Part 11.b: Finding Refuge in Mexico

Something had happened to me in Ecuador. I hadn't felt the fight or flight feeling so intensely since I'd left my life behind in the US. I just had to go so we quickly figured out the cheapest flight out of Ecuador and to....SOMEWHERE! Anywhere was okay with me but since we'd only spent 2 weeks in Ecuador it was a financial hit to buy another plane ticket compared to the month at a time travel we had been doing. And the lucky winner was....

Playa del Carmen, Mexico for my first time and Chelsea's second! The airbnb we decided we could afford was one room with a queen sized bed and a bathroom. It had a little table with two chairs, enough storage for our clothes and a mini fridge.

Our shared outdoor kitchen was something to get used to but hey, at least it was on our floor of the building! For a simple oatmeal breakfast I had to put the oatmeal with any mix ins in a pot with water (the water from the tap was not for consumption), the milk in bowls to add in towards the end of cooking and put it all on a tray to carry outside past several apartments to the open air kitchen. After cooking, I would carry it all back to our room to eat. Then back again to clean up. I cooked 2-3 meals a day that month! It was different! Occasionally, someone left a mess to get around but usually the neighbors were all pretty good about keeping it clean. It didn't take long to get used to these extra steps in cooking and cleaning and I enjoyed doing it outside. The only thing I hated was forgetting anything and having to make extra trips to the room!

Sadly, we were there in HIGH seaweed season and the beach that was a 5 minute walk from our apartment smelled so badly most of the time. I think we were able to get in the water 2 or 3 times. That didn't stop us from taking lots of walks and enjoying Playa del Carmen but man, it was HOT! I usually don't like air conditioning because it dries me out but I was super grateful for it there.

My main focus at that point wasn't the beach anyway; it was finding a job. Ever since I had earned my TEFL certification I was combing through websites trying to find a good fit. It was tough. Most good jobs in the field (as I knew would be the case) were reserved for people with bachelor's degrees ( I should have listened to my father!) and my life had been spent as a homemaker and a homeschooling mom. I did college for 2 years, but nobody cares about that.

Besides, after traveling the previous few months with Chelsea (and off and on with Nicholas), I wasn't excited about moving to and being tied down to a random country. My children had always been my top priority and Chelsea and I have always been close but these family changes created more complexity in our relationship. Although I was still attending my support group online and meeting with my counselor on the phone weekly (two things that really saved my sanity), Chelsea brought a different element to my healing. Nothing is ever perfect but often when one of us was having a bad day, the other was in a great place to listen and we both knew our story so well.

So I decided to focus on online teaching opportunities. Again, the best paying gigs are for teachers with degrees. I found a platform called Cambly. They only hire people with native level English. No degree or certification is necessary, though I do not regret getting my TEFL for a second; it really boosted my confidence in a time when it was at its lowest. They advertise, "native English tutors" from all walks of life. The pay is terrible by US standards; $10.20 an hour for the adult platform, which also has kids, and $12 an hour for Cambly Kids, which is exclusively kids and has extra steps to be approved. Like I said, the pay wasn't great for the US but in all of the countries I was finding myself in it would be pretty good money if I had access.

I decided to apply and since Cambly is like the ultimate dating site of English learning I had to create a profile and a video about myself. The trick it seemed was to include everything you know about or are interested in and speak slowly and clearly with a smile and good intentions. For me this sounded easier than it was and I recorded myself over and over until I was okay with a video. Chelsea added subtitles for me, which I don't think I have seen on any other profile videos and I think it was helpful to make me stand out. I submitted my application and was promptly told to redo it with sleeves (I was wearing a tank top-Playa del Carmen is hot!) as bare shoulders are a no no. This stressed me out because I had to record again but at this point I knew my script and even though it took me several tries, I got the job done!

I guess my profile is good because within a couple of days I had access and could open any available hours I wanted...terrifying! The first half hour lesson scared me to death but within minutes I knew I could do this. The curriculum was cookie cutter easy to follow. Some students were just beginners but many students only chose me because of similar interests and were advanced enough to just practice English with conversation. I found friends all over the world in my students and as many became regulars we had deep, meaningful conversations about everything! I have since moved to the kids' platform but I learn as much from them as I did from the adults and they learn form me. It is emotionally rewarding work. Being able to choose how much I work or don't work by simply choosing to open or close hours and being able to work from anywhere with a strong internet connection are benefits I am super grateful for even though the pay could be better!

We did do a few extra fun things in that month. We visited Chichén Itzám some awesome ruins. We swam in a cenote with the fun opportunity do some cliff jumping, which I always love. And we did find some beautiful water to swim in now and again! But the relief that I found in being able to produce an income that I believed I could live on lifted me in such a way that I will always remember Playa del Carmen as a turning point in my life.

If you are considering tutoring on Cambly please feel free to ask any questions. Also, if you decide to apply, use this link...https://www.cambly.com/invite/4Y3MW44V?st=110624&sc=4

I hear that if you get hired, they'll give me some money! LOL!