Job Discussion Forums

[lozwich]

Well, gee, like wow man..

So I went to astro.com, where I already (rather conveniently) had an account and looked up the best places for me. None of the places where I have felt a) called to and b) subsequently had a fantastically brilliant time turned up as being remotely good for me...

But, thank crikeys, the full moon is not far away, there's plenty of cats around my place, and I'll be able to go up on the roof and consult their intestines..

The process I am going through just now to decide my next destination involves lots of internet research, thinking about what I really want from my life, and asking the opinion of trusted loved ones. Getting credible information and then choosing from the list of places that I have initially felt called to is gradually helping me to make a rational, well balanced decision.

Oh, and I'm sure Medellin might fit your desires, ls650, but I have been advised by Colombians that its often unsafe to travel off the beaten path in Colombia..

Lozwich.

[moonraven]

Astro.com?s astrocartography section is not incompatible with rationality--in fact it supports it. I didn't get my PhD from a box of Cracker Jacks, nor did my other well-traveled academic friends (mostly scientists, by the way) who have also used it as part of their decision-making process. At the risk of sounding personal, you are the one asking for advice--not me. I have given you my best advice on this thread, and have also explained why the world is not beating a path to your door with juicy job offers. Maybe it's time for you to start making your own decisions, instead of complaining about the way others are advising you?

P.S. I did not suggest Medellin--in fact on other threads in this forum I have suggested that only the most intrepid, well-traveled folks with excellent Spanish should consider Colombia. Not only do you expect me to make your decisions for you, but you invent ones that I would never suggest.

[lozwich]

ow, moonraven..

In my humble defence, I wasn't asking for advice either. I was simply responding to naturgirl and ls650's posts with a little empathy, because I'm currently deciding on my next location too. By reading this thread I came to the conclusion that they were wanting constructive suggestions of locations, based on certain criteria (like not liking nightlife so much, but wanting to go hiking etc in spare time). I think it was khmerit who suggested Medellin, and at no point did I suggest you did.

Lozwich.

[khmerhit]

I coundn't get through to astrocom or whatever it is called, which is a shame as i could use the advice of a good astrology expert.

Sigh--where to go, where to go. Lozwich, your idea of consulting the augurs of a cat's intestines isn't bad. I think I would prefer to haruspicate a dog, however, as dogs are pissing me off these days.

As for Medellin, obviously I dont know for certain what it's like, but shebab lived there for some time and he said it was great.

There's always Cambodia! It's perfectly safe these days. Not as fun since the denizens of Phnom Penh stopped firing their machine guns at swollen rainclouds.

I have a feeling Colombia is an intersting place to be these days.


Just my tuppenceworth..

[ls650]

That's, well, interesting and all , but back to the original question...

Where _are_ all the jobs? What's a location in Latin America that I can go where I will likely be able to find teaching work quickly, and enjoy the great outdoors?

[MELEE]

[ls650]

Thanks MELEE. I actually do have a "plan B": if I can't arrange anything by say early August or so, I'll pick up a used vehicle (maybe a camper van) and drive down from Vancouver south into Mexico - maybe to Oaxaca or further south. If I find a location I like I'll look around for TEFL work.

If I find teaching work, that's great; otherwise when I start to run low on cash I'll head back to Vancouver and then find work in China (there's always work in China!)

Still, it would be nice to have a destination lined up...

[lozwich]

Hey ls650,

I'm guessing you're from Canada (or just like Vancouver?? ), so the money amounts I'm about to give you should be roughly the same. In December 02 - January 03 I travelled in Mexico as a sweaty backpacker. I mainly stayed in youth hostels, but I ate out for almost every meal, and always travelled on first class buses. The whole trip (not counting one crazy impulse airfare) cost around $AU2500 in travelling expenses. This included visiting museums, ruins etc, but not souvenirs, because I'm just not that kind o girl.

So, its possible to do it cheaper, but that's roughly how much cash you'll need to be here for a while. The Oz dollar is about equal to the Canadian one.

Also, you might want to check out the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree.. Its a forum, and has lots of travellers information about the whole planet, including a specific section for Mexico.

Mexico has a diverse range of geography, flora and fauna, so it also has lots of ocean, different kinds of forest, and mountains. I'm sure its possible to find what you're after here. Places I've enjoyed most are the rainforests in the state of Veracruz, close to Xalapa, the pine forests in the Copper Canyon in the north of Mexico, the entire Yucatan peninsula (because I lurrrve hot, humid, tropics), the mountains here in the state of Oaxaca, although they're a lot drier than some pine forests I know. My favourite cities are (from north to south) Zacatecas, Guanajuato, DF, Oaxaca, Xalapa and Merida. They all have different charms, and I believe, are worth checking out.

Hope this helps!
Have a good day,
Lozwich.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[hesterprynne]

I would use public transportation in Mexico. I think driving there is an invitation to get "the bite" from police officers.

[ls650]

[hesterprynne]

I lived close to mexico for a while and hung out there a lot- saw a lot of motorists getting hassled, but there was no hassle on the bus. the hassle did not seem to be limited to non-mexicans

[MELEE]

I think once you get away from the boarder you shouldn't have any problems.

Both buses and private vehicles are great ways to travel around Mexico, each gives you such a different experience.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

The mordida routine has really dwindled a lot during the past couple of years in the city where I live, especially involving minor infractions. I think that might be due at least in part to making the process of paying fines easier, faster, and less bureaucratic. (Fines for minor infractions can be paid in any bank.)

I've heard that mordidas are still rather common near many of the popular night spots at closing time, but I can't speak to that from personal experience. Also, if an uninsured driver is involved in an accident and doesn't want his car impounded, he'll probably end up paying some money to the police officers who show up at the accident and a greater sum to the other driver if he/she is insured.

I've been driving here for about 8 years and have only been stopped once: illegal U-turn on an avenida a couple of blocks from my house, where the No U-Turn sign was well hidden up in the leafy branches of a tree. I pointed out to the patrolman -- in an extremely respectful and polite way, I might add -- that if there was indeed a sign there, it would be next to impossible to see it. I wasn't given a ticket, and there was no hint of wanting a mordida. It's a place where everyone coming into our neighborhood from that direction makes a U-Turn, which I also pointed out, and less than a week later the sign was removed.

I've never noticed that foreign drivers are hassled more than locals by policemen here, but then again, the percentage of foreigners driving in this city is miniscule. (The percentage of people driving here who lack adequate driving skills is far from miniscule, however.) It's not common to see police stop drivers here, and when they do, it seems to be for a legitimate reason (driving at very excessive speed, blatantly running a red light, running over people in a marked pedestrian crossing, etc.)

[moonraven]

If you drive down the coast as far as Oaxaca State--there are three campuses of the Universidad del Mar on the coast: Huatulco, Puerto Angel and Puerto Escondido. They all have language departments, and one of them may well be looking for someone to start in September. I don't recommend living conditions in PA, but if you have a vehicle you could live in Mazunte, which is cleaner.

I do not recommend coastal university spots in Jalisco State--know of some folks who didn't get paid....

For the person who was "pissed off" by dogs lately, and who could use the advice of a good astrologer--I suggest not "pissing off" either dogs or astrologers as a prudent strategy....