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Left a dream job--booked a dream trip to begin the healing process--Haven't had many in the way of "real" vacations over the years; usually having to do at least some work each day.
After years of working with adults with developmental disabilities, most recently organizing outdoor adventures from waterfall and coast hikes, to local parks,and festivals, I left because new owners' vision meant dismantling what I'd worked hard to build, and it would've crushed me. It wasn't easy to go, but I'm proud of what I accomplished. People frequently say that it's really selfless to work with this population. on the contrary, I 've found reserves of patience and kindness that isn't always acccessible when I'm dealing with the public at large. ;-)
Simply put, working in this field has made me a better person.
If you know me, you know I've worn a lot of hats:
- Working in kitchens from summer camps to VIP events of 600 people.
- Knocking on doors to raise environmental awareness.
- Behind the desk of a college dorm, local YMCA or Veterinary hospital
- Running a coffee shop that became a hub for music, poetry, and communiity events, (even if I was too generous to make a profit.)
- Catering thousands of weddings, funerals, business meetings and conferences, maintaining a cool demeanor even in the face of equipment breakdown, extra guests or unnounced vegans.
- Always putting people over profits, often at my own expense.
Leaving this job was a shock as I expected to retire there, but leaving has had me doing all the practical things: cutting subscriptions, making big pots of beans, and otherwise cutting costs. But I also did one impulsive thing and charged a ticket to Europe for three weeks.
Being mostly Portuguese, I've got a lot of my grandmother's souvenirs from her trips, and have wanted to go since I was little.
I've dreamed of going to Spain since I studied its history and culture 30 years ago and was fascinated. Specifically, the architecture of Gaudi on display at Barcelona's Sagrada Familia cathedral is a lifetime bucket list item for me.
And Prague is home to a good friend and is the subject of a more recent fascination. a stunning city, with a fascinating culture.
....A friend suggested I put this out there. If you've found me to be a hard, ethical worker- Or just think I need to relax a little-here's your chance to subsidize:
~A Pils in Prague
~ Some Tapas in Toledo
~Linguica in LIsbon
Any contribution helps to make this once-in-a-lifetime trip possible. If I tagged you, you can boost this post by leaving a comment with how we met or what I was doing when we met. (I left out a few iterations!)
Thank you for reading, for your support, and for being part of my journey--in work, in life, and hopefully soon in Europe, even if only virtually!
Organizer
MARK DUBOIS
Organizer
Corvallis, OR