TBEX has been and gone and what fun it was! I really enjoyed meeting so many fabulous travel bloggers in person, after "knowing" them so long online. It went by so quickly that some people I only met briefly but I still found it extremely worthwhile.

My access to the internet was limited while I was in New York so I was not able to do the daily photo and conference updates but I'm certainly going to make up for it now! I have a huge number of exciting posts planned, both the ones I promised and other ones as well. So please stay tuned over the next week.

I've done a video already - of the 'Sing for Hope' piano art installation. Please check out the post: http://www.roamingtales.com/2010/07/02/video-nyc-pianos/ and if you get a chance I'd love some comments or star ratings on my YouTube account: http://www.youtube.com/user/roamingtales.

Thank you very much for contributing to the cause - your support made it possible for me. I hope to make next year's event in Vancouver too. It's a little closer to home so it should be easier for me to afford to attend.

Hello lovely backers!

I am busy making plans for New York. It's starting to sink in that it's really not that long before I go!

I will be in touch soon about backer rewards. If you selected a social media package and would like to call on it now, please feel free to get in touch. Otherwise I will be emailing everyone as soon as I've updated the art on Redbubble.

I can see that the payments have gone through though I haven't yet managed to have Amazon release the money to me. I'm sure that will be sorted out very soon!

Thanks,
Caitlin

It's been incredible to watch the support flow in for this project. I'm particularly inspired by the resilience of online friendships as I only know a few of you face to face.

Thanks to all of you, I now have $540 in pledges. My goal was $500 so as long as no one retracts or significantly downgrades a pledge, I should be across the finish line comfortably. There's still four days to go though and I'm not going to celebrate - or book tickets - prematurely!

You all have been so generous and I'd like to try to give back a little as well. I'm thinking about spending a day volunteering. That could be in New York City, if I raise enough for an extra night's accommodation, or back home in San Francisco. Any ideas or inspiration on this front would be appreciated.

Thanks again and please do help me spread the word if you can.

A huge thank you to everyone! I'm stoked at how you have all rallied around to support my project, despite the short deadline!

Thanks to all of you, I now have $490 in pledges. I need at least $500 before 16 May, which should be achievable! I'll be watching it closely...

I'm starting to make transport and accommodation plans for New York. I hope to see many of you there so I can thank you in person.