Day —
We know you're crossing off the days until the event one by one on your calendar. Fold your way methodically through the models in the digital book, vent your anxiety in the WhatsApp group and be patient: we can only put on one event a year.
A few months before
Sign-ups are open, for heaven's sake! Sign up now: it's cheaper and you get a better slot for picking workshops.
60 days before
We're still in last year's WhatsApp group, and some early bird will start asking about the pins. Don't panic, but don't relax either: it's not tomorrow, but there isn't that much time. It's time to start thinking about the pins, the cards and your personal exhibit. Okay, fine, panic, get over it and start folding.
1 day before
You can still pull an all-nighter and put that anxiety to work. If you didn't start earlier, you can at least show up with 10 pins (save one for me!); nothing beats a pin made on anxiety and adrenaline. Pack your bag and get ready for the weekend you've been waiting for.
Day 1
Wait out the night before the event starts (sleeping matters, even if the nerves won't let you).
On the big day, head to the venue, a couple of hours before everything starts if you like. You're sure to find another anxious Origamist around the area: you can have lunch together (breakfast, in extreme cases), grab a coffee and wait until 3 o'clock (we've learned our lesson: the exhibition can't be set up in half an hour).
Pick up your kit and, if you folded something for the Exhibition, go set it up; Alejo Erazo will be waiting for you. Don't despair, be patient. Wait calmly while you go through the kit (make a mental list of what you'll add to the box for the next day).
Ready for the canelazo (a hot Andean cinnamon drink) and the opening! By now you've surely folded something in the hallways, caught up with old friends or met your crew for the weekend.
Get ready not to sleep tonight either.
Sleep, please! … Wait for day 2.
Day 2
Since you couldn't fall asleep early and finally dozed off around 4 am, hurry up, because you're going to be late.
While you travel to the event by TransMilenio, taxi, Uber, bike, teleportation or running, go to the website and pick your workshops. Don't panic: if it won't let you in, maybe it's not your turn yet. If you're the one driving, pull over to sign up; don't use your phone while driving!
Spend the whole day folding and get mentally ready for the group photo. If you're the planning type, you already know where you'll have lunch; if not, relax: some groups have already scoped out the area, just tag along with whichever one catches your eye.
Fighting off sleep, go to the afternoon workshops, get ready for the chocogami and, for heaven's sake, if you signed up for the cards, hand them in: they've been looking for you since yesterday.
ONLY IF YOU'RE OF LEGAL AGE, get ready for the chiva (a party bus ride; no sleep tonight either).
Day 3
If you managed to get up, see you at the event.
Everything else, same as day two.
Awards, closing ceremony, hot chocolate. You'll feel a slight nostalgia that will last until the next event.
Day 4
Off-program plans will probably pop up, so keep an eye on the event's WhatsApp. The excitement keeps us meeting up for as long as two weeks straight; if you feel like joining one, we'll see you there.
