The Job Interview

Have you ever gotten a job just by talking to someone about the weather? By smiling, killing time while drinking coffee? And, have you ever been asked to do this job with your 'employer' knowing next to nothing about you, to work in a place you hadn't even heard of let alone been to, with people that you haven't met, your job description being something you have never done or thought of before? I have. When I had returned from Angel Falls, the city I found myself to have so conveniently landed in was entitled Ciudad Bolivar. It's hot there, just to warn you. I was staying in a lovely hostel which worked out to about $10 USD a night, but quite honestly was so well kept and upscale that in Canada it would have easily cost upwards of $100. But of course, me being the fantastical person that I am, I got to stay for free. Well almost. The catch was, I had to go work in another city halfway across the country, and I was going to start tomorrow. Have I confused your brilliant little minds yet? The city is called Merida. It apparently is known as a good place for adventure tourism, rafting, canyoning, paragliding.. The person responsible for this is a 50 year old german named Dieter, the now manager of the hotel in Ciudad Bolivar where him and I met, and the ex-veteran of the hostel in Merida. Dieter had known me for about an hour, the only real information he knew about me is that I am Canadian and I love pizza. So, of course he would ask me if I would take his old job in Merida. And, naturally of course I would say yes. How could a person say no when something was so absolutely uncertain, that the people on the other end could be the furthest thing from what little I did know about them, and that maybe it wasn't a job at all, maybe there was a completely different motive behind it. Well absolutely. Of course. Sign me up right away for that possibly devastating scenario, on the double. Turns out, Dieter had worked in Merida for almost 8 years. He had absolutely adored it, but wanted a change after such time, and had just recently found a new job in Ciudad Bolivar. Very recently in fact, he had only been gone from Merida for 10 days, all of which he had been looking for someone to replace him. He wanted someone who he thought without a doubt would be a perfect, glowing addition to the humble domain he had called home for close to a decade. And, I hadn't the faintest idea why, but it was quite obvious to him that it should be me. It took me 2 days on a bus to get to Merida, I was going far north, almost back to Colombia. When I got there I was greeted by the dashing Venezuelan owner just waiting to explain what was in store for me. Surprisingly enough, this was in fact a real job. Job Description: Go to the city bus terminal everyday, find tourists exactly like you arriving, who want exactly what you would want when they come to a new city: an english speaking tour guide. Greet them, invite them into your hostel which you yourself are staying at for free and show them around the bustling city. Point out all the great places to eat, bars, restaurants, attractions, and also sell the adventure tours that are offered in your hostel. Do all of this, as well as of course going on the tours yourself for free, and, party with everyone every night. And that, my friends, is how you get a job that pays commission in the adventure capital of Venezuela. I think this calls for a... brilliant? A gigantic bubble of cheesy drizzled goodness, a wonder-filled, warm, cosy thumbs up? Yes. Quite possibly. I've just landed here in Merida, barely had a chance to look around so I'll need a bit more time to properly give you a picture of what my life will be like for the next little while. So far all I know is how long and frustrating the blasted bus rides are to get to this city. What I can tell you right away is that I can see myself living a fantastical life here and being quite happy for the next little while. Really. Anyway, neither here nor there I suppose you want to hear how big the bucks are in a third world country. The salary is really rather large. So large in fact, that in 2 short months I will be able to afford the first of just ten instalments on a starbucks coffee at home. I can feel the yacht club coming next.. I have included a picture of me looking forward, as though there might actually be something in the future, as well as a picture of me in the city of Merida, the mountains vaguely visible in the background. Lovely. Cheers, everyone. To living, working in and enjoying Venezuela. The Newly Employed.