21 Pages of Chicken Scratch at TBEX Europe

“Neil you take copious notes,” John from my NYC Teaching Fellows cohort told me.  He was shocked by the amount of scribble I was able to muster on the topic of lowering the affective filter, increasing wait time, or some other topic related to teaching English as a Second Language.  Ever since I could hold a pencil upright I’ve had the ability to jot a tremendous amount of notes.  Unfortunately, I’m the only one who can actually read my handwriting.  The team that cracked the code of the Rosetta Stone would likely give up on deciphering my script.

I recorded 21 pages of notes in my notebook during 2 days of sessions at TBEX Europe. Can anyone translate gibberish?  And yes, I do write page #’s in my notebooks.  This was 69.

Last month in Girona, Spain I wound up penning 21 pages of notes between Peter Shankman’s Keynote and Chris Guillebeau’s jet-lagged closing remarks.  This week’s Photo Friday is based on those 21 pages of chicken scratch and other figures derived and tabulated at TBEX Europe.  World Winder is fresh off attending our first travel blogging and exchange event which was organized by TBEX and hosted by thousands of dedicated professionals on the Costa Brava in Catalonia.  We will revisit Costa Brava soon and be fixtures at TBEX events indefinitely.

20 defenseless bloggers were caught between the skirmish during 1 reenactment of Napoleon’s siege of Girona.

Photo Friday

Photo Friday is a feature inspired by my days as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in the Bronx, New York.  On Fridays I would visit my favorite class and flip through an album containing prints of 35 MM photos and deliver tales of our travels.  My goal was to educate these students about the world outside of NYC, entertain them with vibrant pictures, and empower them to seek truth and adventure in the face of societal discrimination.  I live a triple-E life just like TBEX Girona presenter Amy Porterfield.

I introduced Photo Friday on World Winder nearly a year ago and while it is not always published on that day of the week, the segment pairs digital prints with a coherent theme.  Sometimes it features sea creatures in the Galapagos.   Other days Photo Friday highlights the adventures of my roller derby t-shirt or time spent with rock bands in Argentina.  Today’s Photo Friday is a tribute to all of the people who entered our lives during the 168 hours spanning TBEX Europe.

The opening night party at the Castell de Sant Gregori boasted 3 human towers formed by a multigenerational team of nimble experts.

TBEX Europe featured 15 breakout sessions. JD Andrews presented on how to create travel videos people will actually watch.  (And not just yo mama).

About 400 beached fish were rescued by good samaritans when a school swam too close to the shore at Tossa de Mar.

3 interviews delivered to World Winder by Married2Travel, TBEX CMO Dave Cynkin, and later TBEX CEO Rick Calvert. Lucky for us we practiced with our friend Fieke while standing on a polder in Groningen, Netherlands.

4 pre and post TBEX trips and 6 blog trips were generously offered by the Costa Brava. We had the chance to attend 3 of these trips in total.

Melissa competed in 1 speed blogging competition during 1 speed dating session on the second day of TBEX Europe 2012.

800 hotel rooms were made available after TBEX for attendees. Over our 14 months away from home our stays on the Costa Brava were by far the most luxurious.

1 final bottle of cava opened by TBEX Director of Business Management James Craven on the last bus after the opening night party at the castle.

Do any other attendees from TBEX Europe 2012 have any numbers to add?

Leave a comment with your own calculations and tabulations.