As you said Borges, "the solution of the mystery is always less than the mystery therefore be brief.
I went to the elevator to go to my eighth meeting, this time with a school in Romania (whose location I was excited but whose work-with four children eight years filled me with dread). While waiting, I met again with Philip, "what?" He asked. I told him I had two offers "strong", UAE and Indonesia, asked his advice. "Emirates is very good place to work, but Indonesia is extraordinary, is one of the most prestigious schools, teachers are so coveted they say that after working in Jakarta can go to work anywhere." "Yes," I replied absently, dizzy in my own ramblings, without noticing too much on what he told me what I'm thinking. " "What are you thinking?" Retorted surprised, without that little tone and mocking irony that characterizes it, something happened ... "After I talked to them for an hour!". I looked at and understood. "That information was missing," I said and he did not understand anything. uttered "thanks" and walked away, lit.
with Romania was a friendly conversation about ... Emirates and Indonesia. Tammy, a charming and beautiful woman in the home stretch of their quarantine, I was greeted with much enthusiasm but immediately saw my face so that only women who are mothers can see and asked, "Have you offers that interest you, no?". I looked sorry and guilty, she smiled. I said yes and agreed that, with two proposals to teach in high school, the position she was in primary, was not ideal, "if I gave you an appointment but have no experience with children, was by your books Children and your recommendations, I liked. " From then on he told me of his experiences both in the Middle East and Asia, had over twenty years in the international schools circuit. I spoke of advantages and disadvantages, customs and traditions and, as if it were an old friend, I spent half an hour of your time (which in these circumstances is crucial) giving me all the advice imaginable to make my next life more bearable expatriate teacher.
What followed was a process, a tour of the hotel.
First, Korea, to tell the nice lady who was waiting there, who declined the appointment so graciously gave me because "I have accepted a job offer", then to Indonesia , to say "yes" (smiles, shaking hands, hugs, congratulations, welcome, "for now there is nothing to sign, we need only your word, tomorrow you will receive an email making it a formal offer, just answer and the process start "), and finally, to United.
Alan greeted me with that kindness so natural, so human with that gesture, it is impossible to be fascia. received the "no thanks" with the same calmness with which he spoke and said "so this business, do not worry." I asked about the new job, where it was, how good were the conditions and, after listening narrate the whole story, reflected: "It's hard to compete with that offer, if I were in your position would have taken the same decision." We parted as two friends who attend (and something tells me see him again.)
Everything else was predictable, the congratulations, laughter, greetings, good wishes, camaraderie among strangers who met here this weekend. I talked to Sally, who received happy news, as if it were his child, I spoke with Philip and Carol celebrated the new and congratulated me.
was Saturday night and the show ended for me.
Marc took a job in Thailand (so we'll see), Jessica is up to us to Poland (to choose among half a dozen very good deals), Gail will explore the Middle East in a Maki school in Dubai and decided to stay another year in Mexico. Of the other knew that Judy decided to Brazil and was chasing Randall position in Argentina. The interesting Cuban never saw her again.
On Sunday morning I left for the airport. still owe them a long visit to Nicolas, Paco, Simon and Varun, Stephanie and Catherine, my former students, my friends now, how well I did and with whom I spent those nights eating hamburgers and talking endlessly, so the fierce cold warmth of Boston seemed to fall apart.
Now I'm here in the Federal District that looks more cloudy since I know that I'm, like I say "stay" as if the streets me invited to continue walking as if his offer me one last coffee cappuccino, as if the meter promised to take new routes to new stations and new destinations, as if it were possible to get a life here, remake, complete, find the lost path I same. But Caesar said, "the die is cast" and throw me to this new challenge, excited and curious, as the child I was, like the child I am, sometimes, when it rains in the afternoons, when she smiles a woman, when a bird sings, when a man cries, when the sun and moon are at the same time. I figure since coming to my new room with the same emotion that I entered my first class, Mary Grace, my first former student, whom I love so much does not let me lie.
The ships burn in the bank, the past is a lot of memories (sometimes hot, sometimes cruel, but necessary) and I am not of those who stand and wait for the salvation or death come from the sky. I keep walking and if the old gods want, the next tread on July 25, even with thirty-eight, Jakarta, Indonesia, Asia, and begin, once again, another day.
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