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May 1, 2005:
PEP 2005 reunion activities:
* Saturday 7 May, Olid Meliá hotel:
* Sunday 8 May:
For those planning to be there - "See you soon!" and "¡Hasta pronto!"
For those who will not be there - "We'll miss you!"
March 13, 2005:
Another update on plans for the PEP 2005 reunion.
First - a change of venue for the Sunday fiesta. Meson Cigales closed down last year and the new owners will not have it opened until later this year. Jose Ramon looked around for a substitute and settled on 'La Nieta' in Fuensaldana. Most of you will remember Fuensaldana for its castle, bodegas and the end-of-campaign celebration there in 1981, so there are good memories attached to the place and we can look forward to a having a great time there on May 8.
The list of participants who sent back the questionaire is growing. I don't have a good count, but we are probably 20 or so at the moment. Many haven't responded yet, undestandably, and hopefully will do so soon. Also, it would be helpful if those who decided not to come would also let us know their decision, so that we can close in on a better estimate of how many of us will participate.
So - all is shaping up for a fun time re-converging such a diverse group of people. With only two months left, hopefully those who still hesitate will soon decide to come and will return the questionnaire included with the February 8 entry below.
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.................... A. Hotel reservations
Having tried the system, it seems best to make reservations in the Olid, for those who want, by email to <melia.olid@solmelia.com>. Make reference to: "Grupo Meteorologia - Jose Ramon DeGrado", state "Pago directo" (meaning 'will pay in person' and thus no credit card is needed for guarantee), give the names of both persons in case of double rooms, and ask for confirmation by return email. Changes and cancellations can be made no later than 20 days prior to date of arrival; this too has to be in writing (email or fax).
..................... B. Travel Madrid - Valladolid
1. Rental car Driving from Madrid to Valladolid should take 2-1/2 to 3 hours. There is a divided autopista all the way. Getting out of Madrid is the only hard part, beyond that it is easy going. Hertz, Eurocar or Avis Class B car: between 40 and 43 Eu /day for periods of 7 days or more. Includes tax and insurance (basic, collision and theft), and is for 350 km/day. This information is from 'Viajes Corte Ingles' for agencies they work with. Other offers (on the web or elsewhere) may be better.
2. Train - Madrid, Estacion de Chamartin to Valladolid: Roughly 2:30 travel time. There are different types of trains (Talgo, InterCity, Regional,...), but the time of travel is about the same for all of them, the diffences are in type of seating etc. and minor variations in price. Prices for second class seats: 18-20 Eu one way, 26-30 return fare Schedule: 9 am, 10 am ,11:30 am, .....
Can look at exact schedule for the day of travel on <www.renfe.es>. Seats are reserved by number on all the trains, I think, so tickets have to purchesed ahead of time, or at the station. In the latter case leave about half an hour for doing so. Phone orders can be placed with credit card: 902-24-02-02; then get ticket from automated station at Chamartin, in same area as the regular ticket counters, using the same credit card. With ticket in hand, watch the large display and TV monitors to see from which platform the train will depart. Once this is displayed there is not much time to waste, the trains seem to spend relatively little time in the station.
To Chamartin from the airport - take Metro #8 to station called Nuevos Ministerios (end of line) and from there #10 to Chamartin (third stop toward Fuencarral). The Metro is great - modern, easy to use. Need to buy a ticket (hence need Euros) from automat or from ticket counter; one ticket is valid for a trip regardless of length or changes from one line to the next.
February 8, 2005:
The PEP reunion is getting closer by the minute and planning is getting into high gear. This note is to let you know where things stand and to ask that you let us know about your intentions to attend.
The dates are - as set previously - the weekend of May 7 and 8, 2005. Planned activities for the group as a whole will get underway the afternoon of the 7th, so that it is possible for people with short travel distances to arrive in Valladolid the same morning. Similarly, the last activity will be the 'comida' in the Meson Cigales that will end by 5 or so in the afternoon on Sunday, the 8th, again making return home the same day feasible for some.
The activities now envisaged will be:
* Saturday 16:30-19:30 pm: Short reflections on 25 years of science and personal histories (site to be announced)
* Saturday evening (21:00) dinner with slide-show of old memories (Olid Melia)
* Sunday 2 pm: dinner at Meson Cigales
More detail:
On Saturday afternoon, short (10-15 min) talks will be given by a range of PEP participants with the intention of looking back 25 years and talk about the place PEP has in the history of weather modification, individual science endeavours, personal histories and so on.
For the post-dinner slide show on Saturday evening, the thought is to ask everyone to contribute a few favorite photographs from PEP days and put them together in a slide show. Pictures sent to Gabor in whatever format will be converted for inclusion in the slide show. Commentaries will be invited from the authors of the photographs.
The fiesta at the Meson Cigales is just that - a fiesta.
A few practical matters:
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hotel Olid Melia by Jose Ramon de Grado under his name for Friday,
Saturday and Sunday nights. The rates are 60 Euros for double room with single occupancy, breakfast included, and 72 Euros for double occupancy and two breakfasts included. everyone needs to make resevations directly with the Hotel (see contact information below). Additional days can be booked, of course, at the same time. We believe that the same rates will apply to the additional days, but it seems wise to have this specifically confirmed at the time reservations are made.
Jose Ramon mentioned the possibility that one of the group meals will be a gift of the INM. Not a promise yet. In any event, each meal will probably run around 35 Euros per person.
We hope that this is enough information to start putting individual plans together.
IMPORTANT REQUEST - please copy the questionaire below, fill it out and send it to both Jose Ramon (degrado@inm.es) and Gabor(vali@uwyo.edu) as soon as possible. This is important so that the decision about where to hold the Saturday afternoon session and dealings with the hotel and the Meson are based on realistic estimates of the numbers of people who will participate. Would also appreciate knowing if someone decidedly will not be coming. Naturally none of this is binding and later changes will not surprise anyone.
1. Will stay at Olid Melia: yes no
if yes - approx arrival date: departure date:
2. Attendance Saturay afternoon: sure uncertain definitely no
3. Saturday evening dinner: sure uncertain definitely no
number of persons:.......
4. Meson Cigales: sure uncertain definitely no
number of persons:.......
5. Will send photos for slide show: yes no
Please let Jose Ramon and Gabor know if you have questions or suggestions.
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October 20, 2004: With the kind help of José del Hoyo the emai list has been augmented with the names of many of the INM observers from the 1981 field campaign. There is a link lower down this page to get to the list.
September 3, 2004: No news to add, but it seemed a good idea to confirm that plans are unchanged. The basic facts are these: The weekend of May 7-8, 2005 will have the main events, at the Olid Melia Hotel in Valladolid, and at the Mason Cigales. The hotel has been renovated in the recent past and looks pretty good on their web page [www.meliaolid.solmelia.com]. The published rate for a single room at this time is 88 Euros, double room is 110 Euros. We were promised a somewhat reduced rate and use of meeting rooms. All that will be firmed up early next year and we will pass on the results to everyone as soon as possible. Other hotels people may want to consider are the "Hotel Felipe IV" and the "Hotel Juan de Austria". Travel agencies may also offer package deals.
In the meantime, please le me know any additional addresses for people to be contacted. There are many names missing from the current mailing list. So far, email has been the principal means of contact; perhaps there are others who should be contacted by regular mail or by phone.
April 21, 2004: Araceli Carballal made a quick visit to Valladolid and confirmed that the Hotel Olid Melia will facilitate our visit there, with reduced rates, use of conference rooms, etc. The hotel has been recently remodeled and modernized. She also went to Cigales and had a great lunch at the Meson Cigales. So, it looks assured that we will be able to revisit the old places.
February 28, 2004: Drs. Bojkov, List,and Manaenkova have indicated that, among many other upcoming WMO activities, the reunion too may be a good opportunity for some serious talk about weather modification, both past and future. They also remind us that the planning of PEP started much before the field campaign, going back as far as 1975.
February 15, 2004: Bob Cunningham sent this photo showing him with his fog collector on the Canadian Kent Island. It seems that his health will not allow him to come to PEP-2005 but he sends his greetings to all.
February 9, 2004: Tentative date for the reunion is the weekend of May 8-9, 2005. Activities will center on these days, most likely at the Hotel Olid Melia of PEP fame in Valladolid. A feast in Cigales, of course, will ba part of the affair.
February 2, 2004: Responses so far (at least 6-8 very positive; a few others more tentative) show that the reunion will go ahead for sure. Current count is at least 15 people, including spouses/friends.
MESON CIGALES, MAY 6, 1980. Does that ring a bell?? -- The closing party of the middle year of PEP.
Through numerous contacts over the years, the idea seemed to be growing to mark the 25th anniversary of PEP with a gathering of friends.
The notion is to get together in Valladolid for a few days near the May 6, 2005 anniversary date. At one level it is to be a meeting of friends, but it could also have some more formal WMO/OMM and/or INM links as well.
Even if just a dozen or so people come, it will be worthwhile, I think. The main event could well be augmented by excursions to the villages and towns of Castilla.
I am assembling a mailing list and asking everyone's help to add names and addresses (email, if at all possible) to the list. My initial list is pretty small, as I had no recent contacts with many PEP participants. To help fading memories, lists of participants for each year of the project are reproduced here (copied from PEP Report # 34).
It'd be great to hear from those who think they will attend, or would just like to be kept informed, so I can put them on the mailing list.
Gabor Vali (vali@uwyo.edu)
MESÓN CIGALES, 6 de mayo de 1980. ¿Os suena? -- El festejo final del año intermedio del P.I.P.
A través de numerosos contactos a lo largo de estos años, ha ido creciendo la idea de señalar el 25 aniversario del PIP con una reunión de amigos.
Se trata de reunirnos en Valladolid unos cuantos días alrededor del 6 de mayo del año 2005. A este "encuentro de amigos" se podrían añadir algunas, más formales, conexiones con la OMM y/o el INM.
Incluso si sólo vinieran una docena de personas merecería la pena, creo yo. A la celebración principal podrían muy bien sumarse excursiones a los pueblos y ciudades de Castilla.
Estoy reuniendo una lista de correos y pidiendo ayuda a todos para añadir nombres y direcciones (e-mail si fuese posible) a la lista. Mi lista inicial es bastante pequeña, dada mi falta de contactos recientes con la mayoría de los participantes del PIP. Para ayuda de lejanos y vagos recuerdos, reproduzco aquí las listas de participantes para cada año del proyecto (copiado del PEP Report # 34).
Sería bueno saber quienes creen que podrían venir, o simplemente prefieren mantenerse informados, para ponerles en la lista de correos.
Gabor Vali (vali@uwyo.edu)
