I felt like a child who got his favorite candy, picking up my delegate registration for foss.in this morning! I was the first one in the queue and very excited!
Landed early morning in Bangalore. There was a slight drizzle and the temperature was lower than the usual Mumbai mornings. After passing the auto rickshaw fellows near the airport, negotiated with one fellow down the road and got into the rickshaw. Once I was on, he started asking for more money – above the fare in the meter. Now if you know me, I can’t stand this. If someone gave a word, I expect him to deliver on that. Or at least communicate they can’t – in time. Time to change the vendor, uhh? Took another rickshaw and got on.
Oh.. the chilly morning breeze of Bangalore… I loved it. I saw all those familiar roads, landmarks and turns. Memories of last few years of coming to foss.in came back! All the great people, great talks, great parties and the pure excitement of being part of something big.
Shivering inside the rickshaw, I started thinking why do I come to foss.in? Year after year?
Do I come because I am a speaker? Do I come to meet these wonderful organizers who I’ll meet probably only at this place? Do I come to take a break from work and have fun? Do I come to make new friends?
I come here for all of that. But what really drives me to keep everything aside and come here is the vision of the event and the organizers. This is something that is shaping FOSS contribution from India. This is something that educates and converts wannabe hackers into FOSS contributors. And adding one bit to that grand vision and doing my part is what keeps me calling!
And did I tell you how thrilled I was to be the first delegate to register today? I’ve always walked in easily through the speaker registration desk, and not being a speaker this time, I was expecting to stand in long queue before I could get in. On the way to the hotel in the rickshaw, I changed my mind and landed up directly at the venue.
At 8 in the morning, I didn’t expect much of a gathering at the venue. While I was reading a few more pages from Power of Intention, I realized I could be the first person to register today! And I was excited like a child! Being the first, at an event I love. I started the queue at 8.20 and was the first one. And that was a great feeling!
I am set for the next three days I think!
What do you think?