Around the world in four hours!

I moved to London because after two years travelling my back pack was worn out and I had run out of money. Well not strictly true. I also had an amazing job offer that I couldn't refuse, working as a photographer at the then Trident Communications based in East London.

The plan was to travel for a year,  'mata la curiosidad' - get it out of the system - and come back and settle down. But one year became two and when I finally returned to England, I realised the plan hadn't worked! I still craved learning new languages, experiencing new cultures and meeting interesting people from all over the world.

But I knew I had to stop (at least for a while!). I needed a base, some stability, and an income! So while I couldn't travel, living in London was the next best thing. With over 270 nationalities, 300 languages spoken and 37% of its population born outside the UK (2011 census), it truly is the worlds melting pot. So it seems apt that since its conception in 1980, The World Travel Market - one of the world's leading trade shows related to the travel industry -   has taken place in the UKs capital, London.

The show is attended by corporate experts in the travel industry, exhibitors from all over the world and has a number of topical debates, interactive seminars and presentations throughout the event. Over the years a number of celebrities have visited the show including film star Michael Douglas, entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, five-times Olympic gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave and singer and TV talent show judge Dannii Minogue.

However I didn't go there celebrity spotting, or even to attend any of their seminars. I just went armed with a couple of cameras and stack of business cards, hoping to make some good contacts. Well that was the plan!...........

I gave out some business cards, took some pictures, practised my Spanish, made a new friend from Andalusia and got to hold a Lanner Falcon  (see my profile picture in Linkedin) . So while It may not have been  the best days marketing it was a lot of fun!