For the iGEM KULeuven team, the 2008 Jamboree started officially this morning! At 9 o´clock, 11 excited students and 2 of their coaches checked in for the flight to Boston. Unfortunately, Andim did not get her visum in time so she could not join us… After celebrating Antoine´s 21st birthday (yes, 30 hours of celebration ánd beer in the US!), we left for Paris and then Boston. While we were toasting on a good Jamboree with Champagne (even Hanne although still under 21 , we spotted the French team, partly because they were finishing their presentation on the plane, but mostly because some team members were quite impressed with their student leader´s looks. Luckily some distraction in the 7 hours of flight! First encounter with the USA was a group picture in front of the Stars and Stripes and some extensive eye checking and finger printing. Especially Dries appeared to be a tough customer for American Custom & Immigration. Next stop, the hotel ánd the MIT Stata center! What a building! Not easy to find the room we would practice our presentation in, but quite impressive. Not to mention the heaps of pizza, cookies and the liters Coca cola (and, ok, the French team…). Despite all impressions, the students stayed calm as they rehearsed the Dr. Coli presentation in the big MIT auditorium. When finally the jet lag kicked loose, we returned to the hotel for a well-deserved night sleep. See you tomorrow!