First London TravBuddy Meetup - Maybe, I'm Amazed

Cutoff pic of London TravBuddies

FIRST LONDON TRAVBUDDY MEETUP

There are other writings and/or photo galleries about this wonderful evening. Please make sure to check out ALL of the other fantastic blogs, including:

2win (Rubina): www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/24061

hannah-lou (Hannah): www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/23807

londonstudent (John): www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/24396

lovely_lori88 (Lori): www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/24550

Never Mind the Bullocks, Here Come the TravBuddies

What a wild and wonderful winter night! Over the evening, we had 24 fabulous folks join in a mythical maze of merriment: 2 for 1 cocktails, superb Japanese food, presents for every attendee, a wonderful scavenger contest that had some of us wandering happily all over London, the first TravBuddy sleepover.

John, Hannah, Ben, Sarah, Ruby & Me

Our 24 London TravBuddy Meetup attendees:

Drop me a note if you know of others, and I will update the list.

1. 2win – Rubina (Ruby), London, UK.                        

2, Becky (Bex), Kent UK (Louisa’s friend).                             

3. ben589 – Ben, London, UK (Australia).

4. Bluejule79 – Amanda, London, UK (Canada).

Ruby, Bex & Louisa clown for camera

5. bluewheel – Can, London, UK (Turkey)

6. DazedandConfused78 – Primrose, London, UK.

7. Garrymac, Garry, London, UK

8. globetrottingmike – Mike, Hertfordshire, UK.
9. hannah-lou – Hannah, Australia.

10. jlbjlb – Noel, Farnborough, UK (Philippines).

Noel, Lori & Tet

14. maplefanta – Patrick, Wandsworth, UK (Canada).

15. Mat-uk – Matthew, London, UK.
16. mattgtfour – Matt, London, UK.
17. nathan85 – Nathan, London, UK.

John & Hannah

18. otto219 – Warren, London, UK.

19. Paul, London, UK (Garry’s friend).

20. rb9 – Ryan, London, UK (TX, US).
21. sarahelaine – Sarah Elaine, Swindon, UK (Edinburgh).
22. sweetet – Tet, London, UK.
23. tanyas82 – Tanya, London, UK (Australia).

24.

Amanda, Warren & Tanya unwrap gifts

The Night’s Events – The Long and Winding Road

Ruby wisely selected the 55 Lounge in Camden Town for the first London TravBuddy Meetup. The place featured a friendly staff and 2 for 1 cocktails from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

I wanted to make sure I blended in with all the Brits, so I was careful to wear a Sherlock Holmes houndstooth deerstalker hat and a Beatles T-Shirt I had purchased earlier that day on Baker Street. There’s nothing worse than being spotted as a tourist.  J

Soon after I arrived, the TravBuddy invasion started. The section of the lounge Ruby had reserved was perfect for mingling. Every person was friendly and made a genuine effort to circulate around the room and visit.

Team under Matthew's Millenium Dome

It was especially thrilling for me to see Amanda (Bluejule79) again. She and Angela (angelalovestotravel) were the only two women at our very first TravBuddy Get-Together in Bunratty, Ireland in September 2007. Amanda and Angela hit it off so well, they recently traveled overseas together. It’s amazing to see the lasting relationships that have started from these TravBuddy Meetups.

After Happy Hour ended and all of us were properly lubricated, Ruby led us across the street to Wagamama. The restaurant serves a variety of Japanese noodle and fusion dishes. I happily ordered chicken katsu curry; it was delicious.

As we were finishing dinner, Ruby and Lori got up and spoke. Lori gave Ruby a card of appreciation from all of us for her outstanding efforts to organize the evening. Then the gals outdid themselves; Ruby and Lori passed out presents for each of us. All of the one-of-a-kind favors depicted an aspect of lovely London. You’d have thought it was Christmas morning seeing the joy and wonder on our faces as we eagerly unwrapped our gifts.

The gals then had us break into small groups. A few folks had to leave; however, most of us stayed around for the fun. I teamed up with Warren, Tanya and Primrose. We had to come up with a name, so we chose Awesome Foursome. Each team was to roam London, shoot pictures with famous landmarks, earn Scavenger Hunt points and return to 55 Lounge within an hour.

While the other teams spread out over the city, our foursome decided to not be so awesome.

Ruby & Lori rate scavenger teams

Later, we tried to earn some creative points. When “The Originals” team arrived, we had our photo taken under the bar’s “Millennial dome”, Matthew’s bald head. In another flash of brilliance (I think the alcohol was kicking in), Warren stood proud and posed as Trafalgar Square’s Lord Nelson statue.

When everyone had returned to the Lounge, Ruby and Lori huddled together, examined each team’s pics and assigned points. UNBELIEVABLY, we failed to win…

First Place – 2+2.

Amanda, Matt (mattgtfour), Mike and Tet.

Second Place – Ruby, Ruby, Ruby

Can, John, Nathan and Sarah.

Third Place – The Originals.

Ben, Matthew (mat-uk), Noel and Patrick.

Fourth Place – Awesome Foursome.

Primrose realizes we're engaged

Mark, Primrose, Tanya and Warren.

As our foursome continued to chat, Primrose and I discovered that Warren (UK) and Tanya (Australia) had corresponded as TravBuddy pals. Warren met Tanya on her arrival in England and the two quickly turned into boyfriend and girlfriend.

Primrose and I looked around the Lounge and noticed many couples were beginning to pair off. Wanting to join in the TravBuddy Meetup spirit, I proposed to Primrose and she accepted. However, our plans for a quick marriage were thwarted when we realized it would probably be a good idea for her divorce to be finalized first. We’ll be sure to invite all one million+ TravBuddies when we set the official date (tentatively 4 January 2010). However, there’s no reason to wait until the nuptials; feel free to send your gifts today! We’ll also gladly accept pounds and dollars.  J

After all the team honors were awarded, we noticed it was just before midnight. Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye and make a beeline to the Underground in order to catch the night’s last rides. Ruby gathered her dedicated female friends and took them home for the first TravBuddy slumber party.

1st gift to fiancé-Underground map

Just before departing from my future bride, I gave Primrose a cherished token of my undying affection – an Underground map.  

Much more could be said about the evening’s events, but gentlemen don’t kiss and tell… they shoot pictures instead.

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As I’ve mentioned before, I want to encourage fellow TravBuddies to attend one of the many Meetups that are springing up all over the world! It’s wonderful to experience the moments that create lasting memories and to see the friendships that are forged from these get-togethers. Chat with ANYONE who has attended a TravBuddy party. Don’t be one of the folks that see the myriad of pictures and crazy comments describing these events and say, “Why didn’t I go to the TravBuddy shindig?”