I awake at 4:30 am. My mind swirls with last minute details. Don’t forget this or that. So I’m rushing around my DC apartment. And just as bread pops from the toaster for breakfast, the airport taxi arrives. It’s 10 minutes early. Yikes!
The driver asks me, “Where are you going? Business, Vacation?” “No,” I say, “I’m going to teach English in Mexico.” He tells me about his experience of learning English when he came from Egypt. I congratulate him on his success.
With this snippet of conversation, I’m reminded of the value of teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Since 2009 when I was in the US Peace Corps in Ukraine, I have been teaching. I’ve taught in person and more recently via Zoom. I even had a chance to participate in a US State Department 12 week teaching seminar. Helping others learn a second language is such a privileged.
At the airport, I lug my bags towards check-in. I have 35 pounds in a trunk, a carry-on suitcase, a backpack and a magic stick. It’s a new addition to my entourage. Some might call it a walking stick or cane, but I prefer the idea of a magic stick.
My magic stick bestows benefits. The check-in agent seeing my struggles offers to wheel my bags down a long hall to the drop off spot. Then she arranges for a chair to take me through security. A special passage-way brings me to the front of the line. My age and the magic stick wave me through requirement for shoe removal and belt inspection. At the plane entrance, I’m invited into early boarding. I’m the first to enter. It’s like magic.
Yes, I’m not as agile as I was during my Peace Corps Service (Ukraine 2009 – 2011 and Macedonia 2015 - 2016). Mild arthritis and tight leg muscles have made walking a bit painful.
My good friend, Darryl, who’s a personal trainer, has shown me some leg stretches that are making a real difference. Those routines keep me going along with Aleve and pain creams when needed. Of course my magic stick has become a silent helper too. Like we use to say during my AARP days, “I may be getting older, but it beats the alternative.” I’m so fortunate.
The trip is uneventful until I land in Dallas. I check my phone messages and see that we are landing just a few gates from my connection. Great. I can easily walk to the next gate with time to spare.
But then, I begin wondering. Why isn’t my connecting flight showing on the marque. Oh no, it’s a dreaded gate change. Thank you, not American. Not only is the flight at a new gate, but it’s in a new terminal. No time to get a chair so I’m hoofing it. Terminal A to Terminal C. Ugh, what a walk! But, I make it...barely. This time, I’m the last to get on the plane. The two passengers sharing my seating row sigh as I fill the remaining seat.
He takes care of the paper work and brings me to an imposing podium. But no worries. The official knows my personal assistant and they joke together. “Americano,” and with a quick passport check, I’m in Mexico for the next 4 months. Indeed, it’s RAPIDO.! I thank him with a generous tip and get into a taxi. I’m Ajijc bound.
As often happens….When I say that I teach English, a conversation starts. My driver tells me in a mixture of Spanish and English that he wants to learn more. I compliment him on pronunciation and tell him a want to learn more Spanish. But it’s difficult. “Not for me,” he smiles. Back and forth we converse in broken English and broken Spanish. I say, “I’m tu maestro de ingles and you are my Spanish teacher.” We both chuckle at the idea of teaching each other in a taxi from the airport. Amazing.
I offer to send him my guide for Independent ESL Learning. I developed it during the Covid years. Learning any language requires planning, practice and persistence. It’s the big 3 Ps of tackling any challenge. With the Internet, we no longer have to depend on a class or teacher. We can become our own teacher using all the resources that are just a click away.
Of course, there's a problem. Hours can be wasted searching the Internet. That’s why I created my Independent Learning Guide. It curates links and gives descriptions of what can be found behind each. Students can choose a comprehensive multi-week course or mix and match. They can focus on any one of the basic skills – listening, speaking, reading, writing with videos, games, songs, movies as well as more traditional worksheets and instructions.
If you or someone you know would like a copy of this Independent Learning Guide, email me at juddolphin@gmail.com
We arrive in Ajijic too soon. Our lessons end. I hope to hear from Abraham again. He promises to update me... in English.
My new apartment is located about two blocks from the main plaza on a side street. It use to be a hacienda. The young owners have converted it into an Airbnb. It’s charming. A large main room has a wall of windows including some with stain glass. Lovely. Another wall includes an ample kitchen in front of a dinning table. Chairs and a small sofa complete a conversation corner. Hooray, I’ll be able to entertain friends. For me this space has Feng Shui. I feel positive and creative here. Wonderful.
But now for some rest. It’s been a long day and I’m in a good place with memories to be made and savored. Yes, I’m traveling again….
