Living Vicariously 2008-07-05T15:56:39Z http://blog.savovfaire.com/atom.aspx Quick Blog Some reasons I'm thinking of Ecuador as my destination to teach English and live. tag:blog.savovfaire.com,2008-07-03:4ac36f1e-352a-404d-8a2a-0022ddb60385 SavovFaire 2008-07-04T08:57:12Z 2008-07-03T12:15:51Z In Quito and Cuenca, high temperatures average a comfortable 75 degrees year-round, and that means you can wear short-sleeved shirts almost every day but your never roasting hot. The air is dry, and aren't badgered by mosquitoes. At night, the temperature is an agreeable 50 or 55 degrees, so you can build a fire for ambiance but you rarely need it for warmth. On the coast, the weather is warmer, of course, but not as hot and humid as a Florida beach during the summer.

Surrounded by volcanic peaks that reach heights of almost 21,000 feet, can sit on the front patio each morning in the clear mountain air, sip coffee, and bask in the equatorial sun. Yet not isolated. Ecuador offers easy, affordable access to the rest of South America. From Ecuador it's easy to explore the splendors of Peru, Argentina, and Venezuela. 

Inside this tiny nation, barely larger than the state of Nevada, at least 14 different ethnic groups live side by side, some still speaking the language of the Incas. Fine craftsmen and attentive caretakers of their land, Ecuadorians adhere to the natural healing traditions their ancestors taught. And whether they live in jungle river towns or coastal fishing villages colonial cities or isolated cattle ranches they are a friendly and polite people, which makes day-to-day living here a pleasure.

Ecuador is gentle safe healthy private civil. "It's like living in the 1950s in the USA." You're guaranteed a quality of life that just plain doesn't exist anymore in the States. Up north, violence, materialism, and increasingly intrusive government policies have whittled away the last vestiges of the American Dream. Yet here youre guaranteed a truly extraordinary lifestyle.

This is a place where you can reconnect with the Earth and discover the natural rhythms of the world. For millions of years, Mother Nature has provided natural remedies to soothe our pains, calm our anxieties, and protect us against illness. But in the last century, synthet= ic medicines have supplanted these natural remedies in popularity and accessibility except in a few small, protected pockets of the world. Ecuador is one of those places. 

You eat organic fruits and vegetables because that's what's sold in the markets. You walk more because the pace  of life is slower and you take the time to do it. The hours you once wasted in commuter traffic you now spend in the relaxing company of friends. No longer do you while away entire days under fluorescent office lights in a climate-controlled building now you're outside in the sun. Living here is energizing, restorative. Simply put: You feel younger, years younger, every day.

An important fact: Although Ecuador is a much poorer country than the U.S., life expectancy here is the same. The reason? Good food and good living.

In this country, you can golf on breathtaking courses so free of crowds you never have to make a tee time. A gourmet meal in a world-class restaurant costs about what you'd pay for bottled water and an appetizer in Los Angeles, New York City, or London. The fresh fruits and vegetables you find overpriced at specialty shops up north sell here at the local markets for pennies. 

Daily flights depart for destinations across the hemisphere. Cell phones seem to be standard issue. Cyber cafes are easy to find, and home-computer hookups are common. Cable TV gets you the major U.S networks, CNN, three HBO channels, Cinemax, TLC, and more (for less than $50 a month). 

Whether you thrive on the hustle and bustle of the city or you are drawn to mountain valleys where cowbells are more common than car horns. 

Whether you crave the sun, sand, and crashing surf or have always dreamed of a rural retreat where you could ride your horse into town for lunch..
 
You'll find that pleasure in Ecuador. 
 
Ecuador is a safe place to live and invest.
 
We can't say crime is unheard of. Petty theft, particularly in the big cities, is an issue as it is in all big cities. But a bolstered police force and greater attention to education have been brought to bear on the problem. Based on statistics compiled by Interpol and the United Nations, Ecuador ranks third safest in terms of serious crime among Latin American countries. 

Politically, Ecuador is a peaceful country. The population is gentle. Even in the throes of a violent economic upheaval when the local currency careened downward, losing 67% of its value against the dollar in 1999, protests were peaceful. Nobody fired a single shot. Historically, Ecuador has avoided the guerilla warfare and repressive dictatorships that other Latin American countries have endured.

And economically speaking, Ecuador is walking smart= ly on the road to recovery. Back in 1999, the footing was less certain. The country had suffered everything short of the plague: a drought, then rains that washed away much of the country's infrastructure and crops, plummeting oil prices, near triple-digit inflation, failed banks, frozen assets, the collapse of Asian and Brazilian economies, which further hurt trade and political deadlock, which made effective government reforms impossible.

A United Nations World Heritage Trust Site, Cuenca is another city worth a close look. More charming than Quito, the city was voted one of Latin America's "most livable" cities by international urban planners in 2006. Considered the cultural heart of Ecuador, Cuenca nurtures a thriving intellectual and artistic community. With a population of 450,000, Cuenca offers big city infrastructure without big city problems.

Tucked away deep in southern Ecuador is the sacred Valley of Vilcabamba, known for its long-lived locals and its hippie transplants. (Young counter-culture types made it to Vilcabamba in the 1970s as backpackers and never left.) Gentle and pristine, this valley offers a mellow lifestyle, organic food, and lots of "communing with nature."
If you're overly bothered by roads that have potholes, if you cannot bear to be in the sight of people less affluent than yourself, if you are at a loss when things do not function in exactly the way you're used to them functioning well, then, Ecuador may not be for you.  

Ecuadorians are tremendously welcoming and friendly.  And if you launch a new life here with enthusiasm for them and their nation, you'll find it's an easy, enjoyable, rewarding place to live.
]]> Teaching English Overseas tag:blog.savovfaire.com,2008-04-10:bda3c9f2-7f9e-4a2a-b222-e7eeb56330dc SavovFaire 2008-04-10T08:53:46Z 2008-04-10T08:53:46Z I've been conducting more research into the possibility of working overseas teaching English.  The amount of information out there is quite varied. 
 
China seems like the prime place to start if you don't have a Bachlor's degree.
Some places are pretty drab and gray and others are more bright and clean.  Check out this particular school:  http://www.tsheducation.net/tshengv1/index.asp
 
I wonder how well I would handle being in China.  Personally I haven't dreamed of travelling to Asian countries.  But, if my goal is to help where my skills can/will be used then why not consider China.  What would my options be to simply travel somewhere first and then start providing some kind of service. 
 
I need to create a spreadsheet which shows various countries and their visa permits.  If one can get a six month visitors visa then maybe I CAN do something. 
 
Anyone have any ideas?
 
Erin
 
 
--]]> Teaching English tag:blog.savovfaire.com,2008-03-25:8fabfc57-448d-4887-b8d5-941a5f38f48c SavovFaire 2008-03-26T09:58:13Z 2008-03-25T09:49:00Z
I have spent many hours researching the possibilities.  If you hold certain qualifications then it's fairly easy to get a work permit.  But, if you are an average Joe like me (I am a technical support specialst) then you can't get a work permit to save your life. 

The only option that I found was the Dutch American Friendship Treaty.  For over 60 years, the Dutch American Friendship Treaty has enabled USA citizens to start a business in Holland.   Successful applicants receive a residence permit which allows them to work on a self-employed basis,  or to represent American companies with business interests in Holland. 

The treaty gives American citizens preferential treatment to operate a business in the Netherlands.  In contrast to other non-EU nationals who want to work in the Netherlands on a self-employed basis, Americans applying under the treaty do not need to satisfy the 'essential Dutch economic interest' test which is applied to non-EU businesses.   This information came from this website: http://www.expatlaw.nl/dutch_american_friendship_treaty.htm

With that being said I believe that my only chance to work and live overseas is to teach English classes.  Now here is my problem:  No Bachelors degree.   I do have experience developing and conducting compuer training classes though.  I also know that my teaching style has been well recieved.

What to do.  What to do.  Conduct an experiement?  Yes!

Maybe I'll sign up here for certification

TEFL course & jobs]]> There are many things that I am interested in.&nbsp; One thing though has been consistent.. my desire to live and work overseas.&nbsp; <br> <br> I have spent many hours researching the possibilities.&nbsp; If you hold certain qualifications then it's fairly easy to get a work permit.&nbsp; But, if you are an average Joe like me (I am a technical support specialst) then you can't get a work permit to save your life.&nbsp; <br> <br> The only&nbsp;option that I found was the <em>Dutch American Friendship&nbsp;Treaty</em>.&nbsp; <font face="Georgia"><font face="Verdana">For over 60 years, the Dutch American Friendship Treaty has enabled USA citizens to start a business in ...</font></font> I have a dream tag:blog.savovfaire.com,2008-03-18:379d71e5-91ef-4635-b217-092cdc31f95c SavovFaire 2008-03-26T09:51:25Z 2008-03-18T08:09:00Z Working in technical support does allow me to help people solve problems.  I find that very gratifying.  It's kind of like being a doctor but if my patient "dies" I can bring it back to life.

Knowing this about myself I wonder what it is that I'm truly suppose to do with my life.  I've thought of various roles I could play, my strengths and weaknesses, experiences.  But I still haven't determined what my life's work will be.  I imagine myself out in the world helping where help is needed, inspiring where inspiration is in short supply. 

With this in mind I've decided to explore "voluntourism" as a way to see if I have the right stuff it takes to make this world just a little bit better for someone.  Voluntourism is basically you spending money (flight, program fee) to go somewhere and volunteer your time on community projects.  Apparently the expense incurred can be tax deductible. 

So, I thought I'd take some of my sad two-weeks a year vacation time and try one of these programs.  Some of you might wonder why I'd pay an organization to volunteer.  Well, I view this as an opportunity to see what it's like to be in, what could possible be classified as, a "third-world country" and working with the locals to build or educate.  Will I be too shy to actually get to know the locals, will the work be too exhausting, will I miss home badly, will I be miserable, will I fail? 

I can't think of any other way to explore this side of myself without giving up my stability until I KNOW that being a volunteer is what I want to do with my life.

While I'm in the planning phase of this adventure I'd like your input and suggestions.  I also plan to document, photograph and blog about my adventure.  Of course I will post links to organizations of interest.

Do you have any personal experience with this kind of thing?

While researching I came across this article:

» Voluntourism trips for do-gooders - Active- msnbc.com


Thank you for reading!
Erin

]]> Whenever some asks me what it is I like about my job my instant reaction is "I like to help people".&nbsp; <br> Working in technical support does allow me to help people solve problems.&nbsp; I find that very gratifying.&nbsp; It's kind of like being a doctor but if my patient "dies" I can bring it back to life.<br> <br> Knowing this about myself I wonder what it is that I'm truly suppose to do with my life.&nbsp; I've thought of various roles I could play, my strengths and weaknesses, experiences.&nbsp; But I still haven't determined what my life's work will be.&nbsp; I imagine ... Little Things tag:blog.savovfaire.com,2008-03-14:7e58b206-1872-4b50-9d38-ba313677aac6 SavovFaire 2008-03-26T09:52:38Z 2008-03-14T13:00:00Z
For example, here I am taking my lunch break. I drove to McDonalds, then Starbucks and stopped to get some stamps.  Pretty ordinary huh.

Well, as I was waiting at the stop light on the drive back I simply hummed a made up 5 second little tune.  Next thing I know I glance to the right and sitting right there was my insight.  This insight was in the form of an elderly gentleman with a cheshire grin and dancing eyes.  He had witnessed my little bebop.

He couldn't have possibly heard my humming.  But the effect of my positive mood made him smile and laugh a bit.  And because I caught him smiling at me I smiled even bigger and blushed.

I wonder if anyone saw his jolly face and cracked a smile because of it.

SO... SMILE WILL YA!

Erin

]]> Have you ever really and truly realized how you impact others?&nbsp; Even in the small everyday mundane things you, yeah you, influence others around you.<br> <br> For example, here I am taking my lunch break. I drove to McDonalds, then Starbucks and stopped to get some stamps.&nbsp; Pretty ordinary huh.<br> <br> Well, as I was waiting at the stop light on the drive back I simply hummed a made up 5 second little tune.&nbsp; Next thing I know I glance to the right and sitting right there was my insight.&nbsp; This insight was in the form of an elderly gentleman with a cheshire grin ...