Last week was really a contrast of the best and worst of times. I started the week saying “goodbye” to my father and two days later still in a bit of funeral shock was boarding a plane for Toronto for my first TBEX (Travel Blogger Exchange) Conference.
Having dealt with losing friends too young, I learned long ago to cherish every day, every experience and do what i want now so there are no regrets, no lingering items on a “bucket list” (i am not a fan of these lists, if you can afford to go, go now, don’t wait). From the time my dad had a pain to his passing was six weeks, prior to that he was healthy with only a paper cut in his 72 years. Â Everything happened so fast, that I’m sure I’m still in a state of shock and disbelief but getting through each day as I can (it feels like a movie in slow motion) knowing that he had a good life of 50 years of marriage and did what he wanted to do. Â Everyone he met remembered his smile, his way of making them feel welcome and his love for his girls (mom, me, my sister and nieces). Â He left pieces of himself behind in all those he met, definitely leading an adventurous life without ever leaving the U.S.
Which brings me to TBEX, Toronto. Â I started this blog earlier this year (January 2013) and signed up to attend the conference to learn more about travel blogging. Â Until a week ago, I wasn’t going to the conference, I was going to cancel to be with my dad. Â After the funeral, my family said it was ok to go to Toronto, they realize that travel is the only way to hit “reset” in my life – I get to process and look at the big picture in my own way (luxury boutique hotel helps as does access to many desserts). I wasn’t running away per se but running toward something new (and not sad). Â With my schedule in place, I was going to be very busy touring the city, attending sessions and networking. Â I’ve always thrived in fast paced environments and TBEX would be no different with over 1,200 attendees.
Having visited Toronto multiple times for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), I had never explored the city given my “crazy” movie schedule (twenty films in five days) so I was excited to see what I’ve been missing all of these years.  Arriving at the Le Germain Maple Leaf hotel, I was ready to just hide out in the room to decompress from the past week (who could blame me?) thinking I made a mistake coming here so soon but then I talked myself into meeting a group for dinner at the Banh Mi Boys sandwich shop.  Good decision (thank you free hotel wi-fi and twitter!). The conversation was easy in this small (16 seats) busy sandwich shop for the group of five  – we chatted all things travel and my sadness took a break and I felt normal.  I met Jim of Uncovering PA , married couple Lauren & Kenin of The Constant Rambler  and Aaron of Aaron’s Worldwide Adventures and they had no idea how this simple meeting was so uplifting for me – talking travel with new friends.
From there the group walked to the Toronto Travel Massive party (this was a hot ticket with only 150 attendees). I would talk to the woman in front of me (Sharon of Dream Travel Magazine) while waiting in line (also a newbie) which then led us to meet many others at the event (we found other first timers). Â The group that I met this night would be the happy faces I saw during the weekend so if nothing else, I met six wonderful people that night.
Friday was a busy day with two tours, a twitter meet-up and the opening party. The busy pace continued on Saturday/Sunday with conference sessions, networking and parties. Prior to my flight on Monday, I scheduled a morning walking tour. Â Keeping busy learning and exploring was exactly what i needed, further solidifying that travel is what I need in my life, it is a part of me -a part of me that I am sharing through my stories and travel experiences here on the blog.
My TBEX Toronto experience was the beginning of a new chapter in my life and I look forward to seeing how this part of my story would unfold.
3 thoughts on “Finding my tribe at TBEX Toronto and starting a new chapter after tragedy”
Can’t wait to hear about TBEX! Glad you had a great time.
SO glad to have met you, Suzanne. Make sure to reach out to me when you come back for TIFF!
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