Job Discussion Forums

expatben · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:58 am Post subject:

In the 4 countries where I have breifly taught I would say the UK has been my favourite.

angrysoba · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 446 Location: Kansai, Japan

Interesting choice of countries, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Aren't they all supposed to be the same country?

joesgonnago · Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 25 Location: Yueqing, China

MEXICO for me, hands down.

but let me explain....I was 14 and on vacation with my twin brother, older sister, and Mom in Panama City Beach, Florida. It was the end of spring break for college kids and the neatest thing I had experienced in my decade and change. The were a few topless girls seen within 1 hour of arriving at the hotel. The first night, I was allowed to order 'Chicken with beer' - a sauteed dish I haven't had since, but anyway. We were shopping for t-shirts and was given the card of a man that gave tours in Mata Morsa (sp?), just south of the border.
His name was Patrick and he pulled up in a van. Not the kind with a disco ball and mattress, but one with these cool captain chairs and a cooler of Coronas. Patrick said that the Coronas were part of the package. One hundred dollars would get us the 'good' places to shop, some knowledge of local history and buildings, dinner at a authentic spot, and now FREE BEER.

It just so happened that my Mom was a Bible thumper and always tried to be a good example for the 3 of us. She did partake of the spirts, but only at social occassions like weddings. Anyway, before we left the hotel parking lot Patrick asked if anyone wanted a job. I immediatly said yes and was hustled into the co-pilot position. Now, I don't know if you grew up with siblings or not but the front seated is coveted and has POWER. My basic instuctions were to shuttle all purchases back to the van (banditos could get ya if you carried a lot of bags and looked rico), help parking the big machine, and fetching the beers. Oh yeah, Patrick sipped the beloved beverage from start to finish.

After shopping FOREVER and buying all that was shown to us, we arrived at the restuarant. We ordered a ton of food and us kids got to wash it down with bottled sodas written in spanish. My Mom got talked into chasing hers with....you guessed it, Corona! When in Rome. Needless to say, she had 2 and that was enough to insure a nap on the way home. Patrick looked in the rear view mirror a couple of times and said, "Get a beer." So I got into the cooler, popped the top, and handed it to him. He told me that it was mine and that I worked hard and earned it. I felt a chill go over me, could this be really happening? I tasted it and did not like it. But sh*t, it was my reward and my first beer ever so I drank up.

When we arrived at the hotel we piled out and removed all our purchases, I was handed a $20 bill. Patrick said that if anybody asked to please recommend him. He was off in a heartbeat. It was right then when I realized that one day I could be a Patrick. To move away from home, learn a foriegn language, and make a LITTLE money.