A Walk Around Puebla

I had been thinking of going to the city of Puebla since it's less than 2 hours from where I currently live, so I made an impromptu trip on Saturday evening. On Saturday mornings I teach the lovely Marilu German and she teaches me Spanish (and sometimes Portuguese and Italian!) After our lesson I booked a hostel, packed my backpack with the essentials and headed off to the ADO station to buy my bus ticket. 

When I arrived in Puebla it was dark and I was seriously considering taking a taxi but I saw the bus the hostel said to take so I jumped on it (before asking the driver if he went to the street I needed to get to...I wanted to be super sure I was on the right bus!). I was able to get a seat and after three stops the bus was packed with people. In Mexico (or at least in the state of Puebla) buses don't announce the names of upcoming stops and the street signs are too small to see so I wasn't exactly sure if my stop was coming up. I knew that the hostel was in the Zocalo (city center) so a few stops after I saw the Zocalo I pushed my way out of the bus. I got off on the wrong stop! So I asked a lady where the street 9 oriente was and she said "Ohhhhh it's so far!" and then she gave me directions. I followed her directions and let me tell you...it was not far! It was maybe 6 or 7 blocks from where she was. Maybe I'm just used to walking? 

I arrived at Hostel Casona Poblana which is really nice! Since I was by myself I stayed in the all girls dorm which wasn't even full (plus it has its own shower!!). The hostel was very neat and clean which I loved. It's right in the city center but luckily my room wasn't loud at all. I met a German girl who was making her way through Mexico to eventually go to Peru. I was able to give her tips for her future trip to Chiapas. There was also a polish woman who has been living in the Yucatan for the last four years. Both of them were really nice to talk to. 

Once I dropped my stuff off I went exploring Puebla at night and loved it. There were so many people out at night and colorful lights highlighting churches and buildings. All of the streets were paved which is a big plus! I bought some dinner and postcards and eventually went to sleep. The next morning I wrote my postcards and explored Puebla during the daytime which was also beautiful. I would love to go back to Puebla and explore more of the city. 

 This guy made those so quick! He also used fire!!

 A very nice confession box

 One of the entrances to the cathedral 

 The architecture in Puebla is beautiful and colorful. 

And So the Search Begins

By the search I mean job search. And okay, so it started a while ago...but I'm finally writing about it. Right now, Dave's ESL Cafe is my best friend. So if you're looking to teach English abroad Dave's ESL Cafe is a great way to start. If you're looking to teach in South Korea get a recruiter because there are soooo many positions on Dave's ESL Cafe that it can get overwhelming. I applied to teach in a little town in Puebla, Mexico a few weeks ago and I had my Skype interview two Thursdays ago. During the interview they had an earthquake in Mexico! After the interview I thought, "Hey! Maybe that'll make me more memorable!" I got the acceptance this Monday and let me tell you, I was so happy! If I choose to teach with this school I will be paid half of what I'm getting at my current job, but hey...I'll be in a new country! I'll most likely be teaching English to the young learners. I think that'll be very fun! Difficult...but fun. I'll have to keep the kids in control and entertained for the whole 50 minutes or however long I have them.

I also applied to a job in Japan and I had the interview last Thursday. I'll know by this Friday if I got that job or not. I'm glad I applied to this job but I'm having second thoughts about it because of the conditions of working with this school. I also applied with Berlitz to teach in Colombia. I'll be making more money than in Mexico but I'll have to pay for my own accommodations and utilities, which might end up being more or less the same pay as living in Mexico. But I'll be able to have my own apartment! :) Which is exciting to me! I reaaaalllyyy want to go to Colombia so I hope I get this job. I've learned a lot from my TEFL course - I should be getting my certificate in a few weeks :)))))) - and I hope this helps with the interview. Whatever happens, I should be out of the country by July at the earliest. AHHHHHH ^_^