I wrote this post months ago (I think October) before I came home for the first time. But as I mentioned in my last post, with my time in Algeria coming to an end, I'm determined to catch up on blogging and posting about all the things I haven't posted on but want to. I've never felt like a good writer. What I think makes my blogs (somewhat) good is my honest take. So, to keep things honest to how I'm thinking/feeling, and not too reflected up, I'm going to keep the old post below the same. It's now past, but I'm keeping it present, as it was when I wrote it.
Workin' it in Algeria
When I first arrived in Algeria, I felt brave just being here. But as the days passed, I began to feel like I was physically here, but not really part of this life. Many of our days are spent somewhat secluded from the outside world, mostly because there isn't a whole lot to go out and do here. But the chances of me living in another country again are slim, so I don't want to just be here... I want to immerse. It's easy to keep to yourself and only hang out with the one you love. It's harder to put yourself out there. But it's time for me to get out there.
I told Sean I was interested in teaching here, he got me an interview teaching English, and then I hesitated. Words are easy. Actions aren't always. Working here means going out on my own, without Sean, into this crazy, unknown world. And that's scary!
Before coming here, I was so lucky to talk to a very knowledgable woman, Ms. Kofe Berry. She told me that with every new experience comes excitement and fear. Depending on the experience, you may feel more excitement or more fear, but both will always be there. Thinking of this enpowers me, and encourages me to not let the fear overcome me. I'm here, I have to force myself outside the front door, into this world alone.
So I went to the interview with someone who worked at the Algerian Learning Center, a place for students and professionals to enroll who want to learn English. Being one of the few native English speaking people in the country, immediately got the job. Of all the job interviews I've been part of, this one I knew the least about what I would be doing going into it, and gained NO additional information from it. But in the spirit of don't just be, live, I took it.
I was assigned to a one-on-one situation and went to get my teaching materials. I was handed a "Market Leader" book... a BUSINESS book, and really, what do I know about business?? So I spent 3+ hours that night teaching myself Unit 4 business (as that was the chapter I was told the student was on) and planning my first lesson (each lesson lasts 2 hours-- longer than I've ever taught one subject, and it's not like I can have an adult do literacy centers!) While I was not feeling confident, I was prepared as I could be.
On my first day of teaching, I went to the taxi meeting spot. The company (ALC) I'm working for is supposed to provide transportation for me since Sean and I still don't have a car, and if I were paying for my own taxi, I would be paying more in taxi costs that I'm getting paid. Our sessions are supposed to start at 11am and it takes an hour to get to the bank (where my student works and the location of our sessions), so I get there at 9:50 to meet the taxi at 10, because I just HATE being late.
10:12 rolls around, still no taxi, so I call my boss. 25 minutes later she calls me back, saying that no one called to get me a taxi for today (despite me submitting a list of the days and times that I would be teaching... and this is the first day! We discussed this 2 days ago!) So she says the taxi has now been called and is on the way. Meanwhile, the place I am supposed to meet the taxi is around the corner from where we live, so I'm just standing on the side of the street, and what do men do to women randomly standing on the side of the street?? Oogle, blow kisses, and make faces. AND since the taxis here are not always clearly marked, I'm looking in each car that drives by to see if they are looking for me, which really only encourages the creepy gestures towards me. And really, I don't know what the men are saying to me, so I have to wait for lewd gestures to know if they are here to pick me up or just trying to "pick me up."
Long story short, after many, many phone calls to my boss, my taxi finally comes, and takes me to the wrong bank. I finally arrive at the correct bank at 12:35, sooooooo late. I meet my student, who is twice my age, in his office, and find out everything I had been told about it was wrong. He's not on unit 4, he's on unit 13, and I'm supposed to be working with him on company takeovers, merging, and vertical integration (whatever that is!) Luckily because I was so late we could only work together for an hour, but it was one of the longest hours of my life. The only thing that saved me from looking like a complete retard was that I spoke more english than he did and had the teacher's guide/answer key. How is a merger and a joint venture similar yet different? I DON'T KNOW, I TEACH 6-7 YEAR OLDS!
Because the student could only meet for an hour, I texted my boss to let her know I would be needing the taxi again in an hour. Needless to say, the venture getting home was as difficult as it was getting there. In 5 1/2 hours, I waited for cabs for 2 1/2 hours, rode in cabs for 2 hours, and felt like a retard trying to teach business for 1 hour.... and got paid $26. I came home ready to quit, angry as hell! I wrote an extremely bitchy blog (which I'm glad I didn't post) and complained to Sean for hours. And even though Sean supported the decision, there was this part of me in the back of my mind saying "Really? You're going to quit already? Quitter!" This job was not at all what I expected... but what did I expect? Things to be like in America? Basically.
So I didn't quit, and as things tend to do, they got better. My student is so appreciative of everything I teach him. What's funny to me is that he actually appreciates the little things I say/terms I use more than the business I try to teach him. In one session, he had to answer multuple choice questions about vocabulary. To help him, I suggested he get rid of answers that he knew weren't right. He wrote down "get rid of" as a term he wanted to remember, and asked me for the correct spelling. Again, really?? It turned out the common phrases I used, not even thinking, were the ones he latched on to most. He later told me that he always noticed when time was up, I said "I gotta go." I kind of felt bad for the slang I subconsciously said.... but he loved it!
The other part of this experience that improved was my taxi driver. A consistent driver was assigned to me, Malik, who became one of the few people that I would consider a friend in Algeria. This man (28 years old) became my closest friend to any Algerian. While his English wasn't great, he made every effort to speak with me, and told me at least 50 times how much he loves America! He also told me how he believes his dreams are in America, and how he thinks of me as his sister because of my good heart. I have never met anyone in my life who is so open with feelings, and connects to me so much! When I think of my fears interacting with Algerians, they seem so silly after meeting this man. I've taken taxis in DC and NYC and felt somehow judged. Malik was more warm and embracing than any taxi driver, and many people, that I've ever encountered. He offered to drive me to see the monuments in Algeria, and was eager to learn all about me.
New Additions After the Orignial Blog
While I was back in America, as most of you know, there was a situation where foreign hostages were taken from an oil plant in Algeria. It was concerning for myself and Sean, along with our friends and families. For this reason, I did not return to work. But, as someone who has lived, worked, and existed in this community, it breaks my heart that the deeds of some judges the whole. The presence of Al Quida does exist in Algeria, mostly in the south, hundreds of miles away from us. But the country is judged for the actions of this group. I did not return to work because of the few evil people that were seeking me harm. But I do believe, with all my heart, that the vast majority of people in this country are only looking to befriend me, and us as an American people. I have experienced the people I've associated with, and others, only loving Americans.
I will warn you, my readers. Another "I love Algerians" post will be coming. Those words I never thought I'd say I will be saying. These people are amazing. And while I still can't wait to come back to the US (to see my loved one/family/friends, for the hot showers, for the social sctivities, for everything that to me feels like normal) I will truly miss this world!
Workin' it in Algeria
When I first arrived in Algeria, I felt brave just being here. But as the days passed, I began to feel like I was physically here, but not really part of this life. Many of our days are spent somewhat secluded from the outside world, mostly because there isn't a whole lot to go out and do here. But the chances of me living in another country again are slim, so I don't want to just be here... I want to immerse. It's easy to keep to yourself and only hang out with the one you love. It's harder to put yourself out there. But it's time for me to get out there.
I told Sean I was interested in teaching here, he got me an interview teaching English, and then I hesitated. Words are easy. Actions aren't always. Working here means going out on my own, without Sean, into this crazy, unknown world. And that's scary!
Before coming here, I was so lucky to talk to a very knowledgable woman, Ms. Kofe Berry. She told me that with every new experience comes excitement and fear. Depending on the experience, you may feel more excitement or more fear, but both will always be there. Thinking of this enpowers me, and encourages me to not let the fear overcome me. I'm here, I have to force myself outside the front door, into this world alone.
So I went to the interview with someone who worked at the Algerian Learning Center, a place for students and professionals to enroll who want to learn English. Being one of the few native English speaking people in the country, immediately got the job. Of all the job interviews I've been part of, this one I knew the least about what I would be doing going into it, and gained NO additional information from it. But in the spirit of don't just be, live, I took it.
I was assigned to a one-on-one situation and went to get my teaching materials. I was handed a "Market Leader" book... a BUSINESS book, and really, what do I know about business?? So I spent 3+ hours that night teaching myself Unit 4 business (as that was the chapter I was told the student was on) and planning my first lesson (each lesson lasts 2 hours-- longer than I've ever taught one subject, and it's not like I can have an adult do literacy centers!) While I was not feeling confident, I was prepared as I could be.
On my first day of teaching, I went to the taxi meeting spot. The company (ALC) I'm working for is supposed to provide transportation for me since Sean and I still don't have a car, and if I were paying for my own taxi, I would be paying more in taxi costs that I'm getting paid. Our sessions are supposed to start at 11am and it takes an hour to get to the bank (where my student works and the location of our sessions), so I get there at 9:50 to meet the taxi at 10, because I just HATE being late.
10:12 rolls around, still no taxi, so I call my boss. 25 minutes later she calls me back, saying that no one called to get me a taxi for today (despite me submitting a list of the days and times that I would be teaching... and this is the first day! We discussed this 2 days ago!) So she says the taxi has now been called and is on the way. Meanwhile, the place I am supposed to meet the taxi is around the corner from where we live, so I'm just standing on the side of the street, and what do men do to women randomly standing on the side of the street?? Oogle, blow kisses, and make faces. AND since the taxis here are not always clearly marked, I'm looking in each car that drives by to see if they are looking for me, which really only encourages the creepy gestures towards me. And really, I don't know what the men are saying to me, so I have to wait for lewd gestures to know if they are here to pick me up or just trying to "pick me up."
Long story short, after many, many phone calls to my boss, my taxi finally comes, and takes me to the wrong bank. I finally arrive at the correct bank at 12:35, sooooooo late. I meet my student, who is twice my age, in his office, and find out everything I had been told about it was wrong. He's not on unit 4, he's on unit 13, and I'm supposed to be working with him on company takeovers, merging, and vertical integration (whatever that is!) Luckily because I was so late we could only work together for an hour, but it was one of the longest hours of my life. The only thing that saved me from looking like a complete retard was that I spoke more english than he did and had the teacher's guide/answer key. How is a merger and a joint venture similar yet different? I DON'T KNOW, I TEACH 6-7 YEAR OLDS!
Because the student could only meet for an hour, I texted my boss to let her know I would be needing the taxi again in an hour. Needless to say, the venture getting home was as difficult as it was getting there. In 5 1/2 hours, I waited for cabs for 2 1/2 hours, rode in cabs for 2 hours, and felt like a retard trying to teach business for 1 hour.... and got paid $26. I came home ready to quit, angry as hell! I wrote an extremely bitchy blog (which I'm glad I didn't post) and complained to Sean for hours. And even though Sean supported the decision, there was this part of me in the back of my mind saying "Really? You're going to quit already? Quitter!" This job was not at all what I expected... but what did I expect? Things to be like in America? Basically.
So I didn't quit, and as things tend to do, they got better. My student is so appreciative of everything I teach him. What's funny to me is that he actually appreciates the little things I say/terms I use more than the business I try to teach him. In one session, he had to answer multuple choice questions about vocabulary. To help him, I suggested he get rid of answers that he knew weren't right. He wrote down "get rid of" as a term he wanted to remember, and asked me for the correct spelling. Again, really?? It turned out the common phrases I used, not even thinking, were the ones he latched on to most. He later told me that he always noticed when time was up, I said "I gotta go." I kind of felt bad for the slang I subconsciously said.... but he loved it!
The other part of this experience that improved was my taxi driver. A consistent driver was assigned to me, Malik, who became one of the few people that I would consider a friend in Algeria. This man (28 years old) became my closest friend to any Algerian. While his English wasn't great, he made every effort to speak with me, and told me at least 50 times how much he loves America! He also told me how he believes his dreams are in America, and how he thinks of me as his sister because of my good heart. I have never met anyone in my life who is so open with feelings, and connects to me so much! When I think of my fears interacting with Algerians, they seem so silly after meeting this man. I've taken taxis in DC and NYC and felt somehow judged. Malik was more warm and embracing than any taxi driver, and many people, that I've ever encountered. He offered to drive me to see the monuments in Algeria, and was eager to learn all about me.
New Additions After the Orignial Blog
While I was back in America, as most of you know, there was a situation where foreign hostages were taken from an oil plant in Algeria. It was concerning for myself and Sean, along with our friends and families. For this reason, I did not return to work. But, as someone who has lived, worked, and existed in this community, it breaks my heart that the deeds of some judges the whole. The presence of Al Quida does exist in Algeria, mostly in the south, hundreds of miles away from us. But the country is judged for the actions of this group. I did not return to work because of the few evil people that were seeking me harm. But I do believe, with all my heart, that the vast majority of people in this country are only looking to befriend me, and us as an American people. I have experienced the people I've associated with, and others, only loving Americans.
I will warn you, my readers. Another "I love Algerians" post will be coming. Those words I never thought I'd say I will be saying. These people are amazing. And while I still can't wait to come back to the US (to see my loved one/family/friends, for the hot showers, for the social sctivities, for everything that to me feels like normal) I will truly miss this world!
The attitude and outlook of people in that part of the world simply amazes and inspires me, as well. While I have never visited Algeria, I hope to one day, and your experiences with the people there remind me so much of the experiences I've had with people in other various countries in Africa. I am still a believer - anyone who goes to Africa leave s a bit of their heart and soul there. I know I did.
ReplyDeleteSorry my post was a little dicombobulated at the end.... forgot to delete the other old part I wasn't planning on posting! (fixed now)
ReplyDeleteBut you're so right! As someone else who has traveled this part of the world-- these people are amazing!! I wish everyone could have this experience, so they could truly know what people are like and judge them fot the people they are, and not what the media protrays them to be! Everyone who travels to Africa absolutely leaves part of their heart and soul here. I'm soooo happy to have someone that has also been here and understands that!!