TweetupSL is something active tweeps (Twitter users) across Sri Lanka look forward to each year. It is, after all, one of the biggest meetups in Sri Lanka. Alas, this year TweetupSL didn’t happen. At least in any official capacity. Unofficially, we had a small Year End Tweetup at Coco Veranda with a few very active tweeps on the 22nd of December.
The origins
It all started with a single tweet by @YasirNasir.
@udithaumesh How about a year end mini tweetup at @cocoveranda? It’s been a while since we got set.
— YāsirNasír™ (@YasirNasir) December 17, 2015
A date was then set which @udithaumesh was comfortable with
@YasirNasir that’s good. Now the tricky part. Who else? 😀 @cocoveranda — Umesh (@udithaumesh) December 17, 2015
Over the course of the day, more enthusiastic tweeps were found that loved the idea.
@YasirNasir @udithaumesh @cocoveranda @nazly @milindat me in 🙂
— Shazly Makeen (@mack005) December 17, 2015
@YasirNasir @mack005 @udithaumesh @cocoveranda @nazly sounds like a plan. ? — Mili (@milindat) December 17, 2015
@YasirNasir @milindat @mack005 @udithaumesh @cocoveranda @nazly @gopiharan @himalkk @biggzio @anudi_ I am in 🙂
— Chuti Nona (@SueKiri) December 17, 2015
Soon, the Coco Veranda seal of approval was granted.
@SueKiri @YasirNasir @milindat @mack005 @udithaumesh @nazly @gopiharan @himalkk @biggzio @anudi_ Loving this!! 😀 — Coco Veranda (@cocoveranda) December 17, 2015
#YearEndTweetup was now official with a few rules in place.
#YearEndTweetup on the 22nd at @cocoveranda. Old school style, turn up and talk, pay for your own shit, no freebies.
— Umesh (@udithaumesh) December 17, 2015
What happened at the #YearEndTweetup
Unlike TweetupSL, the Year End Tweetup didn’t exactly have an agenda full of activities. It was a return to the basics of a Tweetup where the main activity was for Tweetups to meet and socialize over a cup of coffee. This resulted in interesting conversations with topics varying from Star Wars to TEDx to Enrique.
Tweeps lining up for all the freebies @ #YearEndTweetup at @cocoveranda. Jk. They be paying for their own shit. 😛 pic.twitter.com/9KxwhCgmIR — YāsirNasír™ (@YasirNasir) December 22, 2015
Very ‘interesting’ conversations happening at the #yearendtweetup @cocoveranda ?
— ReadMe Live (@ReadMeLive) December 22, 2015
The coffee has hit! #YearEndTweetUp pic.twitter.com/zXzgysPVYI — ReadMe Live (@ReadMeLive) December 22, 2015
We also celebrated @udaraumd’s birthday who is a co-founder of the original TweetupSL.
Happy B’Day to @udaraumd! From all the tweeps at #YearEndTweetUp at @cocoveranda pic.twitter.com/YnxBK6jg1C
— ReadMe Live (@ReadMeLive) December 22, 2015
Of course, what’s a Tweetup without Coco’s famous and mouth-watering Death by Chocolate cake?
Good folks at @cocoveranda bring a Death by Chocolate to the #YearEndTweetUp – Old habits die hard ? pic.twitter.com/gjBYY5XC5c — ReadMe Live (@ReadMeLive) December 22, 2015
#CocoAmith about to slay the beast, aka #DBC, at #YearEndTweetup @cocoveranda pic.twitter.com/5qKhLYZklp
— YāsirNasír™ (@YasirNasir) December 22, 2015
DBC for everyone @ #YearEndTweetup sponsored by the good people at @cocoveranda 🙂 you can still come & have a piece pic.twitter.com/zzuJa0lH4N — Gopiharan Perinpam (@gopiharan) December 22, 2015
After surviving a chocolate overdose from the DBC, each of us said our goodbyes and went our separate ways.
#YearEndTweetup.. Thank you @cocoveranda for the awesome support. Honoured. Thanks tweeps 🙂 pic.twitter.com/oMl54px3nF
— Nareshwar R. (@nrshq) December 22, 2015
Photo of #YearEndTweetpUp. Some of us went too early. Thanks @cocoveranda for hosting us. pic.twitter.com/XIvlSiHfhX — Zaman Alferoz (@ZamanX90) December 27, 2015
The Year End Tweetup was very informal and one of the most memorable and fun Tweetups we’ve ever been to. Hopefully, we’ll see a few more Year End Tweetups in the future.