How did I end up living in Northern Africa? This is an excellent question. Have I had a lifelong love of Morrocan art and culture? No. Was it part of a carefully planned plan where I took into consideration my professional goals and where I will be in 5 and 10 years? No (and obviously I don't really know where I will be in 5 and 10 years, but I'd be thrilled if I found myself retired in Miami which I'm afraid my aversion to dating sickly senior citizens will sadly prevent). Was I offered such an amazing amount of money that I was unable to turn it down? Again, no.
It happened kind of suddenly. I found out in early May that my position was being cut for the fall. I began frantically looking for a job. There might have been a lesson in there somewhere about the pitfalls of not having a robust savings account, but I cannot for the life of me figure out what it might be. The first interview I had was for a middle school in Hunts Point, a neighborhood in The Bronx. Now I'm sure it is way better up there than when HBO's documentary "Hookers at The Point" was filmed there in the early 2000s, but the documentary really made it look like a bummer place. I imagined myself having to leave my house at 6am on dark, cold mornings to get up The Bronx to teach middle school, which is terrifying under the best of circumstances, only to have to hurry to the subway after the last bell rang as ladies of the evening headed out to offer BJs and other sundry services at shockingly and depressingly low prices.
I had a few more interviews at schools that were equally far away and in almost as unappealing neighborhoods. This is when I decided to open up my job search. Teaching school is hard enough. Was I really supposed to do this without the possibility of grabbing some sushi or Pad Thai at lunch or sipping on a $9 smoothie all of which are readily available in Greenpoint? This felt insane. During any given day as a public high school teacher in NYC I have had to listen sympathetically as students tell me about their recent abortions, arrests, deaths of loved ones, and sex tape releases. I just didn't think I could do this without good snacks readily available.
So, I began to apply to every international school position I saw posted. I interviewed for a position in Morocco and they offered it to me. I asked myself if I would rather work in Hunts Point than in Casablanca. My first thought was "hell no". I then went to go see John Wick 3 and Keanu Reeves travels to Casablanca to meet Halle Berry. I figured if this wasn't the universe sending me an obvious sign what was??? I mean, I really love Keanu Reeves. And then there was the movie Casablanca. All of a sudden this possibility had begun to feel kinda cinematic.
Besides, I'm single so I have some time on my hands and nobody to send to college. At times some people tell me its time to settle down. However, I'm not sure who they are suggesting I settle down with. Myself? Would spending more time at home watching Netflix be a sign of maturity? Should I try to spend more time saving for my old age as the world starts to burn down? It doesn't feel like it. Besides, riding a camel through the Sahara felt a little more appealing than pretending to internet date in Brooklyn. Was I right? I have no idea. I guess I'll find out. Besides, I haven't ruled out that my current adventure will simply teach me I have actually become a New Yorker despite my fantasy of finding a place that is less expensive. The city can be a real challenge for those who lack ambition such as myself. Maybe someone can Suzie Orman me while I'm away?
