If someone had told me before this offsite trip that I’d dance my heart out, perform in front of people, and make memories with people I barely knew, I’d have laughed in disbelief. But Jaipur Offsite 2025 had other plans for me.
So, here’s my raw, unfiltered, emotional, and slightly quirky journey of how I went from being an introvert, unsure about this trip, to someone who never wanted it to end.
The excitement begins—Offsite 2025
When I joined StoreApps in September 2024, I knew one thing for sure—I’d be working from home. No office politics, no morning traffic, just me, my laptop, and my PJs.
But then, I heard whispers of an annual offsite meet, usually around January or February. A chance to meet my boss and colleagues in real life? To finally step out from behind the screen and see if they actually exist outside of Google Meet calls? Count me in!
Fast forward a few months, and boom—the official announcement dropped! Offsite dates: January 29 – February 1, 2025. The catch? Our HR, Gurvinder, kept the location a surprise.
But honestly, I didn’t care where we were going. I just knew I had to go. This was my chance to experience a solo trip for the first time in my life. No way I was missing this!
Then, one fine day, Gurvinder spilled the beans— JAIPUR! The land of royalty, forts, palaces, and mouth-watering kachoris. I was beyond excited!
I started prepping immediately—shopping for new clothes, buying a side bag, checking the weather forecast like a detective, and mentally preparing myself for the adventure ahead.
The train journey that almost broke me
D-Day arrived. January 29. My train was at 2:00 AM (yep, you read that right—2 in the freakin’ AM). But there was a tiny problem. Mahakumbh was happening, which meant train stations were overflowing with people, many of whom didn’t have tickets but still boarded like they owned the place.
And that’s exactly what happened.
The train was warzone-level crowded. People were fighting to get in, sitting in the aisles, and squeezing into every possible space. My introverted self was already screaming inside. But I had made up my mind—even if I had to stand on one leg all the way to Jaipur, I was going!
Then came the real drama. A lady occupied my seat without a ticket. Now, I’m all about kindness, but excuse me, ma’am, I paid for that seat! After a little argument (okay, a heated argument), I managed to get my seat back—thanks to RailMadad and a very helpful TTE.
But did I sleep after all that? Nope. The excitement was too real!
The moment of truth: Reaching Jaipur
I was supposed to reach Jaipur at noon, but as the station got closer, a new feeling kicked in—nervousness.
Heart pounding. Mind racing. What do I even say to everyone? How do I act? What if I embarrass myself? Introvert struggles are real, guys.
I kept texting my social media partner Deepika every minute, panicking about how I’d greet everyone. But there was no turning back now—I had arrived. Hotel Laxmi Niwas, our home for the next three days, stood tall and regal, showcasing Rajasthani culture at its finest. It was stunning!
The first encounter
I got my room assigned—211, where I’d be staying with Shubhanshu and Suman. But they were out for breakfast, and guess what? They had the keys.
So, I awkwardly sat in the reception, waiting. Fifteen minutes later, I met my first colleagues in person—Tanvi, Ami, and Shabeth.
Cue the awkwardness.
I wanted to say hello, but my shyness was winning. Finally, I managed a handshake with Tanvi (proud of myself for that one).
Then, Shabeth offered me a place in his room, number 304, where I found out I’d actually be staying with Anish and Shabeth instead. Plot twist!
Insta KYC – No, not know your customer
After a quick freshen-up (read: panic shower), I rushed to the basement at 2:30 PM for our first official activity—Insta KYC. Nope, not the banking kind. Know Your Colleagues!
Our boss, Nirav Sir, kicked things off with a welcome speech, setting the tone for the madness ahead. Hosted by Tarun, this activity was designed to help us get to know each other better—through totally random, unexpected questions.
Honestly, this was a lifesaver for someone like me, who was still battling the “how-do-I-start-a-conversation” dilemma.
And yes, a special thanks to Tanvi, who assured me that she would stay by my side and help me cope with this situation, as she had experienced it before.
The battle of wits
Next up? The No-Answer Question Game. The rules were simple—don’t answer a question, just ask another one.
Sounds easy? WRONG.
We split into two teams, and whoever managed to keep the questioning going without slipping up, won.
And oh God, the final round was legendary—Mansi vs. Nirav Sir. And obviously, Nirav Sir won the game.
But Mansi’s presence of mind was pure fire. Even Nirav Sir later admitted he almost lost. I was just sitting there in awe, thinking, “Wow, I need this kind of brainpower in my life.”
After that, we took a small break before jumping into our next activity at 3:30 PM—Blind Spots and Torch Lights.
Blind spots and supercommunicators: The lightbulb moments
The first session of the day was all about blind spots—the things we don’t even realize we’re unaware of. It was an eye-opener.
We then jumped into a session called Supercommunicators, where we explored why effective communication isn’t just about talking but truly understanding and drawing the right conclusions.
It made me reflect on how I interpret conversations and where I can improve.
Hot seats: My challenge, your solutions
At 5 PM, we had a session that felt like a mix of therapy and a business hackathon. Everyone took turns in the hot seat, sharing their challenges, while the rest of the team brainstormed solutions based on their experiences.
It was fascinating to hear different perspectives and practical solutions—some I would’ve never thought of on my own.
Interview time: How others see me
This one was interesting (and slightly nerve-wracking). We had to share feedback with our colleagues—strengths, weaknesses, things they could count on us for, and things they couldn’t.
I won’t lie; it was insightful and a little humbling. While I noted down areas for improvement, I also felt proud of the strengths people saw in me.
Jaipur by night: Hawa Mahal, Masala Chowk, & Metro adventures
After back-to-back sessions, we were all eagerly waiting for the real fun to begin—Jaipur by Night! We literally ran to our rooms, changed clothes at lightning speed, and gathered at the reception to plan our mode of travel.
Metro it was! From Vivek Vihar to Badi Chaupar, the excitement was building up.
And then, boom! There it was Hawa Mahal in all its lit-up glory. Seeing it in real life after only admiring it on social media or in movies was a surreal experience. Of course, a massive selfie session followed (because, priorities!).
Next stop? Masala Chowk, a paradise for food lovers. With over 20-25 stalls serving Indian, Italian, Punjabi, Chinese, and more, the food choices were overwhelming.
Chole Bhature? Safe bet! Kachori Chaat? Obviously, yes! My colleagues ordered different dishes, and of course, I had to try a bite of everything (because that’s how foodie friendships work).
Just as our food coma was about to kick in, I heard—“There’s a DJ party at the hotel!” Now, usually, I’d be the one saying, “Let’s call it a night.” But something about that night was different.
I found myself on the dance floor with people I had only known through Google Meet calls. And let me tell you, watching Manish, Abhay, Shabeth, Gurvinder, Mansi, Nirav Sir, and the rest of the team OWN the dance floor was the highlight of the night.
Even as an introvert, I couldn’t resist catching the vibe and dancing my heart out.
And somehow, despite being exhausted, I ended up sleeping at 3:30 AM (oops!). Yes, you guessed that right! I’m a night owl.
Day 2: Fresh energy, matching T-shirts, & leadership lessons
Waking up at 7:30 AM for a fitness session? Yeah, not happening. I snoozed my alarm and finally woke up at 8 AM. After a quick bath, I rushed downstairs for breakfast.
Poha & mixed juice fueled me up for the day ahead, and I also tried some homemade Gujarati Chivda offered by Ami, which was surprisingly delicious.
The highlight of the morning? Wearing our brand-new StoreApps T-shirts. I had always seen my colleagues wear these in WordCamp and offsite photos, and now, finally, I was wearing one too.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I did a little bicep flex (all those gym sessions had to pay off somewhere, right?).
Team photoshoot & the OG joota(shoe) selfie
We kicked off the day with a team photoshoot, clicking pictures brand-wise—StoreApps, Icegram, Putler. For a moment, I felt like I wouldn’t be in any of them since I work across all brands.
But then, when I was called for a Marketing Team photo, I felt relieved (because, I had to show these pics to my mom!).
And, of course, the OG Joota Selfie by girls made its comeback—phone in a shoe, timer on, and everyone huddling in. Classic.
Lightning talks with TLs & the AMA with Nirav Sir
The next session was Lightning Talks + AMA with Leaders. Some key takeaways:<
- Tarun: Multitasking like a boss
- Sandhya: Why learning never stops
- Gurvinder: The power of connections
- Anish: Clarity = Confidence
Each talk had golden nuggets of wisdom, and I made sure to take notes. Then came the one-on-one AMA with Nirav Sir.
Talking to the person behind all three brands and discussing challenges was something I was eagerly waiting for. He gave me some valuable insights on what I was doing right and where I needed to level up.
Games, leadership, & a reality check
To shake things up, we played a game where we had to roll a dice until someone got a 6. The moment a player rolls a 6, he’ll start writing numbers in reverse order, starting from 100, 99, 98, 97, and so on. Meanwhile, the other players continued rolling the dice.
As soon as someone else rolled a 6, they would snatch the pen from the previous player and continue the backward counting. Guess what? I won in my group!
Next, we had a session called “Me as a Leader – Role Playing” where we were given real-life scenarios at the workplace and had to think and act as a leader. And that’s when it hit me—
It’s easy to criticize leaders when you’re not in their shoes. But when you’re the one making the tough calls, you realize it’s not that simple. This session completely shifted my perspective.
A lunch worth the hype!
After an insightful session, it was time for the most awaited event of the day—lunch! And trust me, this time, the spread was something to drool over.
I started with a warm bowl of soup, setting the stage for the real stars of the show—chowmein, Manchurian, and chili paneer.
Every bite was packed with deliciousness! And as if that wasn’t enough, the dessert section stole my heart—creamy ice cream and soft, syrupy gulab jamun. A perfect ending to a perfect meal!
Becoming wiser—the Nirav Sir way!
Post-lunch, at 2:30 PM, we had a deep and thought-provoking session with Nirav Sir on how to become wiser. He broke it down so simply—failures are inevitable, but learning from them is what makes us wiser.
And he didn’t just throw philosophy at us; he gave us actionable steps to build wisdom
- Create a challenge – Something you genuinely want to learn.
- Learn – Dive deep into it.
- Act – Apply what you’ve learned.
- Observe – See what worked and what didn’t.
- Repeat – Keep refining the process.
Simple yet so powerful! By the end of the session, I felt like I had unlocked a secret level in the game of life.
Tea break & the great escape to Gulab Garh!
After the session, we took a quick tea break before gearing up for the most awaited adventure of the day—our visit to Gulab Garh! But first, the real challenge—how to get there with so many people? We decided to book Ola/Uber, and my travel buddies for the ride were Mansi and Dolly.
Now, let me take a moment to appreciate Mansi. She was so sweet and friendly that it didn’t feel like I was sitting with a senior. We had such a great chat that I even shared some personal things with her—something I don’t usually do. Conversations like these make you realize how amazing colleagues can be!
A royal welcome at Gulab Garh!
The moment we reached Gulab Garh, the royal vibes hit differently! The entry itself was a grand affair—two musicians playing Shehnai, a lovely girl welcoming us with flowers and a Tika on our forehead, making us feel like royalty. Rajasthan, you truly know how to make someone feel special!
The madness begins—fun, games, & magic!
Once inside, there was so much to explore. We kicked off with watching our colleagues take on the Bull Ride—while I didn’t try it myself, the pure joy (and fear!) on their faces was entertaining enough.
Then, we stumbled upon a magic show—and, OMG, this magician was next-level! He kept throwing tricks at us that made us go ‘HOW?!’ But the real highlight? His signature word—’Ghuchadu!’ Every time he did a trick, he’d say it, and it became our new favorite word throughout the offsite!
Carnival vibes & pottery masterpieces!
Then I jumped into some fun carnival games—throwing balls to break a man’s teeth (a game, not an actual person!), aiming baskets, and hitting pots. Then, I saw Sandhya making pottery! With the guidance of a skilled artisan, she crafted something beautiful—definitely a core memory unlocked.
Palm reading—will march be my month?
Then came a quirky experience—a palm reader! Now, I don’t usually believe in this stuff, but curiosity got the best of me. He looked at my palm and said, “Your good time starts in March!”
Me: “So, should I just sit back and do nothing until then?”
Him: Stares at me like I just insulted his ancestors. Haha!
Blindfold reading—mind = blown!
Just when I thought the surprises were over, we saw a guy doing blindfold reading. He asked us to write ANY word in ANY language on a board and promised to write the exact same thing while blindfolded.
And guess what? He Did It! Till now, I have NO idea how he pulled that off. It was beyond my understanding!
Though Ritwik, Tanvi, and I were discussing that there was something odd about the shape of his nose, which was somehow helping him see downwards even while being blindfolded. Haha, that was literally a funny moment!
Dance, rides, & musical roast sessions!
We also caught an energetic Rajasthani folk dance performance before heading for some fun rides—Columbus Ride, Mini Giant Wheel, and the ultimate Camel Ride! I rode with Jayesh, and guess what? I was having a one-on-one chat with Jayesh while doing a camel ride. LOL!
The night got even more entertaining when a Rajasthani singer started singing random songs based on our faces! He especially roasted Rohit & Neha and Tanvi & Shubhanshu, and he even dedicated some funny lines to Mansi. It was hilarious!
Dinner fit for a king!
After all the fun, it was time for a royal Rajasthani feast! We sat down for a traditional thali served on leaf plates, featuring:
- Paneer Lababdar
- Aloo ki Sabji
- Dal Baati
- Rice
- Tawa Roti
- Achar & Salad
- Jalebi
But what made this meal truly special wasn’t just the food—it was the way it was served. At last, Nirav Sir himself served us Jalebis, adding a personal touch to the experience. The warmth and hospitality of the staff were unmatched.
The servers made sure our plates were never empty, and their genuine smiles added to the whole experience. We laughed, we ate, and we truly felt like we were part of something bigger—a family sharing a meal together. Pure love in every bite!
The group pic & the safe ride back!
Before leaving, we clicked some awesome group pictures near the Gulab Garh gate—a perfect way to seal this memory. Since it was quite late, we took an extra safety measure—keeping Google Maps open during our Ola ride back to the hotel, just to ensure we were on the right route.
Late-night gaming—Las Vegas style!
Back at the hotel, we weren’t ready to sleep yet! So, we gathered on the rooftop for a game session. Nirav Sir introduced us to a game called Las Vegas. Initially, I had no clue how to play, but once he explained the rules, I was hooked!
Jay and Sachin played like masterminds—their sharp strategies and quick thinking made the game so intense and fun! By the end of it, I realized I loved this game more than I expected!
Finally, exhaustion kicked in, and I crashed the moment I hit the bed. Day 2? Wrapped!
Day 3 kickoff – Vipassana with Nirav Sir
Waking up early after a packed day? Hard. But I somehow managed to drag myself to Nirav Sir’s session at 7:30 AM.
The topic? Vipassana.
And let me tell you, this was one of the most enlightening sessions ever. The depth of knowledge he had—not just in his field but across so many different aspects of life—was beyond impressive. He was quickly becoming someone I deeply admired. So much wisdom and so much to learn!
After an insightful session, I dragged myself back to my room, freshened up, and headed for breakfast. This time, it was idli and juice again—classic, safe, and easy on my half-asleep brain. While I was enjoying my solitary meal, Nirav Sir and Jagannath joined me.
Breakfast table conversations are usually about deep life philosophies. But today, it was all about our free time from 10 AM to 2 PM! Everyone was making plans—some for shopping, some for sightseeing, and some for just lazing around. And me? Well, being the new guy, I had no group.
Operation Jantar Mantar and the art of bargaining
As it turns out, a few of us were still hotel-bound—Me, Nirav Sir, Jagannath, Ratnakar, Stephy, and Gomathi. With no FOMO to battle, we teamed up and decided to visit Jantar Mantar and Albert Hall.
Like proper city travelers, we took the metro from Vivek Vihar to Badi Chaupar, stepped out, and BAM!—Hawa Mahal in all its glory. Naturally, we had a mandatory selfie session because, let’s be honest, what’s a trip without 100+ photos you’ll never go through again?
On the way to Jantar Mantar, we stopped at a market because shopping urges don’t wait. Everyone except Nirav Sir and I wanted to buy Rajasthani traditional outfits. And this is where Nirav Sir unlocked his hidden superpower: Extreme Bargaining Mode Activated.
Shopkeeper: This dress is for 1500.
Nirav Sir: Nahi Bhaiya, 500 se ek rupee bhi zyada nahi!
Shopkeeper: 800, sir. Final.
Nirav Sir: Chalo acha naa tumhara na mera 600 me done karte hai Lol!!
Jantar Mantar – Science, Sun, and some head-scratching
After some quick shopping, we quickly moved ahead towards Jantar Mantar, which was all about ancient astronomical instruments that can still measure time and predict weather.
Mind-blowing stuff! We hired a guide, and while he was passionately explaining things, my brain was doing a mix of “Wow, this is amazing!” and “Wait…what?!” Some of the instruments were so complex that I nodded like I totally understood, but inside, I was buffering.
Albert Hall Museum & the legendary mummy hunt
Post Jantar Mantar, we hopped onto an e-rickshaw and made our way to Albert Hall Museum. But here’s a plot twist—Stephy and Gomathi decided to go shopping instead. And then there were four of us left now.
My main agenda? Find the mummy. I had seen enough movies to know that mummies were the ultimate attraction in any museum. But before we reached that, we explored the armor section (felt like warriors), the coin collection, and the jewelry section. And then, finally—the mummy! A real, actual, legit, ancient mummy.
“Dude, this thing has seen more history than all of us combined!” I whispered to Jagannath.
Masala Chowk – Where hunger met happiness
History is fascinating, but let’s be real—food is life. So we walked to Masala Chowk, a food court nearby, and feasted. I had a paneer roll and a spring roll. Jagannath, feeling adventurous, ordered a thali. But midway, he surrendered, and I had to step in like a true food savior.
Team collab time – Where marketing met dev (and some frustrations)
We rushed back to the hotel for our 3:30 PM session—Marketing and Dev teams sitting together, sorting out blockers, and fixing collaboration gaps. It was a healthy, much-needed discussion. Notes were taken, points were made, and we all agreed—communication can fix a lot of things.
We’ve got talent – And I’ve got stage fright
Now came THE MOST DREADFUL PART of the offsite— We’ve Got Talent. I, an introvert with a strong background in “avoiding social interaction,” was now forced into a talent show.
We were divided into four groups, and guess what? My group—”Gangs of Hawa Mahal”—decided that I should ACT in the fourth round. A guy who had never even raised his hand in class was now about to perform in front of 35+ people. Great.
After much debate, we settled on lip-syncing funny Bollywood dialogues. My inner self was screaming, but for the sake of my team, I did it. And, shockingly, I enjoyed it. Introvert Level: Unlocked.
Performances were amazing—Arpan sang “Jab Se Tere Naina,” Ritwik did a TedEx Talk, Tanvi sang “Tinka Tinka,” and IT Raja’s act had everyone in splits. My team came third, and I couldn’t care less—I had performed! That was a win for me.
Lucky draw: destiny had bigger plans
Post the talent show came the closing ceremony, prizes, and lucky draw session. My team won a crossword puzzle book—perfect, since I love those. Then came the lucky draw, where random chits were picked for prizes.
One by one, people kept winning stuff—bags, bottles, books. My number? Nowhere. Hope? Dying. And then, Nirav Sir announced the final, biggest prize—Noise Earbuds.
Someone picked a chit, and Gurvinder called out, “Roll number 27?”
For five whole seconds, my brain refused to process. And then it hit me—IT. WAS. ME. I screamed with excitement. The disappointment of not winning earlier? Gone. Destiny had bigger plans, and I walked away with brand-new earbuds!
One last dance – Quite literally
Excited, I ran to my room, changed, called my mom, and narrated the entire thing like a kid who just got 100/100 on a test. She was super happy, which made my win even better.
Since it was our last night at the Offsite, the party wasn’t over yet. The DJ was back at Kaafila Lounge. And guess what? This time, I danced. No hesitation, no overthinking—just pure joy. If Day 1 me had seen this, he wouldn’t have believed it.
Deep talks & late-night games
Post-DJ, I had a one-on-one chat with Mansi. From day one, I had admired her energy and work approach. We discussed marketing ideas, and she even gave me valuable suggestions, which, coming from a Dev team member, was really impressive.
Then, I noticed a group playing “Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza.” Intrigued, I joined them, and soon, we were all hooked. But when the hotel staff dimmed the rooftop lights, we still weren’t done. So we migrated to Nirav Sir’s room and continued playing late into the night.
It was late at night, but sleep? Nah, who needed that when Nirav Sir had another mind-blowing game up his sleeve? This time, it was Find the Werewolf—a game of deception, strategy, and accusing your friends of being secret monsters.
Around 15 of us huddled together, fully immersed in the game. The excitement, the suspense, the sheer betrayal when someone you trusted turned out to be the werewolf—it was next-level fun.
We were so hooked that we literally played till 5 AM. And since we were heading back home later that day, sleep was the last thing on our minds.
At 5:30 AM, I finally crashed onto my bed, only to wake up at 7:30 AM (why am I like this?). With just two hours of sleep, I somehow dragged myself out to get ready for breakfast.
The last few conversations & the final goodbyes
Breakfast was a bittersweet affair. We had our usual spread, but this time, the conversations were more reflective. I took the chance to have one-on-one chats with people I hadn’t interacted with much during the offsite.
It felt like those last few minutes of a school trip where you realize you might not see some people for a long time, so you make the most of it.
After breakfast, I headed back to my room to pack, but since my bags were already set (mental preparedness level: pro), I decided to just sit at the reception and wait for everyone.
And that’s when it hit me.
I was getting emotional.
Three days ago, I barely knew these people beyond their Slack usernames. And now? Now, I didn’t want to leave.
The irony was wild—before the offsite, I wondered how I’d manage without my people – Deepika and Andrea. But by the end of it, these were my people.
As I stood near the hotel exit, watching everyone hug and say their goodbyes, a very specific scene played in my head—the farewell scene from 3 Idiots. It felt exactly like that. I wanted to capture this moment forever.
One by one, people left. Some had flights, some had trains, and some were staying back a little longer. My train was scheduled for 1:30 PM, so I had a couple more hours to just sit there in the reception, soaking it all in.
A weird mix of emotions washed over me—sadness that it was over, happiness that it even happened.
Finally, I took the metro from Vivek Vihar to the railway station, reached on time, boarded my train, and returned home late at night.
And just like that, my first-ever offsite experience came to an end. But the memories? Oh, they’re staying forever!