Satire by Joe Fotalattee
Hugh Jaynus, 55, has been living in Vietnam for 15 years and has no regrets. Jaynus was previously a financial planner in New Orleans and discovered English teaching when he came here in 2007.
“I spent a few years paying into Social Security and retirement, and it was nice to let go of my nine-to-five.”
Jaynus now teaches six days a week and uses most of his free time for lesson planning and grading homework.
“I always tell people, they can do this, too. I love it!”
Jaynus uses the foreign tax income credit and brags that he hasn’t had to pay taxes in over a decade. “I can save about $300 a month, and helped my girlfriend’s family buy a little plot of coffee land.” Jaynus wasn’t able to point out the land on a map for The Beat but says he has seen pictures of it. “I just have to pay another $3,000 and they’ll send pictures of the Red Book,” Jaynus explained through a persistent cough.
Jaynus says he lives like a king in Vietnam, but hasn’t been able to find the right cleaner for his 3BR apartment he shares with two other English teachers.
His previous career provided Jaynus with medical, paid vacation, training, support services, and a pension, which he is happy to have left all behind.
“I no longer think about the old career or my future, it is great to be in the present moment.” Jaynus says a gratitude journal helps him stay humble as he risks his life through chaotic traffic traveling from school to school on his own time.
“I just love it!”