Name
Martin Evans
How long have you been at the British Council?
I've worked for the British Council since 2012
Why did you join?
I applied for a job at the British Council whilst teaching in Shanghai - I saw a job advertised in Khartoum and I thought that would be a great place to teach. I've travelled a bit in Africa and always wanted to work here, so this was an opportunity that was too good to miss. I had the chance to work in South Sudan while I was there, which was pure Africa for me: challenging, hectic, colourful, vibrant with a hint of danger and adventure thrown in, in equal portions.
My life...
If I had a lot of money, I would..
I am not really very interested in money - I have nearly everything I need. I suppose I could buy a bigger, faster motorbike, but my current one works just fine, is very cheap to run and I'm in no danger of losing my licence!
The book or film that has influenced me most is..
I probably didn't realise it at the time but 'As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning' by Laurie Lee. To me it's about the freedom to travel anywhere, irrespective of money or borders. Laurie Lee sets out to walk across Spain on the cusp of the Spanish Civil War, with nothing but his trusty violin. It is very heart-warming and beautifully written. I read it in my youth and had to wait twenty years (along with everyone else) for the sequel 'A Moment of War', but it was well worth the wait.
My most treasured possession is..
…my guitar, although I play it very badly. I've been trying to get to grips with the instrument for years now and have made very little progress, but I enjoy bashing away... as long as there's no one there to listen!
The strangest experience I have ever had was..
..actually in a Souk in Cairo about twenty years ago. If you bump into me you can ask me about the story but I'm not relating it here!
A proverb I particularly like is: ..
I don't like proverbs. In China they have a similar device called a 'chengyu', which means 'become language'. The point is, when a phrase blends into the language so completely it is no longer questioned, it becomes a false truth. I much prefer to make up my own mind rather than deferring to some ancient 'wisdom'.
The best thing about my role is ..
…definitely the students - I've learned so much about different ways of thinking since I started teaching, I have become a much more rounded person - though I am always a work-in-progress.
My first impression of Cairo: ..
It's more 'continental' than I expected, with cafes and restaurants, hundreds of small Fiats; you could almost be in a European city anywhere. There's even some great architecture, if you can peer through the grime for long enough - it could definitely do with a good scrub down though, and the pollution is a serious problem.
My favourite city at the moment is ..
As far as big cities go, I don't think there is anywhere more complete, diverse and quirky as Paris, I have very fond memories of it but, on a smaller scale, my favourite city (and the favourite of everyone I know who's been there) is Luang Prabang. A perfect location, inexpensive, relaxing, great cuisine, beautiful architecture, few cars and friendly people - with the mountains and the mighty Mekong river on your doorstep. Go mountain biking there - the roads (and paths) are steep and challenging and the the views are stunning – Just writing about it makes me want to go back there!
Three things I would take to a desert island are ..
I believe I'm allowed to take the 'Complete works of Shakespeare', which would give me plenty to read, so my guitar, some music and a solar charger, so that I could listen to it. You never know, my playing might even improve - though if it did, no one would know except me…
The route to happiness is ..
…to deal with the things that you can control and don't worry too much about the things that you can't.
The one gadget I can’t live without is ..
Well, in Shanghai it was noise-cancelling headphones. I don't know about Cairo yet, what would you recommend?
My favourite cuisine is..
…without a doubt, Thai food. Though I would steer clear of the frogs and moths...
Something I hope to do in the next year is ..
…visit my home in Whitby, in Yorkshire, time and money permitting...
The best piece of advice anyone has ever given me is..
…”prepare for the worst, hope for the best.”