The REAL DEAL - Los Angeles Travbuddy Meet-up

Still trying to download over 500 photos from a weekend of FUN!!!!

Yeah...how did that happen? 2-3 Day affairs for these meet-ups?

Well last night was FANTASTIC - BUT today will be even better! 34 Travbuddy's RSVP'd and stated they were going to come over to Marina del Rey to have dinner and drinks with the LA Core Crew. Some TBer's are coming up from San Diego and some stayed at my place that came all the way down from Sacramento, San Jose and San Francisco.

Today we are getting an early start because "travelngirl" aka Wendy decided to hand out earlier in Venice because not only was it the meet-up, but it was a beautiful HOT weekend. By the beach it was in the high 80's, but inland over where I live - it's BRUTAL! 103!!! So, yeah let's meet up with Wendy. How many times did I change? Couldn't figure out what to wear...we are headed to the beach, but then after we may go clubbing....how do you prepare for that? Hours later - clothing options made we headed out to meet Wendy at Venice beach.

So away we go...TRAFFIC was crazy....we decided to hit the side streets instead. Finally an hour later we got to the beach and there was still way too much traffic! We were able to score a very tight parking space - and I was able to back up "Bruiser" in to the tight spot.

We rush over to the Sidewalk Cafe and meet up with Wendy - lookout for cowboy hat, red tank top and braids! Cool! Found her at the front of the line and we hugged and kissed like there was no tomorrow! Personalities instantly clicked! Wow another cool new friend!

It was 3:30pm and we finally were going to eat! It's our first meal of the day...we hurried and ordered our food and some of Jillians friends that are So Caler's also came by to say hi to her. We finish our meal in enough time to walk over slowly to C&O Trattoria.

We get there and of course we see "travelman727" Mark and then all of a sudden everyone started showing up - Whoo-hoo!!
Holy Frijolies!!! 27 fellow Travbuddies show up for dinner - they had to break us up to three different tables, but that's ok...everyone appeared to be having a GREAT time! Since "Jillianj" Jillian, "Mellemel8" Melanie and I ate already - we decided to hit Baja Cantina - actually Melanie and Jillian went to go and save up some tables...."Jenn79" was going to accompany me over to Baja Cantina as well...so we could grab tables as well - BUT Melanie and Jillian came back and stated it was too crowded and they couldn't guarantee a table for any of us - so we 4 split up and started to find another place...Jenn and I checked out Cabo Cantina - too loud! Melanie and Jillian didn't find anything. Some of the TBer's decided that Cabo Cantina was way too small and loud. Where was I going to fit 34 people? They were thinking of going to the beach and just hang out on the boardwalk so we could talk! I couldn't have that happen...it will get cold in the evening and there would be no drinks...or food or ?

Thank goodness my brain is quick - I remember I saw a hotel down the block from Baja Cantina...A hotel has a lobby, it has a bar - let's all sit in the lobby and get to know each other! We break up into 3-4 groups and head over there. It's the Marriott in Marina del Rey. I move ahead of the group and walk quickly over there to make sure there is room for all of us...right now there is 27 of us. Wild thoughts were going through my mind - what if there is no room, what if there is no bar, what if...oh well...let's just wing it and see what happens!

What the hell????

This place is gorgeous! Very lounge like atmosphere with an outdoor patio bar/club with fire pits and large cushy comfy couches and arm chairs bar. At our arrival there was a private party going on at GLOW (outdoor patio bar/club), but was supposed to end by 8pm...Can't wait!

We all sat on two very modern wood tables and benches..each bench could seat 4-5 people - so we were able to fit everyone and grabbed a couple of ottomans that were around the lobby and we sat down, ordered some drinks and talked and laughed the night away! Once the private party ended at GLOW we all headed out that way! Whoo-hoo!!! Holy Frijolies! What a blast. ..from meeting everyone to the crazy Russian guys at the "Cabana" next to us...What a night to remember!

Thank you to all the TBer's that showed up and to the new recruited ones! Here are the FELLOW TBer's that attended this wonderful event! Joy (me) -   http://www.travbuddy.com/pvtjoy

Melanie - http://www.travbuddy.com/mellemel8

Tracy - http://www.travbuddy.com/tre69

Jenn - http://www.travbuddy.com/jenn79

Nhi - http://www.travbuddy.com/hirondellenhi

Alice - http://www.travbuddy.com/alicegourmet

Victor - http://www.

travbuddy.com/Synthetrix

Sheila - http://www.travbuddy.com/sheila35

Angel - http://www.travbuddy.com/angelbaby

Sybil - http://www.travbuddy.com/iheart2travel

Sal - http://www/travbuddy.com/sincitytraveler

Mark - http://www.travbuddy.com/travelman727

Jillian - http://www.travbuddy.com/jillianj

Julz - http://www.

travbuddy.com/mzjulz

Erin - http://www.travbuddy.com/poohstanggt

Will - http://www.travbuddy.com/w_clemmons  (Most Further TB Award)    

Oscar - http://www.travbuddy.com/coolfrnd992  

Eric - http://www.travbuddy.com/eric  (Co-Founder of Travbuddy)

Lisa - http://www.travbuddy.com/lisa 

Ryan - http://www.travbuddy.com/foolz0r

Giovanni - http://www.travbuddy.com/giovanniruiz

Melissa - http://www.travbuddy.com/melissa919

Priscilla - http://www.

travbuddy.com/prissyT

Wendy - http://www.travbuddy.com/travelngirl

Lynette - http://www.travbuddy.com/Nyl

Stephen - http://www.travbuddy.com/steveddr

Jenn - http://www.travbuddy.com/jenaarmstrong

Chereese: http://www.travbuddy.com/reesiemac

Adrian: http://www.travbuddy.com/acowboy

Kathryn:  http://www.travbuddy.com/katastophe1592

Charles: - http://www.

travbuddy.com/chucklesb

AZ - http://http://www.travbuddy.com/freebird90049

Belinda - http://www.travbuddy.com/belinda2000

Chereese: http://www.travbuddy.com/reese30

 
Hope you enjoyed the night and take a look at all the photos we have from the night!
You guys made it a very successful LA Travbuddy meet-up!