It’s been fantastic being in the Philippines for this year’s WordCamp Asia. We have attendees from 71 countries, over 1,800 tickets sold, and contributor day had over 700 people! It’s an interesting contrast to US and EU WordCamps as well in that the audience is definitely a lot younger, and there’s very little interest in “wpdrama” du jour, in fact I’ve had tons of amazing conversations of support and talking about the strength and growth of the community.
Some of the earliest international WordCamps I went to were in Manila and Davao, back in 2008. (I’m going to share some pictures at the start of my talk.) Between that and spending lots of time in Daly City when I moved to San Francisco when I was 20 I have developed a fondness for the cuisine, creativity, family orientation, and warmth of the culture here.
After this I’ll be taking a bit of time off for a trip to the big Hindu religious pilgrimage in India, the Maha Kumbh Mela, which is currently on a 144 cycle. It’s the largest human gathering in the world, with some days measured with tens of millions of people visiting. I’ll be returning to my Photomatt roots as well and bringing my big camera rig, right now a Nikon Z 7II, and two lenses: 24-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8.
Hey Matt,
I want to meet you in person in India if you allow me. If you allow me, I will come to your chosen place at your chosen time. Unfortunately, I am not attending WordCamp Asia. Let me know your decision.
Many thanks!
Please visit Bangladesh! We would be absolutely thrilled and honored to welcome you to our beautiful country. From the vibrant streets of Dhaka to the serene beauty of the Sundarbans, Bangladesh is full of rich culture, warm hospitality, and breathtaking landscapes.
Your visit would mean so much to us, and we are beyond excited at the thought of having you here. We can’t wait to share our traditions, cuisine, and heritage with you. Looking forward to seeing you in Bangladesh soon!
Hello Matt,
Welcome to India … and have a great time at the Maha Kumbh Mela.
Regards
Hello Matt! My husband and I had fun at our very first WordCamp. Thank you for your hard work!
Welcome to the Kumbh Mela, Matt!
It’s amazing to see you at one of the world’s largest spiritual gatherings. Hope you enjoy the vibrant culture, deep traditions, and incredible energy of this once-in-a-lifetime experience!