Reflections

Amethyst and Sapphire – Reflections on their Journey

After an absolute whirlwind flood of experiences during the last 6 months (including the months of preparation) the nature of the journey has changed for Amethyst and Sapphire. Where their life had been a busy river negotiating a series of spectacular waterfalls, exciting rapids and unexpected turns, the pace has calmed to a strong river flowing steadily along their chosen path.

Finding work, finding a final place to call home and that sought after feeling of belonging, has allowed our two travelling Soul-Partners time to reflect on, and appreciate their journey thus far. While there have been unexpected twists and turns, and speedbumps along the way, there is a feeling of confirmation. “Yes, this is the right journey and yes this is the right person with whom I am meant to be sharing this journey.” To realise this, to know this and to believe this in one’s heart and soul is the ultimate Life and Love affirmation.

When two souls have shared so much in so short a time there is a special bond that goes far beyond a relationship between two people who love each other. This journey is bringing the two together in the love, spirit, wonder and beauty of the Universe in ways that seem magical yet are so real.

And in fact, keeping it real is what it is all about. Holding their experiences up to their expectations and early imaginings is where the true beauty and value of this journey is seen. Some things are as they were expected, some slightly different and others vastly contrasting to what they expected. Life in Cambodia is both everything and nothing like what they imagined.

Don’t be afraid to try anything.

Don’t be afraid to start anything.

Don’t be afraid to fail at anything.

Don’t be afraid to succeed at anything.

Always keep love alive in everything.

Keep the person you love in your life in everything.

Share everything in your life with the person you love.

Support each other in everything, good and not so good.

Life in Cambodia – the Real

After an incredible 3 months since leaving everything they call home, Amethyst and Sapphire are learning to adapt and are slowly adjusting to normal day to day life in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

They left their beautiful country, family and friends with high hopes and expectations of finding soul and spiritual enlightenment and although this soul journey has taken their relationship to so many different levels, everything is not what they expected.  Our eternally optimistic soul partners will however not be disillusioned and are determined to find their little piece of heaven and home in this very busy and interesting town.

It has however been a reality check and as they promised to keep it real, here are some facts for those who have the romantic idea that TEFL teaching in Asia is a means to an exciting adventure with overseas travel to experience a different culture while earning a reasonable income.

Money and transport

• For South Africans coming to Cambodia who think the cost of living here is cheaper. It is, but only once you start earning $’s.  The exchange rate since in Cambodia over the past few weeks has ranged between 12$ to 14$ to the SA rand.
• A meal depending on where you eat can range from 2$ = R26.50 (Khmer meal) to 14$ = R187.00 (Pizza) and that’s without drinks.
• Transport is also very expensive.  A Tuk Tuk is your most common means of travel and it will cost you between 1$ to 5$ every time you need to go somewhere so to travel around town could cost you up to 10$ = R130.00 per day.  Unless of course you have balls of steel and are an adrenaline junkie who thrives on risk, you can always hire a motorbike or bicycle (more affordable).  The traffic on the roads cannot be explained.  You need to be here and see it for yourself.  Although Cambodians are supposed to drive on the right side of the road, they use the left side as it suits them so you have vehicles going in all different directions and there are no stop streets or traffic lights at most intersections.  No one stops and waits and hardly anyone uses indicators, they all just drive, so you can just imagine . . . . .
• To live Western costs a fortune here if you are not earning dollars.
• Accommodation is plentiful and you will find somewhere affordable. It is worth the while to scout around and check out the local Facebook pages though. For long-term leases, you can also work through an agency. Go and view the premises though. Do not rely on Facebook photo’s.
• Some areas still have rather bad roads (from tarred roads to sandy (muddy in the wet season) roads. The latter mostly found as one moves away from the main roads and town centre.
• Most rental accommodation is usually fully well-furnished and equipped. This includes kitchen appliances, flat-screen TV’s, Cambodian cable TV channels (with a few English channels) and pretty decent Wi-Fi.
• Wi-Fi. Well, there is free Wi-Fi everywhere. Restaurants, some shops, banks, drinking holes; almost all offer free Wi-Fi. The first thing one looks for is a sign with the Wi-Fi password. The great thing is that you almost never need to use your mobile data.
• Shopping in Siem Reap is quite a pleasure. There are a large number of supermarkets to choose from as well as electronic, appliance and clothing stores. You will find almost anything you are looking for, somewhere. Remember to add in the cost of your transport to your grocery budget.
• Mobile phone shops and kiosks take the place of the 7-11’s found in abundance on Koh Samui. Sapphire, while he and Amethyst were walking around town, found that in one stretch of road, the average was that every second or third shop was a Mobile phone shop or kiosk.
• The language barrier can be problematic but it is not insurmountable. You will usually find someone who can communicate in English. And learn how to mime. Pretend you’re playing Charades. That really helps. Often a shop owner will call one of their children to interpret which also works, sometimes. There have been some funny moments when our two travelers have been asking information from someone and after a few minutes, walk away and look at each other. “Did you get that?” “Nope.” “Me neither.” “Do you think he understood us?” “Nope.”  “Me neither.”

Teaching English as a Foreign Language – the Real

• Do not think that all fellow South Africans are acting in your best interest just because they are South Africans like you.  Keep in mind that the TEFL industry is a lucrative business for many expats.  (This is not directed at anyone specific as we have had the pleasure of meeting fellow South African expats who have been here to assist us when needed).

Do you need a degree?

• If you do not have a degree, do not be misinformed as there are TEFL recruiters who will recruit you even though they are aware that you will be teaching illegally should you accept a teaching post in certain parts of Asia like Thailand, Vietnam, China (to name a few).
• If you do not have a degree, consider teaching in Cambodia where you are able to find teaching posts without a degree.How much money do you need?

   

• Ensure that you have sufficient funds (besides your travel costs, the course fees and accommodation during course) to support yourself during and for at least 2 months after completing the course. Have at least R30 000 ($2 230) to spare as a very bare minimum.
• You will also need funds to pay for a business visa, travel costs to Siem Reap where there is work and deposits and advance rentals for accommodation. (Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville also other options).

Finding a job and Teaching

• The best way of finding teaching jobs is to e-mail your updated CV to schools in the area you are settling in to arrange for an interview. Your CV should be relatively short and concise, focusing on your goal to teach.
• You are required to sign work contracts which would end up costing you should you wish to end the contract. So please ensure you read the contracts carefully before signing.
• Think about, and be sure as to what levels you wish to teach. E.g. Adult, Kindergarten, Primary, Intermediate, English as a second language, or conversational English.
• Kindergarten and preschool posts are generally only offered to female teachers.
• Primary school posts usually mean Home Room Teacher. You will be required to teach all subjects on the curriculum.
• Intermediate (probably) and High School (definitely) will require you to have a relevant teaching degree and preferably teaching experience.
• Most schools do not provide structured lessons so you will need to spend your free time planning lessons, researching and finding resources and preparing worksheets. This can take up a lot of your time.
• The Asian children/scholars are no more respectful than South African children/scholars.  They are young adolescent adults and in general can be just as opinionated, rude, disrespectful and disinterested in learning. Don’t be disillusioned into thinking that you will have a classroom full of obedient, eager and hard-working students.  Classroom management is just as important here as anywhere else.

This is not meant to be a negative view, merely keeping it real. The advice we are passing on is based on maintaining a life-style similar to one lived in South Africa. There are definitely cheaper options such as using Backpacker Hostels for accommodation (from about $2 a night) and you can probably survive on fresh fruit and food from the markets. Instead of using transport, Siem Reap is also relatively small enough to walk to most places if you don’t mind walking a few kilometers a day.

The journey of Amethyst and Sapphire continues, and they are looking forward to settling into their new home at the end of the month. After only a few days of looking, they found a wonderful new place to call home. Away from the city center and within walking distance of work, this will be their port for the next year.