Job Discussion Forums

[jesshiggins]

Hi all,

I've just had to leave my teaching job at Wall Street Institute due to health problems. They need another teacher immediately! $600 a month, 30 hours per week. If you're interested, e-mail me at jesshigginsAT yahooDOT com.

Thanks!
Jessica

[JZer]

How is Ambato, Ecuador? How big is it?

[Justin Trullinger]

It's Ecuador's fifth or sixth largest city...which means it's small. 40 to 50 thousand population, I think. Still has a very rural feel- and is not particularly westernized.

I like Ambato a lot, but lots of people don't. It has decent museums and universities, and some local theatre companies. It's a town that's rather proud of it's literary heritage, and is the birthplace of all (all right, there are only three) of Ecuador's famous writers. (Juan Montalvo, Juan Le�n Mera, and that other Juan whose name I always forget.)

It is well off the beaten track for tourists, so you'd be a novelty living there. When I was there with my blond girlfriend, we attracted a lot of attention, but it was mostly positive. You'd also, most likely, eat a lot of roast chicken if you like eating out. There isn't much else. (Though this is improving.) Ambato is famous for its bread and fruit. And odd combination of this is seen in the stewed prune and cheese sandwiches which you can buy on the street. (Better than they sound.)

As an aside, I'm not usually a fan of the Wall Street chain, but I know the director of Wall Street Ambato, and he seems like a good guy. The quality of the Wall Street center there is reputedly MUCH better than here in Quito.

Best,
Justin

[JZer]

[Aramas]

Funnily enough, I recently read the account of a Chileno's trip around SA and in it he mentioned Ambato as being reknowned for having the most beautiful girls in Ecuador - which he confirmed during his visit. I can't remember his name, but he was imprisoned and tortured under the Pinochet regime, then deported, so it was probably written in the '80's or thereabouts.

It was a good book. He actually manages to talk about his systematic and long-term torture with a sense of humour. Not many could pull that off.

[Justin Trullinger]

Was the guys name Jodorowsky?


And I've never heard that Ambato is where the beautiful girls come from...most people say the coast, or near the Colombian border.

Got to admit I saw some pretty women in Ambato though. Which I guess makes it pretty much like every place else...


Best,
Justin

[Aramas]

I just looked it up in the local library catalogue.
Sepulveda, Luis. Full circle : A South American Journey, Lonely Planet, 1997.

[melisssssa]

As an aside, I'm not usually a fan of the Wall Street chain, but I know the director of Wall Street Ambato, and he seems like a good guy. The quality of the Wall Street center there is reputedly MUCH better than here in Quito.


Justin and others,
could you elaborate on your experience/impressions of WSI in Quito vs. in Ambato? Quality, place of work, teaching conditions, teacher development, relations with students, salary, etc. I've got a possibility there and would like more info.

Any general info on Ecuador and Quito would be appreciated as well!

Thanks!

[Justin Trullinger]

ANother good Sepulveda is "the Old Man who read love stories." (El Viejo que le�a cartas de amor)

Based in Ecuador.

Melissssa- will respond soon, under serious time pressure right now...


Best,
Justin

[Aramas]

[JZer]

Justin Trullinger,

I will be determining soon if I will be coming to Ecuador. I hope but I must see when my next job actually starts. Anyways, how much would a hotel in Quito and Ambato run. Can I get something decent for $5 USD a night? Any help would be apprciated.

Thanks,
JZER