11-02-2018 03:02 PM - edited 11-02-2018 03:03 PM
Before the recap let's go in the past. I was preparing for a very important exam which I failed by 1 marks. I was shattered, I didn't came out of my room for a week. But as they say God has better plans...
Came this!!!
My first reaction was, why me? I live in such a small town, there must be many deserving from India. After the feeling sinked in, came the first hurdle I didn't had a passport and my government issued documents had a mistake in my birth date ( which I never noticed 😉 ). After running pillar to post, this hurdle got cleared.
I was not working at that time because of an accident (long story). Came the next hurdle - American visa norms are very strict. I was clearly told by the visa consultant that I won't get it as I was unemployed, so I should not waste money by applying. But my credo being "think positive, be positive" I thought of giving it a try. Hurdle cleared I got the visa.
Then came the D - Day I have never been outside India. I was excited and nervous at the same time.
Cut to Newark Airport, I missed the connecting flight, because of immigration check. I was late, exhausted after 21 hours flight and a bit nervous.
I met Xeo at San Francisco airport, She was soo sweet and positive about life. Then we reached the hotel, where I met Salman, Himashi, Yasumi to name a few. The energy of the place was so lively and positive, as if we all knew each other since ages.
Everybody Carries a part of their country in their hearts and a country is made up of its people. By attending connect Live I feel I have visited 59 countries through the eyes of the fellow local guides. Thank you soo much Googlemaps for organising this event to perfection. This was one of the best experiences of my life. And I made friends and memories for a lifetime ❤️❤️❤️
A big thank you to Radhi, Shady, Stephen, Anuradha,Illankovan,Mahabub, Soniya, Salman, Yasumi, Koffi, Himashi, Archit, Emeka, Vandana and anybody. You guys have my heart.
(P.S - I couldn't find your usernames for tagging. Sorry)
11-02-2018 03:26 PM
Hello @PriyankaU
Really awesome recap, it's like a bunch of beautiful memories .
I m still feel that I missed all that fun and excitement of CL2018 ,
But I love to read and watch every recap & picture which shared by my local guides friends & CL2018 attendees.
Thanks for share.
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11-02-2018 04:38 PM
What a great experience @PriyankaU
I feel like I was there by reading every recap of CL18 experience from each of the attendants...
Kind regards
Sagir
11-02-2018 05:24 PM
Well done @PriyankaU
Don't worry about tagging people. We will find your post in any case. Happy to know more about your story, how you arrived to Connect Live. Hope, dreams, that in a moment are becoming true, new friends from all around the world, in a place where we have the same dreams. It was great to meet you, it is beautiful to meet you again.
Thank you for your post
Ermes
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11-02-2018 05:32 PM - edited 11-02-2018 05:40 PM
@PriyankaU so glad that despite the challenges and battles that you persevered and got through - cause it meant we all got the wonderful pleasure of meeting you!
So glad to have met you and I'm so glad Connect Live had such an impact in your life. Definitely friends/memories of a lifetime! 😊
11-02-2018 07:01 PM
Después de tantas vicisitudes pudiste llegar a San Francisco @PriyankaU, y para todos nosotros que tuvimos oportunidad de conocerte un poquito es lo mejor que nos pasó, eres una persona muy agradable y creo que ninguna ciudad es lo sucientemente pequeña o alejada que no merezca ser tenida en cuenta, jajaja 🙂 imagínate yo vivo al fin del mundo en un pueblo ovejero muy pequeño casi imperceptible en el mundo jajajaja, pero tambien tuve la suerte de poder ser escogido como tu para participar.
Saludos Farid
11-02-2018 07:47 PM
Hello @PriyankaU What an inspiring story of overcoming hurdles and staying positive, thanks for sharing your story and lovely photographs, you certainly look like you had a great time, well done getting there☺