Wait it is Saturday why am I getting a post from this guy today??? I know I normally don’t post on Saturday’s, but today I had too. I like keeping my blog 2 weeks behind. It gives me time to process things and get post up with out rushing. However what’s running through my mind right now I can’t hold for two weeks. If you follow my blog page on Facebook you know the news already… but now I just need a place to vent… I need to talk to someone… I need to throw up… I need to cry… I don’t know what I need.
So about a week ago… I started looking for JOBS in Cairo. I know crazy right… but well y’all know the story. From the moment I arrived to Egypt I went on a date through the streets of Cairo with an amazing guy and over the course of 1.5 months we fell in love. I am now in India and planned to return for about 3 months. Now however I think I want to stay longer (or forever) and be with him. I will get too what’s on my mind in just a minute. The thing is I told myself from the start of my trip that if at any point I decide to live anywhere I must find a JOB that allows me to sustain myself in that city. I don’t want to use any of my savings to live in a different city. I just don’t want to and I know to some that may sound crazy, but I won’t. So I did what I had to do and applied for a job.
Now I have a million things running through my mind…
I know I love him… but I also love travel.
A part of me wants to live in Egypt… a part of me doesn’t.
A part of me knows I can do this… a part of me doesn’t.
A part of me thinks this will be hard… a part of me doesn’t.
A part of me knows I am doing the right thing… a part of me doesn’t.
What if the pay is horrible?
Living in a country or city you love is going to be very different than just visiting it.
What about the revolution that is still happening?
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Gosh I could seriously go on with all the questions and thoughts I have. Oh & the questions & thoughts I listed don’t even cover a million others I have about my family and friends and Houston. I just can’t stop thinking about it… and too top it off I have kept starring at the email I posted above for a long time. Oh & you wanna know the worst part that I don’t even want to mention, but must because everyone wants to know where I have applied too. It’s to a CALL CENTER for a cell phone company. Go ahead and just crack up laughing now… I would too if I read this. If you didn’t know… yup I left a CALL CENTER job to travel the world. I listed it on things I wasn’t going to miss and even wrote a post about the shit my customers would say. Oh the irony of me now applying for the same kind of job in a different country.
Oh well you know what so I applied for the job and now I just wait and see what happens next. I will take it step by step… in the end I know I have nothing to loose. If this doesn’t work out I can search for others when I arrive in Cairo. Hell and even if i get this I don’t have to accept it. In the end I am doing what my blog is all about “taking chances, taking risk, making a change & breaking away”… in this case breaking back…lol. I know nothing I am doing is permanent and if at any point I am not happy I could hit the road again or just go home. So I guess we’ll all just have to wait and see what happens because I have no damn clue.
Had you told me at the start of this trip (14 months ago) I would be in love with an Egyptian and contemplating the idea of working & living there I would have thought you were crazy. Life is one crazy roller coaster and well I’m taking all the crazy turns it brings my way. Ugh I want to say so much more, but I know most of it won’t make sense so I will just shut up and end the post here. I would though love to hear what you think about this or you could tell me if you believe in Aliens or not. Either is fine.
THAT’s some big news. Yes, you are definitely living up to the “take a risk” promise 🙂
Kent @ No Vacation Required recently posted..Driving in Europe = We’re Idiots
Oh yes Kent this is HUGE news. I haven’t even told my family or friends…lol. Well I am going to take this risk and see what happens.
I understand! I moved to Australia for a boy. I also wanted to travel, but once I found a job there I got comfortable. Eventually I wanted to go traveling and I knew I wasn’t ready to settle down. I’m one of those people that says go for it and if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. But at least you know all the risks and the worst case scenario going in.
Caroline in the City recently posted..Photo Friday: Decatur, GA
Caroline, thank you so much for sharing a bit of your experience doing something similar. I am glad I am not alone in doing something like this. That is what I am afraid of not being ready to settle down, but I know I won’t know until I try it. So I am going to go for it & see what happens.
Just wait and see…if it works out and you get the job, try it out. The worst thing that can happen is you quit and keep traveling, right?
As for Aliens, I do **hope** that there is Intelligent Life on other planets. Space is awfully big, Earth is awfully small (relatively speaking), and it would be terribly lonely to think we’re the only ones out there. I recently watched the movie “Contact” starring Jodie Foster again. Such a good movie. I can recommend it! 🙂
Thanks Camella, that is what I have to do… instead of worrying so much need to wait and see how it goes.
Oh & I agree with you 100% about Aliens. I mean they are out there. I will have to check that movie out.
You ALWAYS have to follow your heart!!!!! Fingers crossed you get the job!
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures recently posted..Andi’s Pick: La Suite Rio
You are right Andi & I am going to do that. Thanks!
You almost have to apply for the job, I think. If you get it, you can accept or turn it down. But if you don’t apply, you can’t do either 🙂
You’ve had an experience-rich year and bigger life-changing experiences could be just around the corner. You captured it perfectly above – there are things to be excited about but also overwhelmed with! There is a lot of uncertainty before you, and that tends to bring a mixed bag of excitement and apprehension.
“Just keep swimming” — you’ll be alright *HUG*
And I may have believed in aliens while I was younger but I don’t think I do anymore.
Heather recently posted..Chasing the dream job: Blogging, food, phototgraphy
Thanks Heather… yes a year or two in Egypt would be such an amazing experience. It was something I didn’t plan, but would be amazing. You are right you spent a year living & working in Australia and had a experience-rich year. I am glad I applied for the job & well now will wait & see what happens. Have so much uncertainty before me but I will just keep swimming. *HUG BACK*
Oh & you should stil believe in Aliens… they are out there!!! At least I think so.
Just because you applied for a job doesn’t mean you have to stop travelling. Life never turns out how we plan it to and you know what? I have found that the best thing to do is follow my heart rather than my head. That way, even if things go awry, you know that you won’t have any regrets. If your gut tells you you should be with your boy in Cairo, then you should do whatever it takes to make it work. And if it all goes wrong, you can just pick up and start travelling again. Life is simple, but love is complicated 😉
Julia recently posted..Graffiti Street Art in Melaka
So true Julia, because I applied for the job doesn’t mean I have to stop traveling. It is until I accept it that I do jaja. Ahh life is such a mystery… it really never does turn out how we plan it, but following my heart is the best thing to do. My gut really tells me to stay in Cairo with him, but the rest of me gets so scared. I mean it reality nothing is permanent so if things go wrong I move along.
Love this “Life is simpel, but love is complicated” – so true!!!
Jaimie, I think it’s a good idea to take this job if you get it or another job in Cairo if you don’t. Opporutnities to love and be loved don’t come around all that often, and if you don’t nurture this maybe it will evaporate. Giving up traveling, living in Egypt for a while and all of the other reasons you list for not going for it are temporary, really. You can always start traveling again, you can always leave the job and move out of Egypt, you can always find a better-paying job. What you won’t be able to find again is this guy.
Sabina recently posted..The Oddest, Coolest Restaurant on Earth – The Genesis Pub in Luxor, Egypt
Love your advice Sabina… I don’t want this to evaporate at all. I want to make things work and know I am doing the right thing by at least applying for a job & giving my self an opportunity to try it out.
I’ve had a couple serious relationships while abroad and I’ve learned that Tennyson had it right — it’s better to have loved and lost than never loved at all. The world will always be out there to see but this guy might not be! Take a chance on Cairo — after all, Egypt’s still quite an exciting place to be!
Edna recently posted..8 reasons to visit the Guinness Storehouse
Ahh the famous quote… so cliche yet so damn true. Thank you Edna, the world will always be out there, but he may not. I am taking a chance on everything. Oh & yes Egypt is a very exciting place to be. I love it!
I say go for it! Who knows, maybe it will work out for the best, and you will have a traveling companion, as well as someone to love! Like others have said, if it turns out that it isn’t working out, you can always leave. The world will always be there, and now you would be that much closer to the rest of it. I hope that you make the decision that makes you happy though. I have loved following along with your adventures, and this would be one that I would say you can’t turn down. But ultimately the decision is your to make, it is your life. I think that this would definitely have to be a yes from me though! 🙂 Good luck!
So true Mitchell… it would be amazing to have a travel companion even though I am not sure he would love that idea. In the end I know I will make the decision that makes me happy. I must give this a try because it is what I want to do even though I am scared as hell. Thanks for commenting and for following my adventure I am glad I have the approval from my readers. I was scared to see peoples reactions, but so far all good. Oh & if I do end up staying in Egypt I will continue blogging. I have so much to share…
Jaime Edna siad everything I wanted to say. Actually I might also take her advice myself.
Paula recently posted..New Themes: Everyday and Origin
Well I am glad I’m not the only one taking other peoples advice…lol. Are you going through something similar Paula?
Exciting news! I went back to Israel after backpacking in India to be with a boy. Having a job, if you do, is probably a good idea.
I agree with most of the advice below. Give it a shot and see what happens. Good luck!
Adam recently posted..Within walking distance of Alexanderplatz
I know you had a BF in Israel, but didn’t know you went back to him after India. I wanna know more…lol. I will have to message you. I am going to give it a shot for sure. Thanks Adam.
First step taken… applying for it. Now, just do what you feel most comfortable with. I’d say take the chance if you feel like doing it. The worst thing would be saying to yourself that it is not for you, and move on to other things… 🙂
Norbert recently posted..If I Were an Ancient Egyptian Architect
Thanks Norbert… I did take the 1st step and it’s done. I am doing what I think is right and what I feel comfortable with that is for sure. Thanks for the advice. I am so happy you were able to meet him while you were in Cairo.
Good luck with the job! I had a similar thing happen: I fell in love with an Iranian guy. I lived with him in Malaysia for a while, but we eventually decided to move to the US together (because an Iranian passport is almost worthless!) We are married and living in Minnesota now, but I hope someday I can travel again. I agree with everyone else who says take this chance! 🙂
Élan recently posted..I do, therefore I am
Oh wow… that is crazy, but yeah I understand completely. It must have been hard for him to move to the US with Iranian passport. I am happy for yall though that is amazing yall are living together in the US. I hope you too get back on the road soon. That is something I am so scared of… but won’t go into it cus I will go on & on.
Getting a job (even a hilarious call center job) in another country is still an adventure. Traveling in a country and living there as an expat are completely different things. Good different and bad different. But if you really feel like getting a job there and being with him is the right thing to do, you have to go for it. Why not apply for an English teaching job? You enjoyed teaching in India. I like that you don’t plan on touching your savings if you end up living in Cairo. It gives you a good cushion in case you do decide to go back out traveling after awhile.
If possible, you might want to wait until you find out if you get the job and after you decide to take it to tell your parents. No reason to freak them out before you know what you’re doing.
Good luck with all of it and keep me posted!
Ali recently posted..Difficult Travel Experiences in Southeast Asia
Just go with it, if it’s awful you can leave but at least you went for it. Besides it’s not like travel ends in your 20s. I’m about to turn 35 and still doing it!
Ayngelina recently posted..Aloha Molokai
Thanks Ayngelina that is all true. Oh & I know travel doesn’t end at your twenties… So many bloggers are in their 30s or even older.
I believe in aliens and love.. not in that order
BEST COMMENT EVER!!! Thanks Alma.
I moved to London to be with a boy… Do it! Travel will always be there and you are young! The expat experience is just as fulfulling as the backpacking experience- I should know! 😉
Oneika the Traveller recently posted..Running with the bulls in Spain: How we’re preparing!
Thanks Oneika, ahh must have been so hard though? No? You are right about the expat experience though…
Hello, I’m a new reader! I honestly believe that when it comes to love, you have to follow your heart. I really hope things work out for you. Safe travels 🙂
Hi Estrella, glad to hear from a new reader. Hope you enjoy the crazy ride & stay for a while… I agree with what you say and am going to do just that. Follow my heart.
lol hell yeah i’m cracking up laughing at you applying for a call center job! but at least you have skills you can use…”betty” lmao Jaime, I think you are doing the right thing in falling your heart. A lot of times we do things for money or to make someone else happy, but right now you have the opportunity to be in love & happy based on your decisions. And yes, I knew you would find love while on this journey…I know you remember me telling you.
Good luck with the job search. I miss you but reading this just assures me that you are doing well and your love is taking care of you.
xoxo
QueenB
You fucking would be LOL-ing. Yeah I know I have to skills for it so applied and I know betty jaja if they have the same phones…jk. If I did get it I would take it serious. Thanks for all the words… awww I miss you Brain!!!
This is great Jaime! Any updates on the status of this job since you last applied?
Harrison recently posted..Traveling Through Central America
Thanks Harrison, as for the job… I haven’t heard anything from them, so don’t think I got it. It’s okay I’ll figure out what to do once I am there.
Hello – I hope this finds you well. I stumbled on your blog site after looking for updated information about being gay in Cairo. I find your story remarkable and very positive. I am in my late 30s, and have been travveling (first trip ever for me was to Mexico in 1992) ever since. I now work for the UN in South Sudan (the world’s newest country), and will be coming to Cairo next month for some dental work. I studied at AUC back in 1998, and have been back a few times since then. Cairo envelops you…its noisy, crowded, dusty…but it takes you in and leaves its mark. If you and your mate are going to be there; it would be great to meet you both over a coffee/shisha.
Hi Hakeem, glad you stumbled upon my blog. I agree with you about Cairo… it just does that to you. I will be arriving in Cairo in about a week… it would be amazing to meet up. Send me an email through my contact me page & we can make plans from there. Are you still in South Sudan? Would be awesome to chat, one of my dream trips is to travel from Cairo to Cape Town over land.