31 by 31

Intriguing?

Well, meet Shar, short for Sharmila. It's what came out of an interesting breakfast meet with her this morning.  As intro I would say she's an avid 'foodie'......and today I learnt, an equally avid traveller. 

The '31 by 31' is her goal of visiting 31 countries by the time she's 31 years of age.

Shar was a teammate from Google, who I was meeting after five years. While we haven't been saying 'hey' through the five years, she was sweet enough to come say 'bye' before she moved onto Singapore, for her next stint with Google. 

We had a high five moment when she said she'd done a solo trip to Cambodia recently, and how what started as 30 by 30, has now been reset to 31 by 31.

It took me straight back to some intense and interesting conversations we used to have in Google. I recall one such, on an offsite in Srilanka, a couple drinks into the evening, when she sat me down on the beach and said 'let's talk about my quarter life crisis'.

Though I started with a sceptical, "what! what on earth is a quarter life crisis?!? " she was unfazed, and gave me a credible and fascinating explanation. One that set off a conversation which slowly drew in a larger group, and went on into the wee hours of the morning.

The '31 by 31' did that today, and went something like this:

Me: Wow, 30 countries done, that's amazing Shar.

Shar: Not really, so many people have done it.

Me: No, No....Google isn't the world, or fair sample you know. Plus, you don't have to be a Tenzing Norgay to feel good about climbing the Everest right?

In fact, tell people like me, tell me, and you'll see how wow it is. I for one haven't met anyone who's looking at '31 by 31' or for that matter even done 30 countries, leave alone this young. It is a big deal.

So tell me how Cambodia happened.

Shar: Well, I was browsing for what to do over a long weekend, and I saw this great flight deal, real cheap tickets to Cambodia, and I just booked.

Me: Wow, so spur of the moment huh. Is that how it normally goes? How do you typically plan your travel? 

Shar: Food........ It's all about food. I'll first research about the food of the place, places to eat local cuisine, places to drink, and my itinerary revolves around that. 

If I get time in between is when I'll go see places of interest. Like if there's a pretty palace, I'll try and make time for it, in between, if possible. Like with Ankor Vat, I had to sacrifice food, but otherwise the plan revolves around what's good for breakfast, and then for lunch and then for drinks & dinner.

Me: What did you eat in Cambodia? Bigger still,  how was solo travel for you?

Shar: Hmm...I had snail. And chicken heart, but not in Cambodia.

Solo was nice. The only time I missed having company was when I had to order food. I could order only so much, as I was alone. 

(And after a little while I heard her say.......) 

"And yesss, I learnt something about myself in Cambodia. I learnt that I enjoyed my own company"

Me: A bigger wow ....that's an amazing awareness to have Shar, wonderful that the trip gave you that. Tell me some of your other experiences...let's start with what other countries you've been to.

Shar: Let's see. I've done Spain, Holland, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Vietnam, Turkey, Ireland, UK, Scotland, US, Singapore, Malaysia, Mexico.......

We sadly got interrupted then. I could have gone on longer, but we had to abruptly close.

Shar, way to go girl, so proud of you ! Don't you let the fact that others have done it take away from your own accomplishment. It's huuuggee !!

Thanks for the Roastery Coffee treat today. Loved it. Our last meeting was another farewell, mine when I left Google.....over your yummy bruschettas, roasted chicken, and velvet cupcakes at your place. Hope it won't take yet another farewell to meet next :)