NASA astronaut visits Valašské Meziříčí

He visited Valašské Meziříčí on 5 August 2011 as part of his visit to the Czech Republic. Slightly delayed due to the journey from Zlín, he introduced himself to the sizeable audience to warm applause. The programme was engaging and the photographs are stunning. Some of them can certainly be found on the NASA website, but you'll never get the same commentary as from someone who's actually been in orbit. A video followed — also partly available online. It's no less engaging and interesting, especially the parts where the astronauts come up with all sorts of silliness that weightlessness allows. The Q&A with the audience didn't reveal anything not already widely known (most questions came from children). The autograph session that followed had a less than glorious ending. Before it started we were told that only those who had something prepared could join, and we shouldn't push. Once A.F. moved to the signing area the crowd started pushing towards the door, and it was announced that children have priority... the odd adult got in here and there, but only very sporadically... So I ended up being the first person who didn't get an autograph. What went through my head when the organiser announced that they were sorry but signing was over is unprintable. On the other hand I feel more sorry for the colleague next to me — he'd travelled 80 km to Valašské Meziříčí to get a signature and left with nothing.