✳️ LONDON STEEMIT MEETUP ✳️

Yesterday evening I attended my first Steemit meetup. It was in the heart of London’s hip district.

I got off at Old Street, from where it was just a short, brisk walk. I was early, so I thought I’d catch something to eat and some coffee. My choices were Eat and Proper coffee. Gotta love London.

I arrived at the venue an hour early so I went in to take a look before anyone arrived - it looked as cool as it did in the photos. Said venue is the Queen of Hoxton.

Fast forward an hour, and some people had arrived already. After a quick bag check by security, I was in. I walked in at the same time as @rimicane with whom I immediately engaged in conversation. “Are you here for the Steemit thing?” I asked her. She nodded in the affirmative. We were pleasantly welcomed by @redrica @teodora and @immarojas. I had no idea who they were at the time - it was the first time I had ever met any of these people - but the welcome was as though we had been friends already.

Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect from my first meetup, but right from get go, it was that same positive energy I experienced on the platform it self - but in real life.

We were all offered drinks by @redrica who bought everyone their first round, apparently from her Steem proceeds! How generous is that?

For the first half-hour or so, I sat with @gillianpearce, @bristena94, @rimicane and @galacticwoman.

As the evening went on, more people arrived and we all mingled and connected with each other. Some of the people there already knew each other, either in real life from previous meetings, or online because they belonged to the same Discord group, or follow each other on Steemit.

I suddenly recognised my first person - @allasyummyfood. We said a few words about her recent decision to go full-time Steemian! She was there was @ivargereiko - a very nice gentleman, and her sister @ingaaa.

I was really excited to meet @dragosroua, who arrived shortly after. He is the developer of www.steemsuply.com which is one of my favourite frontends on the Steem blockchain. Also, fellow members of the #dtubedaily community had asked me to say hi to him.

I also had a great conversation with @simonjay about marketing and projects on Steemit and other platforms.

The turnout was great - with more people than I expected. There were even people there that hadn’t joined Steemit yet, and there was opportunity for them to learn about the platform.

As the music in the venue turned louder, and the food and drinks were flowing, some of the group went up to the rooftop for a while. Soon enough, about half of the group, including yours truly, had to make their way home. Some stayed behind to dance the night away.