Re-union in London!

Best moments do come back again as time ticks.This is what exactly happened when a few of IBM CSC Kenya 8 team members met in London last week. Personally, I knew I would meet my team sometime in the future, but wasn't sure when that would happen. When the opportunity came, not me but my colleagues made it happen! How brilliant can this get!

Ulla-Britt, Heli, Alex and myself had a fun weekend in London, meeting each other after almost 3 years. While staying in Europe, Ulla-Britt, Alex & Heli have met quite often, they flew in to London for the weekend just for me! I felt so privileged and special. Though we have not seen each other for a long while now, as Alex mentioned, we really didn't need the settling-in time. I think this is what life-changing experiences do to people. 

Friday evening went in chatting for long hours and a stroll to Victoria for dinner at O Sole Mia! The following day, we set out at 10 to walk through Kensington before we headed to Chalk Farm to join a group for a London walking tour by an ex-homeless person. It was a brilliant 3 hour tour taking us through Primrose and Camden. Post that we headed back to our apartment and called it a day after dinner at an Indian restaurant.

Sunday, we visited Tate Modern, spent about 3 hours there and then halted for lunch. Alex headed to the airport for a flight back home. The three of us, then walked to Trafalgar square before we waved off to Ulla-Britt who was leaving for Stockholm. Heli and myself then stopped by at the Banquetting house, had a high tea at this very pretty looking place before we left for Victoria only to see off each other. Soon, I was on a train back to Lancaster and the much awaited weekend was already a time of the past.

Thinking about it, I feel so good and brings back very very fond memories from Kenya. We did miss a lot of other team members, but atleast we made a start for the tradition to continue. #ibmcsc #csckenya8

BNHS	Primrose Hill	At Tate Modern
City walk	Thank you for coming!	Missing Luke!
At Camden Bridge	Camden	Lunch at Chalk Farm

Breakfast at Victoria

Paradise restaurant

At Hyde Park

The bond only strengthens!

It has been 2 years now since we met for the first time and about an year since we all heard each other. Yet, today as soon as I hopped on the call and heard those voices, I had goosebumps. Wow, a virtual re-union with my global family and the feeling was inexplicable. Listening to the stories of everyone and reading messages from those who couldn't make it to the call was just amazing. We have all moved on in our own ways, things have progressed, new happenings, 2 years older :), yet the excitement and thrill hasn't changed a bit.
I was looking up early posts from this blog and found a few from April 2014, and went on a thorough reading spree, smiling at times, zooming in the pictures and most importantly reminiscing the wonderful moments. I am truly glad I had this opportunity to indeed connect with wonderful people from across the world. And will look forward to meeting them at an Indian wedding, that is not expected to happen any sooner though! :) #ibmcsc #csckenya8

Initial media coverage

Media coverage of our work in Kenya!

Biztech Africa: IBM prepares Kenyan application developers for cloud revolution 
Telecompaper: IBM Trains Kenyan App Developers 
HumanIPO: IBM Prepares Kenya developers for Cloud
CIO Magazine: 50 Kenyan developers complete 2-week IBM Cloud Training
AllAfrica.com: Kenyan developers complete IBM Cloud Training
Adiszena.com: 50 Kenyan developers complete IBM Cloud Training
Strathmore University: IBM Corporate Service Corps Team visit @iLabAfrica
Bendera News: IBM Prepares Kenyan application developers for cloud revolution
Women Enterprise Fund: WEF-IBM Meeting at KICC

IBM Cor­por­ate Ser­vices Corps Team Visit @iLabAfrica, Strath­more University - See more at: http://www.ilabafrica.ac.ke/index.php/media-news/news/388-ibm-corporate-services-corps-team-visit-ilabafrica-strathmore#sthash.rWlaqMfg.dpuf

IBM Cor­por­ate Ser­vices Corps Team Visit @iLabAfrica, Strath­more University - See more at: http://www.ilabafrica.ac.ke/index.php/media-news/news/388-ibm-corporate-services-corps-team-visit-ilabafrica-strathmore#sthash.rWlaqMfg.dpuf

IBM Cor­por­ate Ser­vices Corps Team Visit @iLabAfrica, Strath­more University - See more at: http://www.ilabafrica.ac.ke/index.php/media-news/news/388-ibm-corporate-services-corps-team-visit-ilabafrica-strathmore#sthash.rWlaqMfg.dpuf

IBM Cor­por­ate Ser­vices Corps Team Visit @iLabAfrica, Strath­more University - See more at: http://www.ilabafrica.ac.ke/index.php/media-news/news/388-ibm-corporate-services-corps-team-visit-ilabafrica-strathmore#sthash.rWlaqMfg.dpuf

IBM Cor­por­ate Ser­vices Corps Team Visit @iLabAfrica, Strath­more University - See more at: http://www.ilabafrica.ac.ke/index.php/media-news/news/388-ibm-corporate-services-corps-team-visit-ilabafrica-strathmore#sthash.rWlaqMfg.dpuf

#ibmcsc kenya

2 months already!

Time flies! Cannot believe it has already been 2 months since we left for Kenya. Seems like it all just started. #ibmcsc #kenya

The next of solos will follow!

Smiles @ Bomas Kenya

Sorting out the pictures and feel so nostalgic about every moment that was spent a month ago! #ibmcsc #kenya #ibmcscalumni

Smiles @ Bomas Kenya!

Keeping it alive

Can't resist looking at the pictures and videos again and again. Some more to keep the experience high and fresh. Lets see how long this one continues. #ibmcsc Kenya

Selfie @ Bomas Kenya

Caps from Chile!

On Mother's Day @ Amboseli

Selfie with Jackie & Alex!

Selfie with Daniela & HS

Reactions on return

After a horrifying two hour experience mid-air, the flight finally landed at Hyderabad International Airport amidst showers and winds. But monsoon is not in yet, the day temperature rose up to 44C.

On reaching home, the first reactions - Tanned! Lost weight - indeed yes, delta = 6Kgs :)) 

Unpacked and this time fewer clothes for the laundry. Feeling nostalgic already while I'm browsing through the pictures :))