Veronique Meunier

Turning 30. I kept hearing it meant being settled, finally enjoying some money and a comfortable situation, and having a harder time loosing extra pounds. When it happened to me, I was in a middle of a separation, alone in a unknown city and a (yet again) new country, with a new job that paid enough to sub-let a room like when I was 18. So, for the settled comfortable situation, please come again (the loosing weight bit is true, though).

But weirdly, I was about to start having the time of my life. "When you don't have what you like, try to like what you have" is the piece of wisdom I found in a Christmas chocolate candy that year. And so I did. My low-paid interim job was amazingly interesting - providing consulting for Tourism Concern, a London-based NGO fighting for the respect of human rights in tourism. I have a background in marketing, journalism, and promoting sustainable tourism (you'll see my trace in he US, Wales, England and now India, but originally I'm French.) The future was mine to play with, so I took a bit board and started writing what I'd fancy doing. Travelling came on top, and continuing my line of work.

When Tourism Concern's partners in India, Kabani, said they needed help with a mapping project in India, I grabbed the chance. My task here is to implement and promote an interactive map on which everyone can see tourism-induced issues currently happening in Southern India. That means, my friends, meeting communities around two indian States, sharing their concerns or their joys, and reporting them to you.

I'm still unpaid, but why would I need it when I've already got the life? 

Oh - and for the extra pounds, I'd recommand wearing a saree; flattering and sexy.