Part Two: Beyond The Rut I

 There comes a moment when life's struggles become so intense, you find yourself utterly defeated. Despite pouring effort into every area—striving for perfection, meticulously planning the future, relentlessly pursuing goals, staying current, educating yourself, and forging new connections—you find yourself feeling like a hamster on a wheel. You're stuck, sinking into the seabed, where every attempt to move is thwarted, and life remains static and unbearably heavy. Does that resonate?

It's the honest truth: everyone has felt this way. No matter how hard you try to hide or deny it, life has chipped away at you, broken you into tiny pieces. During these low periods, existence can feel incredibly bleak, leaving you with two options: continue pressing forward or find an escape.

Sometimes, the best choice is to escape, particularly when trapped in a stagnant, mediocre situation. For me, that meant leaving the school where I worked. The head of our department was entirely incompetent—not even a qualified teacher—and actively obstructed our innovative teaching methods. This ultimately stalled the students' progress and learning. She was a complete roadblock, and a difficult one to circumvent.

I've never been one to fawn over a boss, and I simply can't hold back if I fundamentally disagree with them. Begging to keep my job or compromising my principles is not an option. I decided to quit! Though, I had to be sneaky about my departure and wait for the school year to finish. What is more, I needed a Plan B, and asking for a teaching position at another school was out of the question. I had to transcend my current situation and was looking for a completely different career in another field.

I feel I'm in the exact same motionless spot today, trapped in a situation that pushes me toward a career change. However, this pursuit is even more challenging than it was ten years ago. With the prevalence of vicious job scams, predatory recruiters, and AI algorithms displacing qualified candidates and destroying numerous careers, the hope of achieving a better life, securing a superior role, or simply escaping mounting bills, feels nearly impossible.

Notwithstanding the difficulties, it is crucial to maintain focus on the positive elements and small joys in life. These things—such as health, family, pets, and friends—are vital for motivation and persistence.

Inspired by Burton’s gothic duality, this image proves that even in shadows, whimsical charm thrives. Beauty feels more enchanting when it’s found in the unexpected.

The ceaseless routine, seeing familiar faces and surroundings, was utterly exhausting. Thanks to an unexpected message from Slavka and Radka, that year suddenly presented something exciting to anticipate.

The message "We're coming!" filled me with such joy that I literally jumped! I couldn't wait to show my friends around the country and, of course, to return to Puerto to soak in the ocean views and its wonderfully relaxed beach atmosphere.

Planning their trip gave me a much-needed task after work—something to pursue other than the dreadful idea of returning just to wade through endless essays, check books, and grade exams. It felt like being in a "sweatshop!"

I immediately went online to search for affordable and safe accommodation that my friends would appreciate. I didn't just look for any hotel or Airbnb; I went off the beaten path. I genuinely wanted my friends to experience and witness the authentic Puerto vibe, a spirit that has lived inside me ever since my first visit in 2015.

I did it. I found a spot in La Punta, which, as I had seen with Jorge, was a haven for surfers and hippies. I yearned desperately to feel liberated and relaxed. From my perspective, La Punta offered that fantasy.

During my search, I stumbled upon "Puerto School," which, aside from offering Spanish lessons to foreigners, also provided lodging in their idyllic-looking bungalows. Surely enough, they had three bungalows at La Punta, and all the pictures exuded a laid-back, inviting, eclectic, and coastal vibe. "This is it," I thought.

However, the calendar initially showed those days as booked. So, I texted the landlord through the app, and he answered promptly: 'Yes, they are free during those dates; I had blocked the calendar for someone else, but they canceled.' He appeared to be quite pleasant and willing to offer other services, like tours and surfing lessons. Nevertheless, since our stay was short and we were on a budget, I didn't venture to ask further about the other attractions.

Buyer beware (or rather, viewer beware): The pictures he appeared in back then looked legitimate. He looked much younger in those photos—the reality was quite different, a bit of a shock when I first met him.

Nevertheless, he informed me that 'Josh' would be taking over, and let me tell you, this Josh was a stunning, buff-looking surfer who actually existed in 3D, not just pixels – a stark contrast to the previous incumbent. I remember telling myself, 'If many guys around here look this way, I’m willing to move here!' Once more, the fantasy of living by the sea, surrounded by beautiful, laid-back people and attractive surfers, invaded my mind—and I was determined to make it come true! 

My optimism, it turned out, was profoundly misplaced.

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