Bookish Brewing

Where Travel Meets Teaching

Travel and teaching are perhaps one of the finest combinations through which a person can truly understand the world. The Fun We Had stands as a vivid reflection of a life lived across borders, classrooms, and cultures.

In this deeply engaging memoir, Carrie Evans offers a frank and often amusing account of her formative years and her career as an English language teacher. Spanning twelve countries from the 1970s to the 1990s, her journey is not just about movement, but about transformation.

Her story begins in childhood, shaped by a constantly shifting life in the UK. Studying in eight different schools due to her father’s peripatetic lifestyle, she grows up adapting to change. This early exposure quietly prepares her for a future that would unfold across continents, where unfamiliar places soon become spaces of belonging.

A Life Across Continents

What follows is not merely travel, but immersion.

From Sharjah to Egypt, New Zealand to India, Thailand to Spain and beyond, Carrie moves through countries not as a visitor, but as someone willing to observe, adapt, and connect. Each destination is experienced through classrooms, shared meals, workplace conversations, and everyday interactions.

Her relationships with coworkers from diverse cultural backgrounds add depth to her journey. These are not fleeting encounters but meaningful exchanges that shape her understanding of people and places. Whether it is guidance from friends in unfamiliar lands or navigating new environments, each experience contributes to a life richly lived.

Cultures, Classrooms, and Curiosity

This memoir offers far more than geographical movement. It opens a window into the customs and cultures of Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, and Australasia.

There is a quiet attentiveness in Carrie’s observations. She notices the rhythm of daily life, embraces unfamiliar cuisines, and listens closely to the personal stories of those around her. These moments, though simple, create a vivid tapestry of cultural understanding.

Teaching, in this context, becomes more than a profession. It becomes a bridge that connects languages, perspectives, and lived experiences.

The Reality Behind the Journe

At its heart, The Fun We Had is deeply human.

Alongside moments of joy and laughter, there are experiences that carry emotional weight. The sudden dismissal of her friend Jamal, her own health struggles in Spain, and the uncertainties of working abroad remind us that travel is not always romantic.

It is layered, unpredictable, and at times challenging. Yet, it is within these very moments that resilience takes shape and growth quietly unfolds.

A Voice That Feels Real

What makes this memoir stand out is its honesty.

Carrie writes with clarity and ease, drawing the reader into her world without exaggeration. Her storytelling feels natural, almost conversational, allowing us to walk beside her through classrooms, staff rooms, unfamiliar streets, and fleeting yet meaningful friendships.

It is this simplicity that makes the narrative so compelling.

A Personal Reflection

For me, this book felt quietly familiar.

Having travelled across different states in India and studied in various schools due to my father’s occupation, I found myself relating to Carrie’s journey in unexpected ways. The constant adjustment, the shifting environments, and the people we meet along the way all leave lasting impressions.

This memoir gently reminded me of how deeply our surroundings shape us, and how teaching and learning extend far beyond formal spaces.

More Than Just a Memoir

The Fun We Had is not just the story of a teacher. It is a lived archive of cultures, connections, and the small yet defining moments that come from choosing a life less rooted and more explored.

It celebrates curiosity, resilience, and the beauty of stepping into the unknown.

About the Author

Carrie Evans is an English language teacher whose career spanned over three decades and multiple continents. Her work took her across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond, allowing her to experience diverse cultures through both teaching and travel.

Even after her formal teaching years, she remained connected to the world of language and learning, working internationally as an English examiner. Now based in the UK, she continues to engage with literature, writing, and travel in quieter, reflective ways. Her memoir is a testament to a life shaped by curiosity, movement, and a deep interest in people and their stories.