What is it about Hive people that just feels so much more real...?
Was one question I asked as we were winding down the calle during those last few Alicante hours. Maybe some of you will know what I'm asking.
The first event in our world I attended (in pre-Hive days) was in Krakow, 2018. I was only a kid then, so I figured maybe I just don't have enough real-world experience. Maybe this is what grown-up interactions are like. Yet, in the eight years since, I've attended a few more Hive events with some amazing people and... the feeling's the exact same.
In that time, I've felt properly seen a good number of times in my "other" life. I've had the experience of meeting some truly unique people outside Hive. Of being understood and recognized on a very deep level.
Yet, Hive events just hit different.
I love the way you can sit down with a random person from the blockchain you've never met before and have a deep, meaningful first conversation within minutes. It seems to me sometimes the fact that you are an engaged member in this larger online space that we share "vouches" for you immensely. So that perhaps you don't have to prove yourself to some people.
Some of you may remember I came to Hive Open Days a little bit cynical and doubtful. And in a way, I still am. Everyone talks about onboarding. Yet, down the years, I've met so many amazing people who just found Hive (or its predecessor) more or less randomly, without any aggressive onboarding, and just... stayed. To me, it felt like one of the easiest, most natural decisions.
Though now, as the plane rolls off the Spanish soil, I'm baffled and hopeful too. Why wouldn't you want to stay?
Time and again, meeting Hiveians reminds me of the wonderful possibility of connection that exists in the greater beyond. I must say, I'm tremendously grateful to have encountered you all on my journey.
What was Hive Open Days like? I won't give you a frame-by-frame account. There's more skillful people for that. I also won't be dropping a slew of selfies. I'm much too shy for that. Though I will share with you the event through the eyes of my stuffed companion, little Lisbonilฤ, who appreciated meeting you all as well.
Not having slept all through the previous night and having various flight troubles down the road, I thought I had no patience for people the first unofficial night. I felt the same in Graz (and stayed in with Netflix), but here, hunger and proximity eventually lured me out of the accommodation. And I'm glad it did. The minute you run into Hiveians, it's like your brain changes. You switch on, you come alive. In that Spanish McDonalds equivalent, we ended up having a cheap-sangria blast, meeting old faces and new.
We skipped some of the talks on the first day in favor of the beach, but in between, I caught some great ones.
@alessandrawhite being the awe-inspiring force that she is delivered a fantastic welcoming and rallying cry for Hive and for this brilliant community that we've built, which made me want to open another account (or ten) here.
Later, she and the wonderful, talented @mipiano gave a fantastic piano and clarinet concerto of some famous songs, including my personal favorite, a Lord of the Rings theme that had us checking around for @gtg at any moment.
My beloved @ninaeatshere gave us a beautiful presentation on behalf of @worldmappin, and all the exciting things happening there that made me realize how little I interact with that place. Should change that. I always like hearing Nina speak (and speaking with her, of course). She is so warm, so real. A perfect example of the brilliant people you can meet here, if you're lucky. Alas, I didn't get a picture as my bag was across the room, but I did snap this lovely one a little later that day on one of our mandatory coffee outings.
What luck, to have such brilliant people speaking on our behalf, eh?
Day 2 saw us taking a boat ride out to the island of Tabarca, where they gave us fish and paella and ice cream, and the water was too cold to swim in. Bastards.
Actually, the exciting part for me was the #CleanPlanet walk, as I found I enjoyed it more than I expected last year and was really looking forward to it. Since I'm not competitive by nature, I just took an exploratory walk around the island with my love and my trash claw, ended up receiving some campers' trash, seeing a locked cemetery, then running back to our boat.
Speaking of the amazing @godfish, since no venue was planned for that night, he actually shephereded us on one of his infamous beer journeys at this lovely little place. It was last minute; it was an impromptu "table" that somehow kept squeezing in more and more hungry Hiveians. It was the best dinner of the event for me and not because of who organized.
For me, the best part of Hive events is the afterwards, the cooldown, when everyone is more relaxed and chill.
Oh, and we had some pretty amazing beers for #BeerSaturday, including this one, just to prove to @detlev I can drink beer with the best of 'em. :D
Sunday was supposed to be a day of rest. We decided to skip the activities, take it easy and enjoy the gorgeous balcony at our Airbnb with a late breakfast. But plans seldom go as they should when it comes to Hive.
We had barely finished our breakfast when we heard a cheeky voice from outside complaining about laziness. With dishsoap bubbles still on my hands, I went out to the terrace to find a pitchfork-wielding mob camping outside our apartment, led by none other than @ninaeatshere (these Worldmappin folk will get you out and about...whether you like it or not!).
All the thanks to @palomap3 for this picture, as well as the hugs, smiles and organization. It was wonderful meeting you.
We dressed while everyone had a biscuit and a rest and joined the tour under duress, which turned out to be a good choice; otherwise, we would've missed so many fantastic decorations and street art.
Here, we observe Lisbonilฤ being rudely photo-bombed by @edje, Nina and @nonsowrites. While it was really fun getting to hang with you guys again, I would be more attentive next time. :P
After the tour, we shared a final coffee before saying goodbye to some - @alessandrawhite and @bitterirony, thank you so much for the conversations and especially the support for our upcoming little project; @livinguktaiwan and @sinochip, it was so great seeing you again, you both have such a good energy, it's just a joy spending time with you.
We also said goodbye to the man behind the event who, I feel, doesn't get nearly the deserved appreciation for all his tireless work towards organizing these amazing events - @tibfox. Thank you so, so much for taking months of work upon yourself for us. Speaking of great energy, from the moment I ran into you guys at the supermarket randomly, I knew this would be a killer event, and it totally was. Also, much gratitude to the beautiful @machamorag2 for her presence.
Some of us made our way to the beach later that day and even managed to have a semi-serious conversation about Hive, onboarding, and other important topics while surviving the angry waves.
The last day started with a power-out and a cockroach down the wall but ended up as a lot of chilling around the beach with some very special people. Which brings us up to the beginning of our post.
What makes Hiveians so special to be around? The truth is, I have no fucking clue. I just wish more people knew it. As I said earlier, for me, this platform has been a no-brainer since day one and just continues to get easier with every passing year and meetup.
Aside from those already mentioned, I would also like to say ahoj (and hopefully see you again real soon) to
- @mightyrockylee - it was so great seeing you again. I enjoyed hanging out and getting to meet @susieisclever.
- @ratona, muchas gracias por tu luz y tu energia preciosa.
- @ph1102, thank you for the big welcoming hug that reminded me I was among friends.
- @m31 and @lemony-cricket, after somehow missing you at multiple events, it was a pleasure finally sharing a drink and conversation with you.
- @schmidi, I loved your energy, warmth and excitement.
- @haastrecht, you're definitely on my "trusts you with a smile and a story" list. It was so good meeting you.
- @igormuba, someone who understands my music sense, and such a warm, charming person to be around.
- @elsurtidor, @enraizar, @reiseamateur, though we didn't get to interact much, I felt there was warmth and friendship whenever our paths crossed. And that's not nothing in this great, big, scary world.
As for our newcomers - @hivevive, @marinasalvi3, @iamkaye, nikaradeva, @anamz, @juanmatrader, @dimrad and @gisse - welcome to Hive. I hope we showed you at least a bit of how great this community can be. Trust me. As someone who discovered this place at 18, knowing nothing about the world, it's helped me grow and blossom so much. Give it a try. And please feel free to tag me in your first posts. I would love to read them.
Overall, I'm coming home excited, happy, hopeful, a little nostalgic, and a little sunburnt. Thank you all so much for the past few days.
It was my second Hive event and I absolutely get you. Meeting Hiveans is like meeting old friends EVEN IF IT OUR FIRST TIME EVER TALKING! I don't know why or how this magic happens but it is true. I have felt what you described to a lesser extend in Hive Fest Amsterdam 2022 and now the same feeling again BUT STRONGER in Hive Open Days Alicante 2026. I suppose it is addicting and the more I go to those events the more those people will feel like... I don't want to use the word family because it is strong but it feels right to call hiveans family.
It is as if those people have always been my friends. There should be a word for it, a word for meeting someone you didn't know before but it feels like you did.
Maybe it is because we, hiveans, already have profound topics in common upfront so there is little need to ice breaking? We can meet someone and alreadytalk about past events, on chain gossip and history and things that happened on Hive? That would explain it.
It was hive to meet you, hope to swarm around the next event we get so we can sing some motรถrhead and tenacious D on the karaoke hahaha
I see what you mean, and yes, family means much. But personally, I thought of that exact word during the event. Once, I thought the right people for us were just like us but the older I get, the more I savor the beauty of accepting we're all a bit different, a bit kooky in different ways and there's great beauty in that. HIVE attracts so many different people, the fact that we get to come together under the same roof and enjoy each other's company regardless of our differences sounds pretty like family to me.
It was great fun meeting you and listening to you talk about cool music across the room. Yes to the karaoke, hopefully someday I am brave enough. ;)
Great post and pics from this weekend! Happy to meet you and your teddy, so cute and hope to see you guys again.
It was lovely meeting you!! Can't wait to read your take on the whole event!
Although I am still processing what I experienced... I have felt sensations or feelings similar to those you describe in the publication. We don't interact much, it's true, but I don't forget those gestures (yours), the looks and smiles, which, although brief, reminded me that I was in a safe place with very good vibes.
Thank you very much @honeydue for the mention, and for the light you transmit.
Un abrazo!!
Thank you! Likewise. Nina spoke very highly of you and I enjoyed your presence (my only regret was not speaking such good Spanish to interact more). Perhaps next time, eh? :)
In any case, the language problem belongs to both of us... and I think it's more mine. I belong to a generation of Spaniards who did not study languages โโin class... I'm sure that next time I will have advanced with English... and we will be able to communicate better.
And... Nina... Nina it's heaven. ๐
She really is. And I look forward to it :)
See you soon ๐๐
๐๐๐คฃ
As it's said here in Spain "Idiomas cariรฑo!"
Curated!
Thanks for using Ecency!
Thank you so much!
I think I'd just self combust with nervous excitement being at a Hive do, and I would totally trip over my nervous words with fan girl adrenalin if I got to meet you! I'd probably chicken out at the last minute, and if I did, you'd have to refer me to this post. Hey you posted quite a few pics last event (of yourself) - I loved them - dont' be shy! POT, Kettle, BLACK!
Oh come on! I would probably just run over and give you a big hug (though I'm certainly not that way with everyone). It was fun, I had a similar experience with Nina a couple years ago. I was scared to introduce myself 'cause I figured she was so cool and popular, then when we met, I discovered she had the exact same problem with me. :)))
It would be so fun to meet you someday ๐
That's right girls, that's the absolute fangirl feeling about us ladies on Hive and let me tell ya something, we're all pretty cool so if I see you around someday @riverflows I will take you myself to get to know this amazing being, I'm a perfect Ice breaker unless it's something about myself xD hahaha so dont hesitate in using me xD hugs to you both!
Pequeรฑa Lisbonilฤ I miss you already โค๏ธ
It's lovely to meet you again and to see the impact Hive has had on your life, just in the past year. Although I didn't know you from your "little girl days" on the chain, I'm grateful that I've met you for 2 years in a row and kinda see you grow (gee I sound so old saying this now ๐)
He says hello and thanks for keeping an eye on him on the boat with
those kidsthat dangerous gang of hoodlums.
And I thank you, as well <3 Who could've thought Hive would mean so much, back in my little girl days :D It's always such a pleasure seeing you, you have a way of lighting up a room, which I just... I love. And no, you don't sound old, you sound observant and present (and that's actually pretty damn cool ๐)
I ts been a pleasure to meet you and Lisbonilฤ , although did not talk much with you . I am still wondering what the 2 little girls and you were talking about in the boat journey back from Tabarca
They were simply curious about the world and our strange little group :D Nice meeting you!
๐ Nice to meet you . Enjoy Lisboa!
Lisbonilฤ is adorable! What a cute companion! ๐ Your photos are lovely and your recap of Hive Open Days is quite engaging! I've always thought you are a good writer, and I enjoyed every moment of your experience! ๐
Thank you! I've always thought the same about you :)
I hope Lisbonilฤ also liked the concert and the same song as you ๐
I hope you are well (we are with a cold ๐คง๐คฆโโ)
Absolutely! And yes, we're well. I'm sorry to hear. Get well soon, guys <3
Sounds like it was a great group of people. I had heard there were quite a few new faces there too which is cool. We need more people coming to HIVE!
Yes, quite a good turnout! Feel free to follow any of them as they were lovely! All in all, a good event as far as onboarding goes :D
Thank you so much for this #HOD review as I was able to enjoy in moments when I wasn't present... I got pissed off as my body didn't "survive" through the whole weekend and betrayed me... Despite all that, I can't wait for the next meetup, as Hive people are something special... It's impossible to find this kind of bunch of people like we have... ๐
See you in Barcelona as latest, or somewhere else before that! ๐
Maybe you needed a rest :) best to listen to the body when it calls. Definitely see you guys in Barcelona in September. ๐ค
I definitely needed rest... Still recovering... Currently at 50%...
See you in Barcelona!
There's time. :)
I came late to your recap but here I am. I was happy to hug you, hear your voice, look into your eyes and feel your lovely vibes. I would like to know English better to talk more with you, but just having you near was awesome. And is it possible that we can repeat in Barcelona? ๐งธ๐ฉท๐
Aww thank you again!! And yes, we will do all we can to make it to Barcelona ๐ I was there a couple years ago and have been dreaming to go back ever since. Time to work on my espaรฑol!
wow in the land of CR7 , ancient castles and civilization
What a beautiful story! Reading it made me feel like I was sharing the experience; I even imagined the piano music! It's wonderful to be able to enjoy your experience in this way! Thank you for sharing it.๐
Okay, now that Iโve had my little fun snooping through your comments, Iโm going to tell you something: I love being one of the familiar faces featuring your recap alongside your sangria drinking honey bear, hahaha. You have no idea how excited I was to go visit some coffee shops together, and I love that we ended up making those coffee shops part of our meetup spots with various Hivians. Let no one say we donโt have the power to draw a crowd, hahaha.
Before saying goodbye...
Got'chaaaaaa ๐คฃ
And lastly and more seriously, I really liked the sound of this one:
Lots of love and for some more "semi-serious conversation about Hive while surviving angry waves"๐ค