Afterwards, we had "group pizza"! (only Lajkonik will understand the significance of this term!) Unfortunately, the rain didn't stop throughout the night and on Saturday it continued to be very heavy and was just generally miserable. Saturday was to be our day out at St Kilda and shopping. Of course we went regardless of the weather! On the way back we managed to get very wet and hopelessly lost, struggling in a City that we didn't know too well, on public transport. I vowed at that point to learn the "apps" on my Blackberry so that I can be a better leader/navigator next time.

Thanks to the staff of The Grand Hotel who so kindly printed off maps and directions to "the teacher" and helped me to orient myself and head with the group towards the appropriate bus stop. The 8km back to the accommodation may as well have been 80km - it took ages, and we were all tired. We wondered about the Festival being a wash-out on Sunday, and whether this big effort going interstate to participate in the Melbourne Festival was going to be wasted.

Upon returning, Basia Smietanka, Ewa Dulska and Ela Chorobski, quickly organised a hot dinner for all 21 people in our group. We had home-made Chorobski sausages, salads and potatoes - simple but really appreciated. After dinner, the boys went off to play games at Laser City, whilst the girls stayed in having spas and girl time. We adults just sat around talking with a glass of wine, reminiscing about the year that had gone by and all that had happened. Dance groups go hand -in-hand with all sorts of real-life dramas, so it was nice to sit around together and express how we feel about eanything and everything.

Sunday, we were up bright and early, to organise breakfast, check costumes, and the girls doing hair and makeup. Maxi cabs picked us up to take us to Federation Square. after 10am. When we arrived at Federation Square, with all our luggage and costume bags (5 costumes weight 13.5kg!) it was all happening. We found our way to the side of the stage and discovered our change room was a tent with just enough room for our luggage and costumes. We were left wondering how we were going to manage to put ourselves in there as well. We made do as we are used to coping in difficult situations.

There were thousands of people and there was lots of brilliant sunshine. A wonderful and dynamic atmosphere - we just lapped it all up. Festival organisers quickly made contact and before too long we found ourselves interchanging with Lowicz (Melbourne) and Syrenka (Sydney) in Part A of the concert programme. Melburnians smiled up at Lajkonik dancers from the area in front of the stage, and Mirek from Lowicz came over and gave me a big hug!. We agreed to catch up afterwards but as per usual, there was no time, and after a quick walk around the Festival area after our performances, it was time to head back to Tullamarine Airport to catch a plane home.

It was a great weekend, and from all accounts, Lajkonik had a good time time. We thank the Polish Festival Federation Square Committee for inviting us and for surprising us a few days afterwards with a contribution towards our expenses. We hope to go again, possibly not in 2012, as we will be saving our resources for Polart Perth, but definitely in 2013.