Job Discussion Forums

[judith reining]

hi there,

it's Judith again. must say I love this forum. good comments!

I found this teaching opportunity in Quillabamba, a small town in the Cloud Forest between the Sacred Valley and the Amazon jungle.

anyone familiar with it? is it the 'real Peru' or will I dy of lonelyness? excuse my words if I'm wrong....don't want to make a mistake in choosing destination. hope you understand.

cheers,
Judith

[JZer]

Judith,

You need to first ask yourself some questions because no one can give you any advice until you know what you want. Do you want to be around tourist or do you want to spend your time around Peruvians? How well do you speak Spanish because I don't think that you will find too many people to speak English with in Quillabamba.

You might also want to email the school and ask them how large Quillabamba is. What is there to do there? I am guessing that it is a town of around 50,000 and that you will not find many foreigners. If you are looking to pratice your Spanish and interact with locals then I am sure that it could be quit interesting. If you speak little Spanish and are not ready to live like a Peruvian then it might not be the place for you.

[JZer]

Quillabamba
A rapidly expanding market town, growing fat on coffee, tropical fruits, chocolate and to a certain extent perhaps, the proceeds of cocaine production, QUILLABAMBA is the only Peruvian jungle town that's easily accessible by road, and the main attraction here for tourists is a quick look at the selva. Coming from Cusco, the initial section of road is a narrow gravel track along precipitous cliffs, notoriously dangerous in the rainy season, but after a few hours, having travelled over the magical Abra Malaga - the main pass on this road - the slow descent towards Chaullay starts. From here on, you'll see jungle vegetation beginning to cover the valley sides; the weather gets steadily warmer and the plant life thickens as you gradually descend into the Urubamba Valley.

Your first sight of the town, which tops a high cliff, is of old tin roofs, adobe outskirts and coca leaves drying in the gardens. It's a pleasant enough place to relax, and you can get all the gear you need for going deeper into the jungle; the market sells all the necessities like machetes, fish hooks, food and hats. Just ten minutes walk from here, the Plaza de Armas , with its shady fountain statue of the town's little-known benefactor, Don Mart�n Pio Concha, is the other major landmark. Other than that, though about 4km away at Sambaray , the once attractive river beach is a bit of a dump these days; much nicer and quite a popular resort is the nearby waterfall area of Siete Tinjas .

http://www.cityguides-worldwide.com/Peru/26548.htm

[judith reining]

hi JZ

thanks for your comments and the site. and yes, I do need to make up my mind. working on it...

I want to get to know the Peruvian life, but not in a place where hardly anyone speaks English. I do speak basic Spanish, but would appreciate some other nationalities as well. I think I should better have a look at a bigger, or as you said, more touristy place.

still have a few weeks left, so don't have to decide yet.

greetz,
Judith

[JZer]

judith reining,

I am not trying to be mean but I am not sure what you think that you can offer by teaching English to Peruvians! There are Peruvians that can teach English as well.

[judith reining]

hi JZ,

well, you say you don't want to be mean, but I really don't understand your remark: what I think I can offer teaching English to Peruvian!

seems obvious to me! moreover, this school is asking for a teacher itself! so I really don't understand your remark....

Judith