A Trip to San Francisco and BlogHer Food

It's been five days since coming back from the trip, yet it feels like a daze. I have traveled forth and am back to my world. Yet it feels like a dream. I made my first ever trip alone, managed quite well and back in one piece. Despite all the apprehension my family can have on sending me on my own, I had a great adventure, including a missed flight and a great mingling with wonderful folks. I was visiting my cousin sister at SFO, to attend BlogHer Food Conference.

My flight had a plane change over at Brussels, which I wasn't aware of until the last moment. We had a wait of two hours and I met a sweet lady who was recouping from a personal loss, yet she was kind enough to let me tug along with her.

Way to NY, my neighbour was a German gentleman from Spain. We had such a lively discussion about food and culture. He was most delighted to know that I was a food blogger and confessed his love for Indian Food. The plane offered Indian food for Lunch, which he felt was spicy and to my spiced tongue was barely mild. On the whole it was an enlighten discussion on culture.

When I landed in NY, I had to get my immigration and customs cleared. By then I was happily led into a different terminal. I called up home and confirmed to all that I reached well. Only to realize something was wrong and it struck me that I will most surely miss my plane to SFO. I don't remember ever running so fast, even running period. All the while I was grinning actually knowing it was such a comedy of errors. JFK airport is so huge, one can so easily get lost.

Luckily I was booked on the next available one. My sister was all worried, I assured her I was doing just fine, infact enjoying a large chocolate bar with roasted almonds. That was a moment of self indulgence you agree right!

By the time I settled down at my sister's home, trying to account my adventure to my family it was pretty late. The simple dal with aloo podi was heavenly as it can be!

Next day my bil took us to the shopping mall. If one can actually drop down shopping it could've been us. My sis took me to the Pretzels, which were out of the world! Then to Macy's which had the best of the cookware one can see. I selected couple of muffin trays along with loads of other accessories for baking.

Next day was the BlogHer Conference, where I met many wonderful Food Bloggers.

While I was still trying to collect myself seeing the huge gathering, I was greeted by the talented duo Anuja and Hetal of the ShowMeTheCurry.com. Both of them were so kind and interesting. Imagine doing the entire Video yourself and doing the entire show by themselves. I had so much to learn from them. I have lots to thank them, including the fact that they ensure I got vegetarian food to eat. The buffet was huge but finding something for a vegetarian was tough.

These were what I lived on.

A speech by Lisa Stone & Elisa Camahort Page

A session by Todd and Diane of the White on rice couple

The day went off quite well, with lots of demo samplings, mingling and carrying back the huge "swag".

My sis and Bil joined us for the party and on the way back home they took me through the beautiful SFO. Couple of days are not just enough to take in everything.

I was really excited for the panel to happen. I finally met Elaine Wu of Virgo Blue and BlogHer.com, who moderated our panel which had Donna Pierce from BlackAmericaCooks.com, Laura Beck from Vegansaurus.com. It was about Food Diplomats and Cuisine Ambassadors that lasted an hour and a quarter. It was a lively discussion and I had so much to share and learn. It was indeed a great experience.

Yes I finally met Jadan, she was as wonderful as she always sounded.

The books displayed at the BlogHer, all authored by the bloggers.

Live Demo by the Chefs

Afternoon was a ride to the Farmer's Market and the Ferry Building. It was a lesson in history with questions on the Ferry building. The day ended with a closing party which was held at the Culinary Institute.

Closing party in the evening.

On the way back, my BIL decided to go for a second show of Enthiran. I have never been to a second show and on top sleeping only for about 4 hrs the past 4 days, I finally conked off right there. I don't remember watching the movie and will not claim having watched it either if anyone asks!

We went on a ferry tour the next day.

On the way back after two days, I tried taking pictures from the window.

Next 3 days were quick before I actually realized!

I know this post is pretty late but it's better late then never as they say right!

Comments

notyet100 says

October 20, 2010 at 5:07 am

looks like u had a nice time,..thnks for sharing such nice pics,.

Aparna says

October 20, 2010 at 5:10 am

I know you were planning to go, but didn't realise you've been and are back! 🙂
Can see you had a fantastic time there.

Sanjeeta kk says

October 20, 2010 at 5:34 am

Memorable experience to cherish for long for any blogger. Congrats and best wishes.

Paaka Shaale says

October 20, 2010 at 5:52 am

My my Srivalli!!! The blog her conference is seems so enlightening and so much fun. Wish i was there too 🙂

Santosh Bangar says

October 20, 2010 at 6:09 am

what a wonder ful trip meet so many talented bloggers dishes in the pic are favulous and moreover u enjoyed very much i noted some sites of bloggers try them on online
i am also waiting ur visit on my blog

Jamie says

October 20, 2010 at 7:36 am

It all sounds wonderful and I so wished I could have gone. Maybe next year. Lovely.

Rachel says

October 20, 2010 at 9:52 am

Wow Didn't know you had gone... ANd yes what is a swag please? and pics of baking stuff you picked up please.

Swaram says

October 20, 2010 at 10:11 am

Wowww! What a lovely trip! U get to meet ur sister and attend such a wonderful event too. Awesome 🙂
Loved the pics from ur window 🙂

sra says

October 20, 2010 at 4:46 am

What's a swag? Complimentary samples?

Shobana says

October 20, 2010 at 12:00 pm

Hey Srivalli...don know if u remember me...I know u thru chennaimoms....Im so proud tht I know somebdy like u...have been tryg ( !! ) to have a quick glance of ur posts...Wonderful job !! Goodluck !!

Sanctified Spaces says

October 20, 2010 at 6:35 am

Oh wow Srivalli,you must have had a whale of a time.You must have learnt so much from this experience.Pls do share it down the line with us.Will call u shortly...

myspicykitchen says

October 20, 2010 at 12:36 pm

Looks like you had a great time!

Sree vidya says

October 20, 2010 at 7:22 am

Hey I didn't know abt this 🙁
I live in SFO. We could have met 🙁

kanthi says

October 20, 2010 at 12:53 pm

You had a wonderful time,thanks for sharing lovely pics with all,best wishes.

Happy Cook says

October 20, 2010 at 7:30 am

Wowo look like you have a veryevent full flight and trip. I am so jealous that you were there for the meeting, sounds so so intresting.
You had a stop over in Brussels did you buy the chocolates from the airport.
And looks loike you meat lot of famous bloggers.

Sailaja Damodaran says

October 20, 2010 at 1:03 pm

Nice experience...

Kalyn says

October 20, 2010 at 4:35 pm

I was so sad to miss it; would have loved to meet you.

harini-jaya says

October 20, 2010 at 12:27 pm

awesome ..congrats on ur successful 'adventure'!!

Smitha says

October 20, 2010 at 6:02 pm

Wow!!...looks like had loads of fun....plus missing out on ur sleep, but going to such an wonderful conference, makes the difference!...SFo is a beautiful city too!! hope u enjoyed as much I enjoyed reading this post!!
come to my place next time OK!!:))

Srivalli says

October 20, 2010 at 5:19 pm

Thank you everybody!

yes I was referring to the tote bag that all of us were given..

Kalyn, I was missing the chance too..

Pari says

October 21, 2010 at 5:50 am

My my, what an experience dear,so much to learn and so many bloggers to meet, wish all of us could do that one day.

Divya Kudua says

October 21, 2010 at 5:52 am

Great write up..looks like you had a great time!!

Kamini says

October 22, 2010 at 12:45 am

Sounds like you certainly had a wonderful time! Lucky you, meeting Hetal and Anuja - I enjoy watching their videos, and they seem like really nice ladies.

PJ says

October 22, 2010 at 7:20 am

Loved reading your post Srivalli.Looks like u had a great time!!Nice photo tour u took us on 🙂

Ann says

October 22, 2010 at 4:41 pm

Whoa!1 You went for blogHer??? lucky lucky you!!!

Srivalli says

October 25, 2010 at 5:08 pm

Thank you friends!

VirgoBlue says

November 16, 2010 at 5:39 pm

It was a delight to finally meet you! So glad you made it and hope to see you again soon.

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