Michael, originally called Mohammed (you can guess why he changed his name) was born and raised in Egypt and lived a part of his life in U.A.E. He received a fancy schmancy university degree in Engineering and got a great job. A job most Egyptians would die for. He worked in the telecommunications business and had a happy life. Rented an apartment downtown in one of those high-rise buildings surrounded by pools, palm trees, sand and gold. But Michael needed to get away from his family. Apparently his father spoiled him. He gave him whatever he wanted as a child and made life "easy" for him. Michael was driven by challenge. He wanted to show the world he wasn't a spoiled brat. Even though self-achieved in the dunes of gold and quite the success, Michael packed his bags and went to America, the land where dreams come true. And the land of freedom.
And so young Michael came to NYC. It was a harsh cold winter. He found himself a shared apartment in Harlem and a job. A quite fabulous one actually - a food delivery guy on a bike. For the first couple of months Michael delivered pizza in snow and sleet. He would come home from work completely drenched. So drenched in fact, that he could fill his shower with the water soaked into the clothes. But Michael didn't give up. And so he looked around and decided to pursue a different career.... bar tending. Since Michael was lonely and discrimination against Arabs was at its peak, it was a good and smart way of meeting people. He could mix good drinks and meet friends while making money and tips. Michael the Engineer therefore got a bar tending job at a bar and climbed the ladder. From the bus boy to waiter, he became the manager. And a professional in cosmopolitans and more. And that it what he still does and loves it.
Michael still lives in Harlem and is now planning to go back to school to study more engineering to continue in his previous career.
And now some nice pictures from the bars in Harlem. :)
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