One of the most exhilarating aspects of travel for me is not only exploring new destinations and taking a break from the routine but also the unexpected encounters with fascinating individuals whom I would never have had the chance to meet otherwise.
While strolling along the beaches of South Goa, the sight of a middle-aged man leisurely sipping beer and engrossed in a book is a relatively common one. However, the remarkable story behind his presence sets this man apart.
Allow me to introduce you to BOB – or at least, that’s what he is known as in Europe. Hanging from his bag are lanyards adorned with the name “BOB” – not just one or two, but five, all identical in color and design. At first glance, one might wonder about his apparent obsession with his name. But it wasn’t until I heard the tale behind it that my curiosity was piqued.
As it turns out, “BOB” isn’t the man’s given name; it’s a moniker bestowed upon him by the European Police Department. During the festive season encompassing Christmas and New Year, many revelers tend to overindulge in alcohol and subsequently venture out behind the wheel of a car. Unsurprisingly, this often results in traffic violations, hefty fines, and incarceration in more tragic cases. Some of us, myself included, may have found ourselves in such predicaments at least once.
However, in Paris, there exists a unique tradition. If you pass a breathalyzer test without registering any alcohol in your system, you are awarded a “BOB.” This was the badge of honor that BOB earned on five separate occasions during his three-year stay in Paris.
Today, BOB is a testament to living life to the fullest, and he proudly declares that his late 40s are the best years of his life. In his 30s, he toiled tirelessly as ground staff for a renowned airline, enduring grueling 12-hour shifts and daily commutes through relentless traffic, leaving him barely enough energy to kiss his wife goodnight – a sorry substitute for romance. During this ruthless struggle, BOB confronted a profound question: “Is it really worth it?”
The answer, echoing loudly from the depths of his heart, was a resounding “NO.” Compared to many of us who tend to suppress the inner voice yearning for change, BOB decided to heed its call. He boldly asserts, “My life wouldn’t be as fulfilling as it is today if I hadn’t made those changes.”
Presently, BOB divides his time, working six months a year with Jet Airways and dedicating the remainder to farming in the tranquil countryside of Barcelona alongside his wife and two beautiful children.
Meeting people with a clear sense of purpose always stirs a certain warmth within me. It’s not jealousy, but rather a deep-rooted happiness for their journey. It takes a special kind of determination to identify one’s aspirations and invest daily effort to inch closer to realizing them.
BOB had his priorities in order, steadfastly focusing on transforming his dream life into a tangible reality. Often, we become entangled in the mundane routine of commuting to work, grumbling about traffic, enduring hours at the office desk, griping about our bosses, and then repeating the cycle on the way back home.
In the worst-case scenario, some, like myself, even bring work back in their handbags, hoping to squeeze in one more email at the expense of precious moments that should be savored, such as basking in the winter afternoon sunlight or sipping coffee by the window – luxuries we frequently overlook.
Whether you term it a mid-life crisis or something else entirely, the question remains: When is “enough” truly enough? When do we reach that pivotal moment in life where we recognize that a change in our way of living is not just desirable but imperative? When do we extinguish that final cigarette and say, “No more, my lungs deserve better”?