In January, I had the pleasure of joining the Mensa Ski Weekend in Pohorje Village, Slovenia. The weather was not very promising on Thursday evening when it was raining and the ground was still snowless, but apparently the organising team did some magic overnight and on Friday morning, like ordered, there was a perfect 20cm layer of powder snow covering the Pohorje hills for Mensans to enjoy skiing in the sunny and crisp weather.

The event is not only for skiing enthusiasts, but activities are organised for non-skiing people, like me, as well. I had the pleasure to join the survival workshops for fire making, orienteering, and adaptation to cold environments. There were walking trails and art activities, and reiki for early birds. The venue had a pool and sauna for relaxing.

Saturday the Pležuh Competition took place, which is a downhill race with one-ski sledges. It was great fun and I had the luck of winning the fastest run for women 🙂. The local journalists visited the competition and wrote a short article about the Ski Weekend to the local newspaper.

In the evenings, Ice Breaker and Casino Royale theme nights kept Mensa members entertained, and on Sunday the last members on the venue had a late farewell lunch at a local restaurant, where the food was fabulous and it was plenty.

The event was very well organised and it reached the record number of attendees with 89 members from 19 countries from all over the world. Thank you to the organisers for making this event such an enjoyable experience for us!

The first "Mensa In Quota" (at altitude) was held in Italy at the beginning of February: a weekend in the central Alps, between the regions of Trentino and Lombardy, in one of the snowiest areas of Italy.

The initiative was organized by the secretary of Emilia-Romagna, Silvia Giordano, and the secretary of Lombardy, Gaia Satta. Ponte di Legno, a town about 1300 meters above sea level and at the foot of the Presena glacier, which reaches an altitude of 3000 meters, is the place we chose for this special event.

The proposed activities were designed both for those who love snow sports and for those who simply love the beauty of the landscapes and their good food in the mountains. And obviously we haven't forgotten about our unfailing common passion: board games!

The participants of the "In Quota" weekend arrived on Friday evening and settled in the shared apartments in the village. The first evening passed between gastronomic specialties typical of the areas of origin of each participant, Italian wines, and board games.

On the beautiful sunny day of Saturday, there were those who skied, those who snowboarded on the 100 km of slopes of the area, and those who walked along the nearby trekking routes. There were some who simply sat in the hut to admire the glacier and enjoy the sun's rays.

In the afternoon, we attended a concert at high altitude inside an ice dome; it was a very cold, but truly exciting hour, in which the musicians played electronic instruments built with ice and played the best songs of Nirvana, in unplugged version. Once the concert was over, after so much effort, the moment finally arrived for delicious Italian food. In a restaurant also at high altitude, with a magnificent view of the Presena glacier, we participated in a Michelin-starred dinner that truly left us in bliss, with its beautiful dishes with locally grown ingredients.

Sunday flew by in the blink of an eye: time to climb back up to altitude and let ourselves be won over by some more sun, more "bombardino" (Zabov-based alcoholic drink, typical of mountain areas), and typical mountain dishes, all always accompanied by the spectacular landscapes of the Alps.

We plan to repeat this event again in the future, in order to bring together more and more people from Mensa who are passionate about snow, the mountains, their foods, wines and landscapes.

Floreat Mensa (even at high altitude)!

I was incredibly fortunate to be part of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Hong Kong Mensa in 2023, and what a weekend it was! Packed with intellectual stimulation, laughter, and genuine connections, it left me feeling truly uplifted.

Throughout the AGM, we had an absolute blast. From engaging in games that tested our minds to sharing delicious meals, the atmosphere was vibrant with energy and friendship. We exchanged nuanced jokes and laughter, creating an environment where everyone felt connected.

The camaraderie among members was palpable, and from the moment we arrived, the venue was buzzing with friendly faces eager to engage in deep conversations and activities. It wasn't just about the intellectual discussions, though those were fantastic; it was the bonds formed with fellow members that truly made the experience unforgettable.

As we shared meals together, effortlessly discussing topics from philosophy to science, it became clear that these connections were what made the AGM so special. It reminded us all of the profound impact of human connection and the joy of surrounding ourselves with inspiring individuals.

Attending the AGM was a transformative experience, and it left us eagerly anticipating the next gathering. It's moments like these that remind us of the importance of community and the growth that comes from being part of such an extraordinary group of people.

Venice, Italy, stands out as a quintessential travel destination, celebrated for its unparalleled beauty, historical depth, and architectural magnificence. The cultural vibrancy of Venice is palpable, with its numerous museums, galleries, and historic theaters enriching the city's artistic landscape.

Events like the Venice Carnival add even more color and festivity to its streets. The Venice Carnival stands out as a highlight in the city's bustling calendar of events, transforming Venice into a vibrant tableau of masks, costumes, and revelry. This historic festival, known for its elaborate masks and costumes, encapsulates the spirit of Venice, blending art, history, and celebration into an unforgettable spectacle that draws visitors from around the world. The Carnival is not just a display of ornate craftsmanship but also a profound expression of Venice's cultural identity, inviting participants to step back in time and experience the city's storied past amidst its present-day beauty.

Mensa Italy recently hosted an event: "Experience the Magic of the Venice Carnival: A Journey Through Mystery, History, and Fun" held the week of February 9–13. They organized special events such as a Welcome Dinner of culinary delights at Forte Marghera and a guided tour through Venice's famous bacari to explore cicchetti and local wine. They coordinated hotel booking options and created a Telegram group to help Mensans stay updated and connect with fellow adventurers.

The experience of Venice was significantly enhanced as we were accompanied by a local like Gabriele, whose deep knowledge of the city's lore and history brings an additional layer of intrigue to the visit. The insights shared by such a guide can transform a simple tour into an unforgettable journey, revealing hidden gems, authentic dining spots, and the finest coffee houses that might otherwise remain unknown to the casual visitor. This personalized exploration adds a layer of authenticity and pleasure, making the Venetian experience genuinely invaluable.

Witnessing the city transform into a living stage where tradition and festivity intertwine was an unforgettable experience.

Each year, the Floating Mensans event gathers people from the Nordic countries and other parts of the world to meet each other and introduce Nordic culture to members. Mensans have floated since 2017 and the hosting responsibilities rotate between Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. The 2023 Floating Mensans was hosted by Finland in July.

This year's cruise started on Friday from Helsinki with 17 participants from all over Finland and a member from Denmark. We had a nice dinner together on board to get to know each other and then headed to do some tax-free shopping and enjoy a cabin party. We played some party games and ended the evening with a bit of karaoke and dancing!

On Saturday, we had the pleasure of spending the day in Stockholm. The local Mensans were fantastic hosts and took good care of the floaters. During the day, the participants could participate in a walking tour and get to know the history of the city, play an escape room game, do some shopping, and end the day with a lunch with local members. The participants returned to the ship and we picked up some members to travel with us to Helsinki.

Once we were back on board, we had a special bingo organized that included tasks that the participants had to do in order to win. The first one to finish won a special price! As Mensans often are, some members were very quick on their feet and finished it in record time. The filled bingo card needed to be handed to the host in person. The winner ran to the spa area, fully clothed, to hand in the form while the host was relaxing in the hot tub. Great dedication to the game as always! The night ended with a Grand Buffet, a nice house band show, and some more karaoke. Nordic Mensans love to sing when given the chance!

On Sunday, we arrived back in Helsinki. Members had the option of exploring the city and a nice outside pool area and saunas. The weather was sunny and the relaxing time was well needed. After some lunch in the city, the members returning to Stockholm left back to the ship. The evening included a nice dinner, house band, and a fun evening on board. The cruise ended the following Monday morning.

If you would like to get to know the Nordic members, countries, and cultures in the future, you are very welcome aboard to the next Floating Mensans 2024 sailing between Norway and Denmark. Stay tuned for more information!

Far and Bright, the latest in the family of fun recurring events for Mensans, hosted a trip to Benin and Togo in January, 2024. Benin and Togo are former French colonies and also the land where voodoo originated, centuries before being spread to the Americas.

Fourteen participants (12 Mensans and 2 partners) came together in shorts and T-shirts (while it snowed in Europe) and had a one-of-a-kind blast hanging out for 10 days, exploring a number of novel attractions, and of course a lot of eating, drinking and swimming with friends. Highlights included: Ganvié, the Venice of West Africa, an integrated organic farm, playing with pythons in Ouidah, voodoo dances, watching thousands of bats migrate, palm wine distillery in the forest, sun, beaches, and coconuts.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable and worldview-expanding experience in a setting very different from what most Mensans experience in their day to day lives. Participants said “Most interesting trip of my life," "Well worth the effort," and "Well-coordinated and so much fun!"