Wednesday 7 May 2014

A to Z challenge 2014 - my reflections

So, I did it. I jumped on that Atozchallenge express train, just as it was leaving the station. I had not really planned to take part, but I did. And now, I feel so happy. My first big blog challenge, and I did it.

Since I decided almost the last minute to take part, I did not have much time to grasp or prepare for what I was up to. Still, I had some ideas on the first letters - and a few more letters had already popped in to my head. I found the first week easiest, but from week two: DID I feel the heat? - Oh YES, safe to say that I did! Just to manage to get my own posts published was the first challenge, and then to visit the other blogs, commenting, sharing... At some point I did wish the day had more than 24 hours.

Fortunately I have some amazing friends who were willing to write a guest-post. I enjoyed having other voices on my blog, and tagging along to my friends' dream destination was just awesome! A big thanks to my friends who took us along to their special places. If you haven't read them: please have a look:


Back home we have a saying: "Ingen nevnt. Ingen glemt" meaning: "Do not mention anyone, because then you will forget someone." Kind of a one-for-all-all-for-one - philosophy. So, that is why I will not mention single names, but simply scream out a BIG, WARM and heartfelt THANK YOU to every single one who visited my blog during the challenge, left the sweetest and most encouraging words and just kept that travel-sparkle in me alive and kicking!  

Through the challenge I discovered some new blogs, and they gave me that a little bit extra - feeling every day with their themes, way of writing and interacting. You are great:  
  • Aditi - for giving me that daily emotional short story
  • Jayanta - for giving me wisdom on my adopted country India - and especially during election time. 
  • Sunila - for giving me more knowledge on yoga - food for body and soul! 
  • Beloo - for giving me deep insight in education in India - a theme close to my hearth
  • Meena - for making me want to travel even more
  • Vishal - for that amusing trip down memory lane 
And, there you go - I have fallen in to my own trap: I was not going to mention anyone, and when I do, I feel I just want to go on and on, because there were so many talented writers and bloggers who gave me so much - throughout this challenge. I discovered fellow soul mates, I raged, I cried, I giggled, I laughed, I was moved, thrilled, blown away, surprised, happy...You are awesome! So, friends- be proud! We completed the task - the challenge! Here's to us, and atoz2015: bring it on!

Did you have any favorites among my dream destinations? Did you enjoy the ride? Here they are:  

43 comments:

  1. Some of my favorites are Incas, Acropolis, Egypt and Udaipur.Your taking us on this world tour was quite extraordinary. I also jumped into it like you, without any plan and thinking. We succeeded together as a team. Thanks for being there.

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    1. Thank you Jayanta! I feel the same way! We did it:-) YAY!! So happy for your kind words:-)

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  2. Eli!! Love and enjoyed the trip u took us, free of charge, to different destinations and locations across the globe. It's totally awesome and that's the best thing..no plan, nothing and so much fun:) Thanks for the mention and u made my day:)

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    1. Thank you so much Vishal! So happy for your kind words:-)

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  3. For one who came so late to the party, you really aced the challenge, Elle! :)

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    1. Thanks a million dear Corinne! Your support was so valuable:-)

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  4. You did an amazing job of the challenge-- and though I didn't get to read all of them, I loved the ones I read. Congratulations on an AZ well done!

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  5. Proud of you, girl. I know how it can be, one month of coming up with new posts daily. I haven't read all of your posts yet, but when I am ready to, I know where to find them!

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    1. Aaah, dear Jeena, your encouraging words means a lot! So happy u come along:-)

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  6. I started reading your blog pretty late during the challenge. But I am glued now. Hoping to read more about your journey :)

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    1. Thanks Nisha - thats great! Happy you are here:-)

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  7. amazing job... its like around the world in 80 days err... 30 days..

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    1. He he - thanks dear Smitha! Always so happy to see you here:-)Hugs

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  8. Eli Hugs I'm so glad you did A-Z! As I said earlier all your posts were so fun and refreshing! Lv ya...thanks for the mention! :)

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    1. Thanks dear Aditi! So happy for your kind words! Big hugs

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  9. Congrats Eli for completing the A to Z challenge successfully. Though I could not go through all your trips, the ones which I undertook were amazing I will read the rest shortly. Nice to have met you here Keep in touch.

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    1. Thank you so much Usha! So happy you enjoyed it:-) All the best

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  10. Congratulations on completing the challenge! I loved all the destinations you took us to. It was fabulous! ♥

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    1. So happy you liked it Kathy dear - thanks a lot:-)

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  11. Congratulations Eli for completing the challenge! And thank you for the whirlwind world tour that you took us on! I enjoyed reading your posts and also those of your wonderful guests. Looking forward to more of your interesting posts in the coming days/weeks/months... :)

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    1. Thank you so much Beloo - so happy for your kind words dear:-) Big hugs to you

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  12. Way to go Eli! I enjoyed your posts! :)

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    1. Thank you so much - so happy you enjoyed:-)

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  13. Eli, I'm sad to say that I hadn't run across your blog during that challenge but look forward to following going forward!

    WAY TO GO, completing the challenge, it was a nail biter at times for me and caused me to miss two letters at the end. I sure learned a lot and met some amazing people so I'll call that a win!

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    1. Thanks Daidri - happy to see you here:-) Yes, a agree - a good win:-)

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  14. Congratulations on the completion of this lovely challenge...Your travel tales ticked my fancy and I added some to my wishlist too...Good Luck!!!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words:-)So happy you enjoyed:-)

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  15. Good you joined.. u did great.. loved reading your posts!

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    1. Thanks a lot! That makes me very happy:-)

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  16. Good for you for just diving in and doing it. You survived and that's a big blogging victory.

    I'm now one of your blog followers.

    Lee
    Wrote By Rote
    An A to Z Co-host blog

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words Arlee:-) So happy you are following:-)

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  17. Well done! You did a fab job, Eli! What a wonder-filled ride this has been, to blog on 26 destinations continuously is not at all an easy task, it's indeed very challenging! But yay, you came out with flying colors! :) And a bigger thank you to you for having me on, I was thrilled to be a part of your challenge, you gave me a topic to write which is so close to my heart, I loved writing it so much!

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    1. Oh, Arti - thanks a million for your kind words and support dear friend! You aced that Y!! So happy to have you here:-) Hugs

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  18. Mwahahahah, Eli! Your posts were fab! You might consider wrapping up your posts into a book! Hugs. Lovely reflections post!

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    1. Oh wow- thank you so much dear Vidya:-) Hugs

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  19. Great job Eli - congrats on completing the challenge! I love that you were able to lean on others for guest posts, it definitely helped keep things fresh during the month :)

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  20. Acropolis and Pondicherry were my favorites! Congratulations on successfully completing the challenge, even though it was a last minute entry!

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  21. Congrats Eli on completing the challenge. Enjoyed some of your journeys.

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