When I boarded my flight at 7 PM for Jaipur, I was excited about attending WordCamp Rajasthan, but I didn’t realize the trip would become much more than just a conference. It turned into a perfect blend of learning, contributing, exploring a new city, and meeting amazing people from the WordPress community.
Day 1: The Journey Begins
I reached Jaipur around 10:30 PM and headed straight to the hotel. Unfortunately, by the time I checked in, I had already missed the complimentary dinner. Like any tired traveler, I opened Swiggy and searched for “South Indian food.”
What happened next was probably my first cultural lesson of the trip.
The restaurant promised authentic South Indian cuisine, but the sambar arrived surprisingly sweet and the chutney seemed like it had been reheated multiple times. As a South Indian, I spent a few moments questioning my life choices before accepting my fate and finishing dinner. Every trip needs a memorable start, and apparently, mine began with sweet sambar.
After that unexpected food adventure, I called it a night and looked forward to Contributor Day.
Day 2: Giving Back to the Community
Contributor Day has always been one of my favorite parts of WordCamp.
In previous years, I had contributed to WordPress Core, Support, and Meta projects. This time, however, I spent more time helping first-time contributors understand how they could get involved in WordPress. There is something incredibly rewarding about helping someone make their first contribution. Watching people realize they can be part of an open-source project, regardless of their background or experience level, is always inspiring.
The entire day reminded me why I love the WordPress community. People from different countries, professions, and skill levels come together with a shared goal of making WordPress better for everyone.
Thankfully, the food during the event was much better than my previous night’s “South Indian” experience. After the sessions wrapped up, I decided to explore Jaipur.
An Evening at Hawa Mahal
My evening took me to the iconic Hawa Mahal and the bustling markets surrounding it.
The streets were alive with energy. Everywhere I looked, there were colorful shops, local handicrafts, traditional clothing, and endless opportunities to explore. It honestly felt like there were thousands of shops lining the roads.
I spent several hours wandering through the markets, picking up toys for my family and some traditional Rajasthani clothing to bring home. By the end of the evening, my shopping bags were heavier and my wallet was noticeably lighter, which I believe is a universal travel experience.
The vibrant atmosphere, friendly shopkeepers, and beautiful architecture made it a memorable evening.
Day 3: WordCamp Rajasthan Main Event
Determined not to be late, I arrived at the Rajasthan International Centre at 8:30 AM.
A few minutes later, I realized the event would only start at 9:30 AM.
For one glorious hour, I had the rare opportunity to experience what it feels like to be too early.
Since I had extra time, I joined the organizers and volunteers in helping with registration, attendee support, and booth preparation. One thing I have always admired about WordCamp events is how everyone is willing to help. Whether you’re an organizer, sponsor, speaker, or attendee, everyone contributes in their own way.
Conversations About “AI” Everywhere
If there was one topic that dominated discussions throughout the day, it was AI.
Almost every conversation eventually turned toward how AI is changing the way we work. People shared stories about using AI to write code faster, complete projects more efficiently, improve productivity, create content, and even strengthen their personal brands.
What I found particularly interesting was that the discussions were not about replacing people. Instead, they focused on how AI can empower individuals and teams to achieve more while allowing them to focus on higher-value work.
As someone working in the WordPress ecosystem, these conversations provided plenty of ideas and perspectives that I can apply in my own work.
Meeting Amazing People
One of the biggest highlights of the event was meeting people from Yoast, YouTube, and WordPress.com.
Some of the most valuable learning happened outside the presentation rooms. Casual conversations between sessions often turned into discussions about SEO, community building, content strategy, development workflows, and the future of the web.
These interactions reminded me that WordCamp is not just about learning from speakers. It’s also about learning from each other.
By the end of the day, I was completely exhausted, but in the best possible way.
My original plan included more sightseeing in Jaipur that evening. However, after a full day of helping, networking, walking, and learning, my legs had different ideas. The only sightseeing I did that night was the short journey from my hotel room door to my bed.
Day 4: A Morning Walk Through Jaipur
Before heading home, I woke up early and went for a walk around the city.
I covered nearly three kilometers through Jaipur’s wide roads and peaceful streets. I have visited several cities across North India over the years, but Jaipur felt different.
The roads were impressively wide, the city felt clean and organized, and I noticed how well people followed traffic rules. There was a sense of order and calmness that made the morning walk especially enjoyable.
It was one of those quiet travel moments where you slow down, observe your surroundings, and appreciate the city beyond its tourist attractions.
What I Learned From the Trip
As I reflected on the last few days, I realized that WordCamp Rajasthan gave me much more than technical knowledge.
It reinforced the importance of contributing back to the open-source community. It reminded me that learning never stops, especially in a rapidly evolving industry. The conversations around AI opened new perspectives, while the interactions with fellow community members showed the power of collaboration and shared knowledge.
Beyond WordPress, the trip also gave me the chance to experience Jaipur’s culture, food, architecture, and hospitality. Every day offered a new lesson, whether it was helping new contributors, exploring local markets, or simply observing a different city and its people.
A Note of Gratitude
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Babcock Power for supporting this opportunity and enabling me to represent the company at WordCamp Rajasthan.
A special thank you to Jennifer and Sukumar for their encouragement, support, and trust throughout the planning and travel process. Their support helped make the trip smooth and stress-free, allowing me to focus on learning, contributing, and making the most of the experience.
Having leaders who encourage professional growth, community involvement, and continuous learning makes opportunities like this possible, and I truly appreciate it.
Final Thoughts
WordCamp Rajasthan was not just a conference. It was a journey of learning, contribution, exploration, and connection.
I returned home with new ideas, new friendships, fresh inspiration, and plenty of memories. From helping first-time contributors and discussing the future of AI to exploring the vibrant streets of Jaipur, every part of the experience added something valuable.
And while I learned a lot about WordPress, community building, and technology, I also learned one final lesson:
When someone says “authentic South Indian food” in a city you’ve never visited before, proceed with caution. The sweet sambar might still be waiting for you. 😄
Until the next, keep learning, keep contributing, and keep exploring. 🚀
