lunch, and this time the U.K. and Australia served as our guests. I didn’t get any international student to sit at my table, so I got to know a few of my fellow American representatives.
Running short on time because of the casual European pace of lunch I stumbled into the closest small group discussion with a Nobel laureate, which happened to be Ertl’s. It was interesting enough, and relatively small, I’d say 30 or so students (not bad considering there are 580 students here and only 4 laureates with small group discussions today).
Dinner tonight was hosted by India and held in the Inselhalle. I had occasion to sit down and chat with Walter Kohn, one-on-one during dinner. When asked what was the best advice he ever received was, he replied [paraphrased]: “ask for advice, but don’t necessarily follow it.” In any case, he was very pleasant. Shortly after dinner Indian song and dance was presented, which was quite interesting. After that, it was time to dance. There was a procession in which the men presented carnations to the women and then joined in the waltz.
To top off the night, the U.S. was supposed to present a gift to Countess Bettina Bernadotte and have our picture taken with her (as a group). Earlier this day we were told that this would be done when there was a break in the music, and the Countess was available. To me, this means, go about my business and when Americans start making their way to the front of the hall, follow. Ironically I ran into a UC Davis Alum and the two of us stepped outside (to the bar) along with a few other American, where we could chat. Right after we picked up our drinks we notice the American delegation lined up at the front of the hall. As I thought it might be bad taste to run into the picture with a drink in my hand, I simply opted out... there went my chance to have my picture taken with a Countess, oh well, I guess.
Again the U.S. delegation hosted student, this time for lunch, and this time the U.K. and Australia served as our guests. I didn’t get any international student to sit at my table, so I got to know a few of my fellow American representatives.
Running short on time because of the casual European pace of lunch I stumbled into the closest small group discussion with a Nobel laureate, which happened to be Ertl’s. It was interesting enough, and relatively small, I’d say 30 or so students (not bad considering there are 580 students here and only 4 laureates with small group discussions today).
Dinner tonight was hosted by India and held in the Inselhalle. I had occasion to sit down and chat with Walter Kohn, one-on-one during dinner. When asked what was the best advice he ever received was, he replied [paraphrased]: “ask for advice, but don’t necessarily follow it.” In any case, he was very pleasant. Shortly after dinner Indian song and dance was presented, which was quite interesting. After that, it was time to dance. There was a procession in which the men presented carnations to the women and then joined in the waltz.
To top off the night, the U.S. was supposed to present a gift to Countess Bettina Bernadotte and have our picture taken with her (as a group). Earlier this day we were told that this would be done when there was a break in the music, and the Countess was available. To me, this means, go about my business and when Americans start making their way to the front of the hall, follow. Ironically I ran into a UC Davis Alum and the two of us stepped outside (to the bar) along with a few other American, where we could chat. Right after we picked up our drinks we notice the American delegation lined up at the front of the hall. As I thought it might be bad taste to run into the picture with a drink in my hand, I simply opted out... there went my chance to have my picture taken with a Countess, oh well, I guess.