Job Discussion Forums

[DirtGuy]

Hi, everyone. I hope you can give me some answers.

I am in the process of selling my house and plan to have a mid-life crisis. By that I mean I am tired of busting my butt all day and want to have some fun before I get any older. Money is not a problem as I have the proceeds of my home plus income from investment properties. My idea is to travel a bit and maybe teach EFL (already teach adults in night school here in Silicon Valley) if I find a place I like.

Here's the rub: I absolutely hate hot and humid weather!!! I have worked in Taiwan before but the weather is just unbearable there plus the pollution makes it hard for me to breathe. Cold weather, on the other hand, does not bother me at all. My thought at this point is to work somewhere in the Andes. Perhaps Ecuador, Peru, or Bolivia. Have had Peruvian students in my classes and have found them to be the nicest people I have ever dealt with.

If you could teach in one of the above countries, would you and where and why? I do not have to worry about money but I would like to get paid if I teach. Hey, it's the principle of the thing.

Thanks for your help.

DirtGuy

[Tiger Beer]

I've been through Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. They are quite similar in that they all have a high indigenous population and speak Spanish very phonetically and clearly to the foreign ear.

Bolivia has the most indigeous of the three. Its also the most insular and inward of the three countries.

Peru is the big tourist magnet. Most of the tourists just go for a couple weeks and back out. Felt like I had to be most cautious there around strangers. It also has the most to offer however, and Lima is a really fun South American city. Lima, while predominately mestizo, also has its white, asian, and black population around about as well.. so adds a little interesting aspect to it to me.

Ecuador I felt the most comfortable - although heard there is a crime problem now? Never was that way when I was there. What I liked about Ecuador is that it was real easy to experience the entire microcosm of South America in Ecuador. Quito was a perpetual spring-like all year round.. perfect climate.. and at any moment you could go either one direction the the beaches on the ocean or you could go the opposite into the amazon jungles.

Hope that helps a bit.

[tomteacher]

The Andean regions might suit your style mate. Somewhere like Huaraz in Peru, or Potosi in Bolivia maybe, although there are many many other places to choose from. I just gave two examples which I know. Although the sun is very strong in those parts, it's not particularly hot and the air is very very dry. There's no need for air-con and the evenings are cool. The Chilean Andes might be another possibility, a long way from the equator and I doubt it gets hot at all.

[MELEE]

You didn't include Mexico in your list, but if money was no object, I know several people who would drop everything and run to San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas. There is a group of teachers I work with who talk about opening a small language school there, this talk has been going on for years.

Of the countries you mentioned, I think you should just hit the road and see where it takes you. Tour Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and if a place strikes your fancy, there is it, your place in the world. I was in Cuenca, Ecuador way back in 1995. I loved it. Some of my friends there talked about going to asia, skrimping and saving for a couple of years then coming back to open a English for locals-Spanish for foreigners school in a town called Vilcabamba, but it never happened and we are all married (to other people) now.

Even further back in time, I was a student in Chile in 1993, I fell in love with a tiny town in the South called Frutillar, near Osorno. I'd love to go back there.

[DirtGuy]

This is really good stuff. Thanks for the suggestions. Now it is time to dust off the atlas and see where all these places are.

Actually, I'm thinking about taking a month of intensive Spanish instruction in 2 or 3 different countries and seeing what I think of them. If all else fails, at least I will finally get my Spanish to the point I have alwaysw wanted.

DirtGuy

[Aramas]

[vivaBarca]

Yeh, Frutillar is really beautiful...but unless town meetings at the local teutonic historical society are your idea of nightlife, you could get bored very easily. Of course, the spectacular views of the Osorno Volcano and all of the surrounding nature - along with the activities they afford - could make up for that. It's just a matter of priorities.

Southern Chile does have spectacular scenery, a colder climate, and is relatively modern, but it 'aint cheap. At least not compared to Argentina. Bariloche, Mendoza, etc. meet all of the above criteria as well but are fairly large so as to sustain a minimum of cultural offerings, diversions, etc. And the buck actually goes a long way in Argentina, another factor to consider.

[DirtGuy]

vivaBarca,

I hadn't really thought about Argentina as a destination. My understanding of the country is that crime is high and the Spanish is extremely difficult to understand. Is that so? Plus I am not a vegetarian or anything but beef is far from my favorite food and I hear that's what people eat tons of down there. True?

Geez. I must really sound like your typical ignorant American.''

DirtGuy

[MELEE]

[vivaBarca]

[Sabine11]

Hi DirtyGuy;

I've been living in Buenos Aires for 2 months now and I am completely vegan.. I can tell you that I eat extremely well here.. There are tons of veggie restaurants here, dieteticas (natural food stores).. In supermarkets you can find milanesas de soya (soya patties, not bad).. There are alot of Chinese food stores where you can find tofu, soya products, ect..

Argentina is more evolved holistic-wise than its beef-eating reputation wants to show. I teach Kundalini yoga once a week in a yoga centre and quite a few people here are vegetarian.

About the crime rate I don't think it's that bad when you think Buenos Aires is a huge metropolis like Paris or New York.. I take the bus, train and subway sometimes after dark and it's never been an issue..

Plus, if you like cool temparatures you would like it here, winters are very cool, and even in the spring/fall you need a jacket or sweater here..

Anyways, wherever you go best of luck and have fun here!!

Sabine
www.sabarg.blogspot.com

[Tiger Beer]

[DirtGuy]

Well, thanks for all your input. Unfortunately, I'm a bit more confused than ever. So, what to do? Aha! When all else fails, go to the local Barnes and Noble and read the Lonely Planet guides for free.

Seriously, I did learn a lot from all of your comments and I appreciate the time you all put into them. Whenever this house sale of mine wraps up, I think I'll just buy a multi-city ticket and see where I wind up.

DirtGuy

[Sgt Killjoy]

The best piece of advice I ever got was to search for the place you want to be and then find a way to make a living there. Great advice, but 11 years on, I still haven't beat the wanderlust, just expanded my horizons.

[viovio]