Gringo In Peru

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about our immigration status lately so let’s clear them up.

All our paperwork is filed with the Department of Immigration. This entitles us to a case number with the Department of State. (That’s a lot of departments keeping track of us).

Our lawyer says this process should take about a year from when the paperwork was received. We sent everything in late September/early October of ‘08. If everything goes as planned, we should get the green light to return to the U.S. this fall.

Vanessa just signed a contract with her new school, which here runs March-December. This could delay our return until the holiday season. Just in time for winter!

There are no guarantees. Immigration is an in-exact science.

Today was the second, and last interview at the language school.

I thought things kinda got off on the wrong foot. I was in the office in plenty of time, but my interview started a half hour later than scheduled. When I was finally called, the human resources woman had my name right, but nothing else. According to their records I was a 47 year old British man.

Another hitch, she did not speak good English. She asked me if I would consider having the interview in Spanish. I said I would likely understand most of what she said, but would have trouble answering in Spanish. I tried to keep things simple and found myself re-asking many questions for clarity.

One thing I was concerned about was where (if hired) I would work. I found out all (not just beginning) teachers are assigned to various campuses depending on demand.  This means I could spend one month teaching a morning class at one campus, the next month I might teach an evening course in another part of town.

Each class last 18 days. Teachers work six hours a day for three weeks. I would be paid an hourly wage with some premiums. There’s a daily transportation stipend and bonuses for correcting tests and teaching advanced classes.

It also seemed like there would be more benefits after the first year of employment, besides a raise. I explained to them my situation and asked what would happen if I didn’t complete a year contract. She told me I could quit with no penalties.

If I make the cut after this meeting, I’ll get an invitation to start training on February 5th.

It’s two weeks of learning how to teach, followed by a week of me observing classes. Even during this “training” period the school can decide they don’t want me. If I make it past all that, I’m hired.

I would tell you what kind of wage they are offering, but its kind of embarrassing considering what I’m used to. Really, its not that much less than Vanessa was making at her last school as a classroom teacher. Plus, it seems like if you do a good job the bonuses can add up quick.

I left with a list of 16 pieces of paperwork I’ll need to have, if I’m offered a contract.

So far this is my only job option. No other calls have come my way, but that doesn’t mean I won’t stop applying elsewhere.

Now I wait for the invitation.

It was front page news today that Wal-Mart has its sights set on Peru. So indulge me as I try to dust off my script writing skills for you with the details. I’ll even write it in all caps, just like it was going on the tee-vee macheen.

WAL-MART PLANS TO MAKE A PUSH IN PERU.

THE WORLD’S LARGEST RETAILER SAYS IT PLANS TO OPEN SOME 20 STORES HERE IN THE COMING YEARS.

THE EXPANSION PLANS BECAME PUBLIC AFTER WAL-MART BOUGHT A MAJORITY STAKE IN A CHILEAN GROCER EARLIER THIS MONTH.

WAL-MART OPERATES OVER 120 STORES IN SOUTH AMERICA.

How was that? Still broadcast quality?

No matter how hard you try, you can’t escape Wal-Mart’s grip.

No continent is safe.

I just got the call for the second interview at the language institute.

It’s tomorrow afternooon. Who knows, I might have a job by this time tomorrow.

Not for me so much, but for the rest of the house.

Norma is still M.I.A. Her sister Reyna continues to work. Reyna cleaning leaves much to be desired.

Today Mita says if Norma isn’t back by February Reyna’s toast.

Just another day of maid drama, which isn’t really that dramatic.

P.S. I’m considering joining the Facebook revolution. I’m still not sold on it, but all the kids are doing it.

Getting a job seems like a never-ending quest.

At least this job.

Seriously, this must be the 4th or 5th post about the job.

I found out it’s all part of the “process” that’s far from over.

Today was the first of what could turn into two interviews.

There were two others waiting with me, including a guy I struck up conversation with during the psychological exam.

We were all handed a sheet giving us background on the positions. If we got the job, we would have to be available Monday through Saturday from 3:30-10:30 p.m. Although there could be some “daytime” shifts available. We would undergo a two week training period (unpaid). During our first year we would be expected to take part in peer reviews, teacher workshops and other work related activities (also unpaid).

Each of us were called in for the interview. The two guys before me were each in there for five minutes. Then it was my turn.

There were three people in the room, A Peruvian man, a British woman and what sounded like an American man. We went over the basic get to know your questions.

The tribunal told me Spanish is not needed. They mentioned students in the basic classes learn more when no Spanish is spoken.

I was also asked if I would be comfortable with kids. I mentioned my experience as a mentor to 2nd and 3rd graders in Sioux Falls and that my wife is an elementary school teacher. They all seemed impressed.

They mentioned the next steps in this employment odyssey. There would be one more interview, then a two-week “crash course” in teaching starting in February. After the training we would observe classes and start working in March. Keep in mind, all the training and observation would be unpaid.If you make it through all that, you are under three months probation, then you become a full-fledged staff member.

For the first year you are assigned wherever there’s demand. There are six locations all across Lima. This means I could (if hired) spend a few weeks teaching on one campus, a few weeks more at another. After a year you can asked to be placed wherever you want.

In all my interview lasted about 10 minutes, double the guy before me. I found out I was 24th out of 25 interviews for the day. Tomorrow they are interviewing another 20-25 people. They did not say how many jobs need to be filled.

I would be called at the end of the week if I made it past this round.

I didn’t ask about pay. I’m regretting that now, but felt that would be too forward considering there’s another job interview. It’s an important. Vanessa and I are practically going bankrupt just shuttling me to all these tests and interviews, spending about $8 a cab ride.

There are two locations close to our house, but I’m guessing training will be at the main campus which means finding some creative solutions to shuttle me to and from work.

Vanessa is skeptical. I am too. Not about its legitimacy, but this has been a long, costly process for the unemployed. I’m a bit shocked training is unpaid.  Vanessa says that’s common here. Americans would throw a fit (and a few more things) if they were expected “volunteer” for over two weeks, before going “on the clock”. Actually, it might be illegal.

If I make the cut and offered a job we are going to have to crunch all the numbers to figure out if I can truly make any money at this job.

So far no call from the language institute.

Two hours after this original post the language institute called, twice. In the span of 5 minutes the secretary rescheduled a personal interview with me. It’s tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon.

I’m not worried, they told me calls would come sometime between now and Wednesday.

Being one who doesn’t put all his eggs in one basket, I sent off three more resumes today.

So the hunt continues….with some good news.

Vanessa and I got more than a bowl of cereal yesterday at breakfast, we found ourselves in the midst of an ant invasion.

The sink was covered with hundreds thousands of the little brown guys (and girls). I followed the ants out of the house, across one wall and about eight feet (2.5 meters) along the adjoining wall. They were marching neatly in four lines that looked like two going in and two going out. While V cleaned up inside, I drowned them all with a garden hose. After the drowning we put down some powder and the ants were not heard from again. People 1, Ants 0.

They got in to the house through a hole in the weather stripping under the window. There must have been something in the sink that attracted them. We figured out our fill in maid (more on that later in this post) didn’t wash the dishes, they were just rised off, leaving behind some food residue which in this case became ant food.

Last Sunday the newest house maid Norma left for her hometown. For those of you who don’t remember, she had some child care issues here in Lima. Norma said her village is so remote, the bus only stops there once a week. As a replacement, her 15-year-old sister Reyna took over cleaning duties. This is Reyna’s first trip out of the village. She’s quiet, shy and not experienced.

Yesterday was her day off and Helena (the other maid) wasn’t back yet, V and I went into full cleaning mode. We cleaned out the sink, did all the dishes, took out the garbage and mopped the floors.

I think a lot about the maids and their position in Peruvian society. Many come to Lima when they are Reyna’s age, from rural areas, looking for work. For women being a maid seems to be the best option. Men mostly find themselves working as neighborhood security guards or personal chauffeurs. These jobs pay about $200-250 a month.

For many this is the best they can be. Some employers do encourage their maids to pursue some sort of job training, breaking the maid cycle. After all finding a replacement isn’t that tough, there’s always somebody coming off the bus.

Look at our house, with the temporary addition of Reyna we’ve seen five maids through in about five months. Some people seem to go through maids weekly. While others keep maids for years, becoming part of the family.

It’s kind of sad. I’m always hoping for some sort of national maid revolt for better pay and better treatment. But to steal a cliche “you can’t bite the hand that feeds you”. People in certain classes feel they are “above” housework and people in the lower classes need work. In some cases, both parents work and a maid helps out by doing the things mom and dad just don’t have time for.

As I’ve said before, most of you reading this blog would have a maid, maybe not somebody who’s with you 24-7 like this house. Instead somebody who comes in a few days a week to clean and maybe do some cooking.

If these women were not maids, I don’t know what they would do. Sure there are plenty of McJobs in the service sector here, but many of those require a high school diploma and some college to get considered. Thus the cycle of maidom continues.

Today’s psychological exam was quite a trip.

Twenty of us were herded into a classroom where the instruction was all in Spanish. Which was strange because so far, we’ve done everything in English.

Needless to say, this caused some problems. The first thing they asked us to do was fill out a job application that was all in Spanish. The six gringos like me who barely speak Spanish were asking so many questions they put us in a separate room. Thankfully the guy who I ran into on the stairway after Monday’s took over interpreting duties. He’s a Peruvian who studied in Florida. He should be given a job on principle alone.

For the first part of the psychological exam we were given a blank sheet of paper. We were then asked to draw a picture of somebody in the rain and write a story about him or her. Using my best stick figures and wavy lines I created a character, on his or her way to a big interview.

Next, we were given a sheet with seven boxes, each with a few dots or lines in them. We were then asked to use the lines in another set of drawings. Gave each drawing a title and were asked which drawing we liked the best, the least, which was easiest to draw and which was the hardest to draw. Again, second graders put my art skills to shame so this was hard.

For the third portion of the test we were handed another blank sheet of paper and asked to write our personal story. We could write as much as we wanted.

The next test consisted of a series of dominoes printed on paper. For each set we were asked to complete the sequence. There were 60 plus sets, and we were given 20 minutes to finish it. I made it though 32 questions before the test was yanked away. Others in the group were allowed to keep working for a few extra minutes even though we all started at the same time.

We were then asked to wait in the hall for our “interview”.  While there I struck up a conversation with some folks and overheard a few more. There were three Americans and the rest were either Brits or Aussies. All of us were there for the same reason, we married a Peruvian. Some chose to try Peru out for a while, while others were waiting like us for the green light to come back to our respective homelands. I would say half of us were in the 25-35 range the rest were easily over 40.

During the interview (remember our interviewer did not speak Spanish) we were asked the usual “get to know you” type questions. What brings you to Peru? Why do you want to work here? etc.

I tried to keep my answers short, since we were working through an interpreter. The poor guy was doing enough. He was roped into a duty he didn’t expect. Before my interview I called him a “saint”, because with out him all of us would likely fail. Each interview lasted about 5 minutes. Many of the candidates came out visibly frustrated.

Before we left we were told calls will be made next Monday through Wednesday. If you get a call back, you have a job.

The whole ordeal took close to 3 hours.

This was by far the sloppiest part of the process. The other tests were given with standardized test-like precision. Both had clear instructions in English.

My theory was today’s test was given by outsiders who don’t work at the school. The non-gringos taking the test seemed like students, not perspective teachers. The rest of the test takers I recognized from the other two tests. This would not be too far-fetched. Near the school’s entrance there are always signs pointing students to the various tests given that day.

We were also given a short warning given for this test. Yesterday a secretary called me around 4 p.m. telling me I needed to come down to the office at 2 the next afternoon for the psych test. That’s about 22 hours notice. The last two tests there was at least five days in-between the notice and the test date.

V told me not to get too upset about it, adding this is how many businesses in Peru work.

We’ll just have to see if the phone rings next week.

Gringo was down for a while this morning (January 23). There were some server issues that have been resolved.