Ever wanted to just quit your job and travel?

Seven years ago, I arrived with a goal, a backpack, and not much else. I had taken a sabbatical from my profession in Human Resources and had made the unconventional decision to backpack South-East Asia and have a side trip to Nepal to trek to Everest Base Camp. It was a lofty goal. I had not trained for the expedition. I had not booked a tour. I had one night’s accommodation with an airport transfer included for the bargain price of $13 AUD and I was ill-prepared for the chaos that is Kathmandu Airport. Nevertheless, I managed to track down Ramesh, who was proudly holding some corrugated cardboard displaying my name from across the road and had a grin from ear to ear when he realised he had found his client.

As is to be expected when travelling in a developing country, Ramesh had a friend who owned a restaurant, one who owned a trekking store, and most importantly, a friend who was the best travel travel agent in Thamel - which was an amazing feat as there were over 1000 in the hectic bustle of Thamel’s tourist area. Unsurprisingly, he was eager to introduce them to his newest client. Before I knew it, I was flying into Lukla, the most dangerous airport in the world with my seemingly ill-equipped, yet very good looking Sherpa, and an assurance that after the air crash investigations the baggage handlers no longer overloaded the 20 seater planes.

After surviving the landing, we stopped for some breakfast, met up with a couple from Texas, who would follow us for the journey. My Sherpa repacked his backpack into mine (so he would only have to carry one bag, although it seemed overly familiar to me) and I was introduced to the slow pace of the trekking life, breakfast took 2 hours. Once we finally set off, I was keen to show my fitness. I took off from Lukla at a pace which my guide was surprised by given my short stature. We arrived in Pakding where we were to spend our first night very ahead of schedule and we had some time to fill in. It was becoming abundantly clear that this Sherpa, whose name continued to escape me, was interested in more than just taking me on a trek through the Himalayas, and after convincing me to partake in some rice wine after our delicious evening meal, we began a holiday romance that would impress any Mills and Boon novelist.

Along with the Texans, we were joined by an Australian couple, an Australian man and a Canadian girl and their two Sherpas for most of the trip (who thought it was odd that my Sherpa and I were happy to bunk in the same room but were too polite to mention it) and we all reached Everest Base Camp unscathed. We did not however arrive back to the hustle of Kathmandu as the same people. That trip taught us all the value of patience (you can’t hurry a Sherpa), kindness (looking out for everyone on the trekking trail) and appreciating living in the moment. We marvelled at how those who had so little in the foothills of Sagarmatha (Nepali word for Mt Everest) were happier than any of the people from our rich homelands. In particular, I learnt how to enjoy the unexpected, let go of preconceived ideas and appreciate the splendour in each breath I took along that trek (although some were more difficult than others). I also got the best gift of all, that good looking Sherpa is now my husband. His name is Gobinda and his presence in my life reminds me every day to be patient and kind and to let go of the hurried lifestyle that is so easy to slip into in Australia and appreciate every breath.

So why pray tell am I sharing this story with you...it is a bit more personal than my usual blogs! It is because I am reflecting, in those seven years, a lot has happened. My Sherpa is now an Australian, I have helped him navigate the AUstralian workplace, I have experienced and learnt a lot about?workplace bullying and?harassment, I have added to my insights about workplace culture, made the bold decision to start my own practice focusing on employee engagement and I have written a book that combines my knowledge of workplaces with what my Sherpa has taught me. I have just launched pre- orders for those in my loyal tribe!??Please click below and I am giving away a couple of bonuses for you early birds!