This is my very first time at the conference, I'm really excited. Don't want to miss the best stuff. Does anyone has some recommendations or want to hang around there?
Some congress-goers see tons of talks, some see none. I wouldn't stress too much about it; do what you feel like, but be sure not to miss out on the non-talk-stuff, because that's an equally big part. For me the "best stuff" is meeting people, and an easy way to do that is to check out the assemblies/projects going on. For more about that see the wiki, which is the main source of info (apart from the Fahrplan) and is always being updated: https://events.ccc.de/congress/2018/wiki/Main_Page
#35c3 on hackint.org is the main IRC channel. Easy way to get answers. @c3infodesk on Twitter is worth following.
This year your wristband is also a public transport ticket valid in the city of Leipzig (zone 110). At night a special tram runs between Congress and the central station (Hauptbahnhof), so no need to worry about getting back.
The alcohol on offer inside is not very exciting, if you care about that. There is however a big supermarket (or hypermarket, rather) nearby, Globus, along with some restaurants/fast food places. No problem bringing in drinks/food from elsewhere to Congress. No security check whatsoever (pointing it out because while this is "obvious" to CCC people it might not be obvious to everyone).
Don't visit the talks unless there is some topic you're dying for, talk to the people outside the presentations and at the workshops instead, as well as the different surrounding venues. There is a lovely hacking CTF competition going on and I assume as usual there will be a large open space where people will show off their hacker project or hackerspaces. You can see all the talks afterwards online on YouTube instead.
I enjoy the talks. There is a lot to see and I make sure to see it, but the talks can be very entertaining and/or motivating. Asking questions online is harder compared to in the room, and you can usually also meet the speaker in person if you want to.
I see where you're coming from, but I don't agree with the statement "don't bother with the talks while you're there". Especially for someone who goes the first time, let them find what has value for them.
