Job Discussion Forums

[lamarin]

Hi everyone,
So, thanks for sharing all your great info--I've been reading posts from several months back even and its been so helpful. I start teaching English at the university in Puerto Escondido this summer, and I've noticed this place is hardly mentioned on this forum--any perspectives or opinions on living and/or teaching there? (Actually, I hope there's not too many negative things to say--I'm going there no matter what!) And I am really excited, as I've been there once before but only as a backpacker, so I'm sure there's a whole other dimension I didn't see. Any comments you might have would be appreciated!

[ls650]

The language department there is small and only has four teachers, none of whom posts regularly - which might explain why you don't hear from them.

PE is an interesting place. I wouldn't mind teaching there myself.

[delacosta]

I'm just down the road from PE in Zipolite/Puerto Angel, which is jsut upthe road from where the above poster lives Huatulco.
I like PE and go there once in a while for weekends, just to get away from here. FOr me it's kind of between the disneyland uber- planned resort of Huatulco and the chaotic yet quaint desmadre that Zipolite is.
I would live there, while I wouldn't in Huatulco. It's got a pretty cool feel to it, although the tourists can be overwhelming at certain times of the year. Nice mix of Europeans and North Americans, with an overwhelminng surf cool laid back vibe. If you want to learn how to surf-PE's not the place! The waves are insane, hardcore surfers and pros come from all over the world.
There's some great restaurants. You've gotta check out La Gota de Vida in Zicatela for the best (and only I'm sure) tempeh burger on the Oaxacan coast.
The uni there's quite new so it's going through some of the usual growing pains. And it's part of the Oaxacan system that involves it's own particular set of challenges, one being the split schedule that really takes some getting used to. I know a few of the profs over there and the jefa, they're a good bunch.
You'll have fun I'm sure.

[MELEE]

I really couldn't say much more than delacosta and LS have said. I haven't been to PE for years, but I remember thinking that it had almost a college town feel to it (And this was long before the university was there!) I think it was the pedestirized street with funky shops and bars.
While its true that the waves at Zicatela are strong (I took one look and said, I'm NOT going in there.) there are other beaches that are nice. One called Puerto Angelito would be idealic if not for the banana operators trolling for customers. Its over run by families during the holidays. We talked about SUNEO (sistema de universidades estatales de Oaxaca) on the board before.

See
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=28240&highlight=ixtlan

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=29876&highlight=ixtlan

It seems like there was another one, but I can't find it now.

[lozwich]

As a long term resident of really hot places (although not now, unfortunately ) choose where you live according to how much breeze you get. I'm not sure where the uni is located in PE, but somewhere up on the hill should get you nice afternoon breezes in your house that will cool things down nicely.

And have a great time!
Lozwich.

[lamarin]

thank you for your replies!