I left a house, a business and a husband back in Morocco. I quit the five different jobs I was doing to support the house, the business and the husband because I was very, very weary. Everything seemed so difficult and eventually I realized the hardest part of my life was the part where I was working for someone else's dream. It had to stop.
I enjoyed being a teacher, a belly dance instructor and the editor of Cafe Clock's blog. But I didn't enjoy being responsible for the constant renovations and upkeep the house required. I liked meeting the tourists who stayed in my house (which is also a bed & breakfast) and I enjoyed the income their stays provided, but I was worn down by the strain of keeping the house 'inspection ready' and changing out the rooms by myself.
I left Morocco with a large portion of my savings invested in the house and the bed & breakfast business. I sold jewelry, clothing, furniture, books and DVDs to finance my exodus. I packed up all the textiles I could and arranged to ship them to the U.S. for sale later. I left on a wing and a prayer that I could begin once again.
I'm almost 60 years old now and Act IV, in my crazy, chaotic and one-of-a-kind life is underway.
Dear Evelyn,
ReplyDeleteAs odd as this will sound, we have some similar experiences, and yet vastly different ways in which we lived these experiences although all having to do with Morocco. I love your writing, it really spoke to me of my trials and tribulations. I am turning 60 myself this year, and am feeling more at peace with my decisions and the new direction my life is going, as you said "chaotic and one-of-a-kind life" but I embrace it fully! Good luck with all you do. Live well and be happy.
Evelyn, you're so brave, I imagine how painful it must have been to leave your beautiful riad in the medina. I wish you all the luck in the world in your new search.
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