Everyday we bump into someone new and learn a little bit more. Everyone here has a story and has come a long way, even the Singaporeans apparently :-D
The Malays are wonderful, calm, and efficient. They've done their nation very proud and I want to give all of them a big hug. I helped with a district convention and it was a emotional and physical marathon, my heart goes out to everyone that worked on this monumental endeavour.
My personal squee moment was bumping into Rick from Speak at the dessert table. I get worried that he'll have a heart attack every time I see the movie. But was very pleased to see that he is slimmed down and smiling these days. Speak helped him a lot and he's still competing but now it's an excuse to go to convention. (Gael was rather annoyed that I met Rick but didn't get a photo, she's a much better groupie than me)
We've also talked to Zimbabweans, had an argument with a Nigerian and apologised profusely to her saint of a husband, and been mobbed by a friendly horde of Singaporeans. We even managed to get to the pub with some Kiwis!
When we sat down for breakfast in an underground mall 1/2 a kilometre from KLCC, Coen from Singapore introduced himself as a Toastmaster and advised us on breakfast, Singaporean economics, and Malaysian milo. He's working hard at becoming a professional speaker and doing amazingly well. Very inspiring seeing someone focussed so clearly on their dream.
At the other end of the journey, I had a quick chat with Douglas Kruger, an actual professional speaker. He was lovely, outgoing, and honest. He openly admitted that the merch is occasionally a nice sideline but mostly marketing. It only took him 4 years to become a pro-speaker but he's still learning and improving.
Oops, there's the 2013 champion, got to go...
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