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:  

Posted by at
Labels: ,

43 comments:

  1. Jayanta7 May 2014 at 22:40

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown12 May 2014 at 18:00

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

      Delete
  2. Anonymous7 May 2014 at 23:12

    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:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown12 May 2014 at 18:01

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

      Delete
  3. Corinne Rodrigues8 May 2014 at 05:58

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown12 May 2014 at 18:01

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

      Delete
  4. Unknown8 May 2014 at 07:09

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jeena R. Papaadi8 May 2014 at 08:57

    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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown12 May 2014 at 18:08

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

      Delete
  6. Nisha8 May 2014 at 10:38

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown12 May 2014 at 18:09

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

      Delete
  7. Unknown8 May 2014 at 12:47

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown12 May 2014 at 18:10

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

      Delete
  8. Aditi8 May 2014 at 16:35

    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! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown12 May 2014 at 18:37

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

      Delete
  9. Unknown8 May 2014 at 17:41

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown12 May 2014 at 18:39

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

      Delete
  10. Unknown8 May 2014 at 20:03

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown12 May 2014 at 18:40

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

      Delete
  11. Beloo Mehra8 May 2014 at 21:28

    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... :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown12 May 2014 at 18:41

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

      Delete
  12. magiceye8 May 2014 at 23:08

    Good on you Eli!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous9 May 2014 at 00:57

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown12 May 2014 at 18:42

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

      Delete
  14. Unknown9 May 2014 at 05:14

    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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown12 May 2014 at 18:51

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

      Delete
  15. Anonymous9 May 2014 at 10:58

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown12 May 2014 at 19:06

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

      Delete
  16. Loudthinkin9 May 2014 at 13:43

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown12 May 2014 at 19:07

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

      Delete
  17. Arlee Bird9 May 2014 at 21:13

    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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown12 May 2014 at 19:17

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

      Delete
  18. Arti9 May 2014 at 21:31

    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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown12 May 2014 at 19:18

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

      Delete
  19. Vidya Sury9 May 2014 at 22:30

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown12 May 2014 at 19:21

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

      Delete
  20. Unknown10 May 2014 at 03:08

    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 :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. beingFab10 May 2014 at 10:01

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

    ReplyDelete
  22. Suzy10 May 2014 at 13:10

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

    ReplyDelete

Dear reader, I love comments! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave one:-)

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)