Montanita
So, it is with great trepidation that P and I arrive in Montanita. We are feeling like we know nothing about English or how to teach it (true) so why did we think we could manage to do our CELTA certification (well respected certificate in teaching English- also known to be very intense and difficult)?. Also, we want to keep travelling and we are feeling a bit wary of what the other students might be like as we’re going to be stuck with each other for the next 5 weeks. We are in the first course to be held at this beachside location, near Montanita as usually the courses are held in Guayaquil, a nearby big city. It was billed as CELTA in paradise but we were warned by the main trainer that it would be a rustic setting with lots of insects and other natural irritations!
We arrive in Kamala eco resort and immediately feel better when we are greeted by Pablo and Raul, two brothers who own Kamala. They’re both really friendly and relaxed and we are shown to our huge cabana. It is brand new and although pretty basic we think we’ll be comfortable enough for the next wee while. The manager is Santiago, an absolutely lovely guy from Quito who helps us with everything!
One by one we meet the other people we will be spending the next 5 weeks with, our main tutor is an American man called Jaem whi is hilarious and super interesting. He is training Vicky who is also an experienced trainer in the UK and will be runningh the course after the first session. Vicky is lovely and after the first week it becomes clear that we’re going to get on well as she’s so amazingly helpful and has a brilliant British sense of humour. The third trainer is Ellen, an American woman who has worked in 17 countries in her life and is also so easy to get on with. So far so good, the trainers are great.
The other students are;
From America; Kevin, Kat, Jessie, Justin, Tim, (all early 20s, Jessie and Justin are married)
From England, Matt, Mandy (cousins both early 20s)
From Sweden, John (has travelled loads, about my age)
From Ecuador, Karina, Theresa (super sweet chicas in their 30s)
Everyone has really distinct and different personalities and on paper it would seem that we wouldn’t get on. However, we are immediately brought together as a group by all the many problems of the course ie, probs with water, electricity, internet, crappy printers that won’t print, intial poor meals, not enough cabanas built for everyone etc, etc. The guys at Kamala work hard to fix these problems and soon we’re eating well at least. Although these things are a pain in the arse we all get on really well with each other and the social aspect of the course is fantastic. Although we’re in a gorgeous location we don’t get much time to enjoy it as we’re working so hard. Fortuantely at the weekends we can blow off steam in nearby Montanita where there are $2 cocktails and great places for dancing. We also have a salsa class one night which is loads of fun, with incredibly gorgeous teachers. Our students are really good fun too and we have a couple of great nights out with them. P quietly celebrates his birthday with cocktails and burgers in the town.
We also have a day trip to Isla de la Plata (poor mans Galapagos) and we get to go surfing again which is just so much fun!
I try to go running on the beach most mornings and the two dogs in Kamala adopt me and Pablo and sometimes come running too. They are amazingly sweet but smelly, we fall in love with them and as always miss Ben! There are also a selection of very cute kittens at kamala and often we get visits from horses and giant cow beasts!
The academic aspect nearly kills me and before my first lesson i have a wee melt down- thanks again for your help Vicky! The course is incredibly tough and we are all stressed. Sadly John decides to leave and at the end Tim also does. Mandy also leaves near the end of the course but plans to continue in England. Eventually 9 people pass the course and the majority with a Pass B which is only obtained by about 25% of the people who take the course internationally. We’re incredibly pleased and proud of ourselves. Now it’s time to work and earn some money again!
