Via Prague

I stopped by the university this morning. Having gone to half time following last week's announcement, I had the day off, but having nothing better to do, decided to drop by, check email and get the day's gossip (working in Istanbul, I've discovered, being privvy to the daily dish is an essential, since things can change so quickly).
Not much was up. Two of the girls, Bengü and Pinar, are having a joint birthday bash at a club called Balans in the center on Saturday night, and yes, I received the Facebook invitation. Chatted with Ralph, a cool guy from San Diego, about his plans for the weekend, said hello to a few students.
"Excuse me, James!" It was Michael, our EF coordinator. "Sorry, I didn't expect you to be here today. I was going to talk to you on Monday. Can we have a word?"
Something dropped in me as I followed him down to his office. After all, it has been a rather extraordinary week already.
I haven't really had a chance so far to say much about Michael, the guy who recruited me from Prague earlier this year. Actually we initially talked via Skype last fall when the EF branch in Istanbul was looking for teachers. That job eventually fell through due to the financial crisis. But our interview had gone well and Michael had promised to keep me in mind for positions in the future.
When I arrived at Beykent University, with which EF had secured a long-term contract, I finally had a chance to meet Michael face to face. An Englishman in his late thirties or early forties, Michael presents a polished, professional, if somewhat hurried, demeanor. He's always dressed in a suit and tie, and wears his brown hair clipped and combed back. Despite his almost perpetually busy expression, behind a pair of wire spectacles, one perceives a kind, sympathetic face, but as most quickly learn, the sympathy can harden into worldly toughness when necessity required.
Knowing this, I steeled myself for what very well could be more bad news.
"How are things at the lodgement, by the way?" Michael asked, as we entered his office. His assistant, Esin, was there. Esin warrants a word; a general all-around fixer with a shrewd hold on dollars and sense machinery, Esin has a kind smile and helpful eyes, but she can also be a tough article. She greeted me warmly, which did not lessen my apprehension.
"Yes, actually James, that's what we're here to talk about," Michael said, pulling his chair around from his desk to sit by me. "You're the only one up there, right?"
I was. Despite its cheap price and proximity to the university, all the other teachers had settled for being closer to the action in the center of Istanbul. After last week's announcement, I thought I would have company, but so far that hadn't happened.
"Right," Michael said, listening. "So, listen, what we've been thinking," he met his eyes with Esin, "is that it doesn't really make good financial sense to hang on to the lodgement."
Ah, so this is what it is, I thought, and readied for the cards. Michael gave me a sympathetic appraisal.
"So we're going to put in our month's notice. Of course, we know you've been having some financial problems, we know what kind of a position this puts you in. But as you know, we still have a full-time position available in Ankara, as well as another one in Bursa, and we've been thinking, well, that you might want to consider taking one of these positions."
I listened. Already I could see Istanbul receding, me on a bus or train, being shipped off into the hinterlands. It was like passing through a tunnel.
Some of this must have registered in my expression, for Michael proceded on a more reassuring note.
"Of course, this would by no means be permanent. This would give you a chance for a full-time position, and time to get on your feet financially, and when things pick up again here -- and they will pick up -- you can come back. As you know, Corey has already taken a position there -- and, well, we're trying right now to look at the teachers who are in the most difficult position and see if we can't get you to accept these positions."
We talked a while longer. I asked about accommodation. It was free, he said. Salary? He didn't have the details to hand, but he understood it was a good salary, with a chance at perhaps rising to management. Michael said it would perhaps be good for me, seeing as I was an experienced teacher, and a guy who "seems pretty flexible."
As he had planned on informing me on Monday, Michael concluded by saying I could take the weekend to think about it. Esin said she would schedule a meeting on Monday where I could talk to some of the people who were involved with the Ankara branch.
I left and, without saying goodbye to my colleagues, went out into Ayazağa and caught a bus to the metro. It was a gorgeous morning; even the normally hellish Istanbul traffic was light. At Taksim I got out and headed for Istiklal Caddesi, and found my favorite sandwich shop where you can order a tost burger, served in a paper wrap. As I ate, I thought about the deal Michael had proposed. Really, it was not a bad deal at all. Except I would have to move to Ankara. Well, after all it is the capital city. Perhaps it lacks the majesty of Istanbul, but it also lacks the high prices. I had asked Michael how far it was from Istanbul; by train about four hours. Not so bad. Still, my stomach felt as though I had suddenly dropped ten stories. My prime motivation for accepting this offer originally was Istanbul. Imagine if you were offered a job in Paris and then suddenly farmed out to Dijon.
But then I realized: come on, this is not a bad deal. A full-time position. And Ankara, OK, maybe it's a bit provincial but it's still a city, the capital even. Maybe you need this, a chance to get on your feet. Sure you could stay in Istanbul, perhaps crash on somebody's couch, but then what? How are you going to get ahead on half-salary? And think of Michael and Esin. It was pretty clear that yes, they are trying to weed a few teachers out at Beykent, encourage those who could leave to leave, which would free up some hours for the core who stayed, people like Ralph, who has a wife and child and cannot pack up so easily.
Yes, it was not a bad deal. And Michael did say that it did not mean forever; surely things will pick back up again, perhaps by spring ...
After lunch I found an Internet cafe and sent Michael an email accepting the offer, and then went to look into tickets to Ankara.