For me, the Queen Mary was not a haunted ship. Instead, it was a boon, where I became an American celebrity wearing a golden sherwani, escorted by the red haired Tealet fairy, Elyse Peterson.
Elyse earned the Best Media award for her revolutionary tea platform created for international business where small growers can showcase their products directly to the consumers. World Tea Media has decided to hold this extravaganza every year, all over America, where all the American tea glitterati will jostle for position to present their aspirations of cultivating their own teas, and in the near future becoming net exporters with their flavored teas overflowing the European shores.
I felt the same some years ago when China National TV network catapulted me to fame as I declared myself to be the man who brought their stolen Darjeeling tea back to them. Now all the American chains are eyeing the rich bumper Chinese market, with Starbucks’ leading the pack. Maybe Gong Li will soon be presenting Darjeeling teas, clad in historic Tang dynasty robes. I sometimes laugh at myself for all these dreams, but as they say: dreams can come true if followed properly. I call upon the Indian tea industry to showcase their products properly, like Sri Lanka did, to get the right place for India’s wonderful teas.
International tea shows, like the World Tea Expo, held all over the world, are part of the 
assimilation process which acts as a balancing act to streamline the supply and demand equilibrium of this 90 billion US dollar industry. We participants are the actors, each trying, a bit like an ant carrying up to six times its body weight to build its cocoon around itself to safely enjoy its world. We are specks on the timeline which runs in streaks to light up its own sky. Let us do our best to spread the culture of tea which has been beautifully presented here.
Let us assemble again in September 2014 in Canada, or October 2014, in China. We meet again and again and speak of all these stories world over as ambassadors of tea.
Images courtesy of the contributor.
It is truly a WORLD tea expo. I find it impressive how people from around the world converge as one, all sharing in their devotion and love of tea. It sounds like this year, they really out did themselves by creating new events for everyone to enjoy. My plan is to attend next year. Isn’t it fun being an “American celebrity”?
Michelle since to me America lies from tip of Alaska touching Siberia near north pole to the other tip of Chile near south pole my dream is truly American…
Rajiv, I just sent you this poem via e-mail, but it is the perfect complement to this post:
“Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
“Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.”
-Langston Hughes
thanks Rafe..dreams die hard and mine are too live..let the tea revolution spread by leaps and bounds and I live to the day to drink a “certified” truly American tea..
As I have been earmarking this show as the “most professionally managed tea show worldwide” this is catering to the American populace to get themselves educated about tea by bringing them a plethora of world teas on their doorsteps and from recent decision to make it a travelling show it will serve the purpose more clearly. It is simply making up for the lost time since the day tea was thrown into the sea on American shores overboard…
Rajiv, you are truly an inspiration and I am certain your dreams will be fulfilled. Thank you for “Educating Us One Sip at a TIME!”
thanks Barbara
The best part of World Tea Expo..meeting Rajiv Lochan..hands down!
thanks Diana..this trip across Pacific Ocean has changed my perspective towards tea..it give me an added reason to live longer and do something extra-ordinary for the tea garden workers thru Tealet…