Followall living together in a Victorian townhouse in Toronto
this past weekend many travel bloggers gathered up in the grand city of Toronto, Ontario, for the travel conference known as TBEX. this is was my third time to attend TBEX and while every time the conference gets better and better, this is not why this past weekend will go down in history as one of my favorites.
let’s just start with what do you do when 1,200 people come to town? where do they all sleep? thank goodness Toronto is the 4th largest city in North America! so it seemed there was room for everyone attending TBEX plus those who were merely in Toronto for business or pleasure. i had the good fortune of finding a fantastic townhouse with FlipKey for some of my blogging buddies (most i’ve met & traveled with plus one superstar i knew would fit right in) because sometimes staying together is more cost-effective. BUT let’s be honest, staying together is WAY more fun and you actually get far more quality time and in our case, time to learn from each other as well as play together.
some might be frightened by this scenario. what if the people don’t get along? what if one person is really messy or loud? what if some don’t chip in and help out? yes, there can be a lot of what if’s in this type of situation. first of all, i think it’s important to go into a plan like this knowing that those things could happen and being ok with it. i wasn’t terribly concerned because the other advice i’d give is to know who you are including. don’t leave too many possibilities for loose cannons. all i can tell you is this group was like a utopian state of heaven. as we started to discuss arrivals and departures to the house…things like who will let us in, what do we need to bring, it became crystal clear this was a group of “i’ll do this and you pick up where i left off”. everyone was helping one another and i found this incredibly endearing. it’s one of the things that makes me love these friends even more.
from Stay Adventurous meeting me at the house & doing the initial liquor run. (no one likes to arrive without a possible cocktail in hand) to Travel Destination Bucket List bringing her extra wine glasses to Traveling Ted driving people places & doing the replenishing booze run. then there’s The World Wanderer, Captain and Clark, GQTrippin and one of the two gorgeous Lazy Travelers who all took part in building our “confessional”. we all have a love/hate relationship with Captain for his bartending skills. then i have my lovely Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler who always looks out for me and is the best listener and friend a person could ever ask for. she’ll stay up with you and talk for hours. all the #RWTBEX peeps got a bit of her goodness. and Small Crazy, a kindred spirit to Lola with her love of PINK, props and toys. thank you for being the incredible you that you are! i know we all appreciate those who did the occasional pick up sweep of the place and especially Captain and Clark for doing the check out for us all. i’m telling you, it truly takes a village & this is one that i’d gladly be a part of again and again.
my friends were so appreciative that we had a place to stay together but, truly, i was the lucky one to have so many people i love all together. nothing pleases me more than doing something that makes so many happy. AND selfishly, i got to spend a lot of time with those people who make ME very happy. so thank you #RWTBEX crew for agreeing to stay in our lovely townhouse on Bleecker.
our FlipKey townhouse was nestled in the heart of historic Toronto in the Cabbagetown neighborhood. Cabbagetown comprises the largest continuous area of preserved Victorian housing in North America. this circa 1874 home was in a great location for all our downtown activities. i found the townhouse quite spacious with a perfect blend of original charm and modern touches a traveler would need.
Lauren,
I thought Traveling Ted’s job was “consuming” the booze, not “replenishing” the booze! Ha! Great post mi amiga!
Mike
I specialize in booze multi-tasking Mike.
Traveling Ted recently posted…Five reasons to travel to Normandy France
How cool! Like a TBEX Dormitory. 🙂 Looks like you guys had a lot of fun!
As much as I was out with a lot of you if I would have actually stayed in the house I wouldn’t have attended any of my speed dating meetings. It would have been like my days living in a fraternity house when I never attended class.
Lance recently posted…Remembering D-Day in Normandy
Awww I love it! How much fun you all had!!!
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures recently posted…Turks And Caicos: Day 2
Love Love Love Love Love you!! Had the absolute best first TBEX experience and it was ALL because of the #RWTBEX house. I love you all like family. Cannot wait for a reunion and some more of Captain’s cocktails! xxxx
Erin – The World Wanderer recently posted…TBEX Reflections and Confessions.
Lola – it is a weekend I will never forget! You are the best for organizing such a great weekend (TBEX memories will forever be measured against our village!!!) So fantastic to finally meet so many of the people I have been chatting with on line – you guys all made the weekend! Hugs and kisses to all!
Anita Mac recently posted…A weekend in Rochester, NY
Best housemates ever – LOVE that house!
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted…Recovering from our first TBEX
I agree with Mike: I expected Ted to be the drain on the booze!! Glad to hear how fun it was – next time I hope to make it!
Raul (@ilivetotravel) recently posted…The Real Heroes of Kilimanjaro
Although I did do my part in helping drain the booze, I am also one to make sure the life source remains stocked in the fridge. I drank most of G&Q’s liquor one night and their beer in the morning, but I made sure it was restocked. There is no room for mouchers in the RWTBEX house.
Thanks Lola for arranging this. You can sleep in my bed anytime 🙂 One of the most fun weekends ever with incredible people. Cannot wait to see you all again.
Traveling Ted recently posted…Five reasons to travel to Normandy France
Sounds like you had a fun time partying it up in the house.
Mike recently posted…TBEX Toronto Recap
I know you guys had a bit of fun! Can’t wait to hear all the stories!
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted…My hOtel: Castillo Hotel Son Vida, Mallorca, Spain @starwoodbuzz @castillohotel
So sad I missed out on the RWTBEX house! I didn’t even get the chance to visit 🙁 I love old homes and neighborhoods, too; sounds like Cabbagetown would be right up my alley.
Francesca (@WorkMomTravels) recently posted…Thoughts from a #TBEX first-timer
I would not be frightened, I would be so excited! What a fun trip for you guys ;D
Looks like you had a blast! 🙂 Love the Confessional design too;)
Fiona recently posted…Secret Beaches of the Algarve
You are a wonderful fairy godmother! The confessional booth is by far one of your most creative thoughts. Keep being yourself, because you’re fantastic.
Leah Travels recently posted…Cruising Circle City: Exploring Indy’s Cultural Trail
Toronto is the 4th largest city in North America? Who knew a Lola post could be educational?:)
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted…Sailing to St. John on the Champagne Cat
That house was so much fun! I’m so glad I got the chance to come visit before my Toronto adventure was over!
Calan Breckon recently posted…TBEX: Caught in a #Romance – PART 2
Heard so many stories coming out of this notorious blog house when I was in TBEX. Glad to learn more about the behind the scene activities 🙂
jill recently posted…Portrait Photography: Overcoming the Fear of Asking