Stupid question about Cali

saint says on Mar 28, 2004, 17:12:

Don't let ugly American syndrome get you down.... Shane,

There are "ugly Americans/Canadians/fill in the blank" on every square inch of this globe. I do see a lot of these types when I travel in Mexico. The best for me is when I would drive into the interior cities of Mexico. I would see almost no Americans. But in all reality I don't let ugly Americans affect my ability to have a good time and they shouldn't you either.

I think a lot of people are too concerned about others. I'm not saying this is the case with you but I think it's every travelers duty to be the best representative of their country. I don't know too much about Colombia but I think you'll get far less Americans visiting cities like Cali.

I was only there 10 days but I came across VERY few Americans. I'm sure Cali gets a lot of ugly Americans too but I think the Calenos are bright enough to figure out that not all of us are equal. There are idiots in every country. The people in Cali are very friendly and open. I maybe only came across less than 5 Americans and I was quite active going out to restaurants, the mall, clubs, the gym, siteseeing, etc.

I'm not sure where in Mexico you live but Colombia and Mexico are two entirely different worlds. People aren't scared of going to Mexico even without speaking Spanish. Since they are a neighbor of the USA, many Mexicans can speak or understand English. Cali is totally different. VERY few people I came across spoke ANY English. You have to understand there is very little tourism there so there is no need for them to learn English. In taxis, restaurants, stores, the mall, internet cafes, clubs.....no one really spoke English.

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Where in Mexico are you teaching English? Did you already get a job in Cali?

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Skippy says on Mar 28, 2004, 18:59:

Reply to Saint I am living in GDL. It is okay. I am thinking of finding a job in a langusge school when I arrive in Cali. I have 5 years teaching experience. I am a little nervous that I won't find anything, but there in lies the challange. I felt the same way before I went to Brazil and everything went fine. A big plus is that I speak Spanish. I am not fluent, but enough for a conversation.

Thanks.

Yup

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saint says on Mar 28, 2004, 20:01:

Be careful... I'm sure others can give you better advice. I'm not sure if you're just packing up and making a move. Probably not but keep in mind jobs sound like they are hard to come by in Colombia. I met several people and they all told me it's difficult to find decent jobs there. It seemed moreso than other places I've hit in South America.

However, I guess since no one speaks English there might be a demand but few can afford them. I know a girl that is taking English classes. She pays 270,000 pesos a month. She said that the teachers are Colombians that lived in the USA and moved back so you might have a tough time competing with native speakers that are fluent in both English and Spanish. Good luck.

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Dolfi says on Mar 29, 2004, 02:54:

Well..... Can´t speak from my own experience, but according to what friends living in Southamerica told me the only way to get a decent income down there is to start your own business. Even University teachers aren´t paid very well.

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 29, 2004, 10:00:

make pesos spend pesos No, people don't get paid very well in Colombia, but then again, they are spending in pesos too...everything is relative. An English teacher, part time, can make enough money working 4 to 5 hours a day to cover the basic cost of living there. Not to get rich, if that is what you mean. It al depends what you consider a decent income.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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SlmieBall says on Mar 29, 2004, 12:39:

Just Remember Everything in Santiago de Cali is hot.

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