Job Discussion Forums

[halif]

After a few years of English teaching in Asia, I sometimes find myself daydreaming about a beautiful country that isn't overpopulated, has plenty of greenery in its cities and well preserved national parks, is safe, has open-minded local people, a currency that is respectable by world standards, has clean air and drinking water AND a demand for English teachers. Most of all, this mythical country would be a place where I truly feel 'at home'. It would just feel right to be there.

Why are you laughing?

OK, so that's my dream. I know it isn't realistic.

Actually, I'm not too unhappy where I am now, but I keep wondering about what paradisical places are out there and which one is the right one for me. I haven't found a place that really feels like home yet - including my own country (which actually has a fair number of the things I mentioned - parks, clean air, not overpopulated - at the start of the post).

I know everyone has a different idea of what constitutes a great place to live and that brings me to my point of inquiry. I'd like to hear from people out there in the wide world who have found their Shangri-la (not the hotel), their utopia, their super special happy place. What makes it so special for you? How long have you been there? Do you plan to stay there for the rest of your life? And....where is it?!

[Boy Wonder]

Holborn London Underground station on the Central and Piccadilly line.
You can stay there for hours..no-one bothers you and its lovely and warm and bright.
They even have Chocolate dispensing machines selling Crunchie Bars for 50p.

[Guy Courchesne]

La Costa Chica, just outside Acapulco, Mexico. Put up your hammock, leave a basket under the mango tree, and fish your dinner out of the drink every night. No currency needed at all. Teach English to the coconuts when they drop in.

[GabeKessel]

Sounds like either some place in Polar Latin America- Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, or possibly somewhere in Eastern Europe- the Czech republic? Hungary? If you are a EU citizen, then why not Western Europe?

[denise]

I`ve learned to stop hoping for such a thing. For me, the best place is a mixture of all of the good things of all of the places I have lived so far.

d

[ls650]

I'd say much of Mexico outside of DF - except for the respectable currency part.

[Will.]

MY BED!!!!!!!!!!!

[Will.]

No, seriously........ dreams are best in bed.

the reality of teaching is that some of us are at home wherever we teach, others just dream of finding the perfect wave..sorry school...country..bed. If you can't make where you're at you won't make it anywhere else.... exceptions being made for those of us on ....y contracts in ...y schools in .....y countries where the cut of the cards has dealt you a b..u..m hand.
it is always greener elsewhere.

[khmerhit]

Do you know Quebec? It has all of the above, plus they need teachers. Otherwise there is Australia, but I would not recommend it as it is full of Australians.

[Jizzo T. Clown]

Arkansas, USA:

isn't overpopulated--check
is safe--check
has open-minded local people--this is stretching it a bit.
a currency that is respectable by world standards--USD
has clean air and drinking water--check
a demand for English teachers--believe it or not, check!

[maya.the.bee]

following jizzo...

pdx

over populated: maybe, but you can't tell 'cause its usually raining
safe: oh yeah, did i mention the rain that keeps everyone inside?
open-minded: the pacific-nw coast (or central coast for non-usa'ers) is wide open
currency: yeah, its good
air/water: cleaned daily, doesn't get better than this
ELT: its a port city w/good social services
greenery: its the city of roses! flowers bloom yearround, you want green-33 days of constant rain will get it. one day of sun, back to rain

okay, maybe i over estimate the rain, but it is a nice place to be stateside.

[halif]

Lot's of interesting things here. Mexico does indeed sound like a good place to be - especially after reading Guy's description. I've often thought to myself how nice it would be to teach coconuts by the sea instead of in a classroom - you know, for a change and all.

Will - I agree with the "it is always greener elsewhere" comment. I have often had to pinch myself (as punishment) for longing after some of the things I have left behind. Whether it was a certain cafe, park, some food or drink, the attitude of the locals, friends, or whatever, it's true that 'you don't know what you've got until it's gone'.

I think to myself "I shouldn't have left... why did I leave THERE to come HERE!". Then it's time for a pinching.

Having said that, there's no point getting too sentimental over things. They are just cafes, parks, foods and drinks, attitudes, friends and whatevers. If I loved them so much I could just go back, right? They can't have been that great if I left them.

One day, I will find a place that just clicks and I'll never leave it. It might be Arkansas, my bed or Holborn London underground station. It might be a place with coconuts or Crunchie bars for 50p. But until that day, I'll continue to dream and keep my ears open to other people's hints and tips. Thanks (and keep 'em coming).

[Sweetsee]

Very nice Halif. I have enjoyed reading your thread and look forward to hearing about other places. I especially like what Will said and I go along with the idea that we can keep all the great places we have experienced in our minds and our demeanor reflects it, where ever our bodies are.


Smile,
s

[Serious_Fun]

I second "maya.the.bee" re: what PDX has to offer....

Portland is certainly my favorite place in the "united" states.... But I see a 3-way-draw with:

Montevideo, Uruguay
Haarlem, Netherlands
Kending, Taiwan

[Sweetsee]

Hi SF,

Would that be Kenting ParK at the southern tip of Taiwan,
an hour from Kaochung?


Warm regards,
s