Job Discussion Forums

[chola]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. Does anyone know anything about a small town called Ixtepec, Oaxaca. It's in the isthmus region. Any time spent there, experiences, amenities, general atmosphere of the town, were the temps unbearable, etc. thanks to anyone who contributes.

[monkeylady]

Hi
I'm sorry I don't have much advice about the town, but I'll be coming to Ixtepec at the end of this month to work at the uni.
Did you get a job there too? I'm not sure what to expect!
If you are going/already there, get in touch!
Cheers

[delacosta]

As another thread suggested, bring as many teaching resources as you can. The schol there is relatively new so I doubt they have much.

I was the area on a bike trip a few years back, stayed only one night in town. It seemed to be very very quiet and quite clean. I'm not one for going out much but there was a movie theatre. The surrounding area is worth exploring, and there's great beaches close by, especially good for surfing.

The area is famous for very strong winds, called 'norte�as', which I can testify to. I was on my way to a natural spring called Ojo del Tigre, less than 100 km from the town. The area is totally flat so it would normally take me about three hours to get there...Wrong! I had no idea of the winds, and no idea how much they'd slow me down. Ended up taking me around 11 hours of frustrating biking, heading straight into the wind. Later I was told that the wind sometimes knocks over buses when travelling through the Isthmus, although that's perhaps urban legend.

There definiteley weren't any Wall Mart or such type of stores in or around Ixtepec, I don't believe that Salina Cruz even has them. Has anyone ever seen one in the state of Oaxaca? The local cacique families seem to be quiete good at keeping out most forms of competition.

I wouldn't depend on the town to entertain you, small town Oaxaca isn't set up that way. But if you are into exploring and learning the area will provide as many opportunities as you wish to pursue. The ability to speak Spanish will make life much easier. The salary you're earning will actually allow you to save a good chunk.

I'm just up the coast a bit in Zipolite. There are quite a few posters here that are part of the same state university system that you are entering.

Good luck!

[monkeylady]

thanks for the advice! Very interesting indeed. I am quite scared as I am leaving on Tuesday...the small, quiet town thing doesn't bother me but I'm a bit scared of the heat...any idea just how hot it might be?

[delacosta]

Ahh! Hi chola, i just realised that I know who you are, we exchanged emails a while back, no? Congratulations on landing the job.

One last thing, yes the temperatures are on the extreme side. It does take a bit of getting used to. Look for shade and ventilation wherever you're going to stay, and avoid the sun whenever possible. I'm sure you'll learn the little tricks of living in the tropics soon enough ...

[MELEE]

Ventalation, Ventalation, Ventalation.

In Tehuantepec, I stayed in a hotel that had great ventalation, with a ceiling fan and openings near the top of the wall on two sides of the room. It was about 30 degrees cooler inside than out. I was seriously tempted to stay in the hotel all day.