My First Day of Work

Wednesday 15th October, 2014

Today was the day I was meant to start my first class teaching English.

7am: I woke up to the usual sounds of the Chilean urban wildlife consisting of large grumbling buses, high pitch drills and the mating calls of the smaller automobiles honking out to each other from across the stretch of 3-lane bitumen.

I stretched and took in a deep breath of what consisted of partial air, partial cigarette smoke from any of the six levels below me and the emissions of earlier noted wildlife, emitting their pheromones as they hurried off in their usual migration patterns. It has taken me two weeks to learn to accept I am living on the noisiest corner of Santiago. Today, I embraced it a little bit more, knowing I was to be a part movement of leaving warm comfortable nest to the long drop to the ground below. Hopefully I’ll find my wings and start to contribute to this new, loud society.

7:30: I left the house, allowing 1 hour for the half an hour journey. I walked to the metro (underground train) station and waited for the metro. The first train came… full. The second train passed a few minutes later, and I pushed my way in. Old memories flashed before me of how to create a space where there wasn’t one by simply pushing the others away.

The metro stopped at each station, few people got off but many more got on. These people had completely mastered the art of pushing. As the doors opened, you were literally picked up and moved further and further inside the carriage, as group mobs reversed their bodies into the carriage doorways. The movement always reminds me of the group efforts of the fish in Finding Nemo.

Thankfully for me, the station I was to get off at was an interchange, so with most of the people planning to get off there anyway I was basically carried off the train at the right time.

8:00: Arrived outside of the building as listed on the address on my official documents from the Institute I was working for. Bit too early to go in, as everyone generally arrives late for work. I sat outside and waited for 16 minutes, enjoying the much more serene area where there is lawn and seats.

This isn't my photo, but does show the area my class was in :)

8:16: Headed inside the main building. Looked up at the directory on the wall. My paper work said it was on the 14^th floor. The directory confirmed that company is on the 12^th, 13^th and14^th floor. I head to reception and explain that I am teaching a class of English in that company. She asked what floor, and I confirmed the 14^th floor. She gave me an access key and I was on my way.

8:17: Took the elevator to the 14^th floor. Was greeted by upside down chairs all over the floor and badly lit area. The reception desk was abandoned, and in all directions were signs saying ‘Floor Closed’. I retreated to level 13.

8:18: An elderly security guard was sitting at the reception desk on level 13. This floor was also closed. He suggested trying level 12.

8:19: Level 12 seemed more promising. Brightly lit, clean, typical female receptionist, no upside down chairs. I approached the lady, introducing myself and explaining that I had a class on level 14 which clearly was not there. I showed her the paperwork, and she told me that not one of the contacts listed worked in this building. She searched the company listing, and located the student contact numbers. First she rang the office, no answer. Then her personal mobile number, and the student answered. The student informed her that her office was in a completely different building, nearby, however she was not able to have classes today because she was in a meeting.

The kind receptionist gave me the updated information, took me to a window and pointed out which building she worked in, and recommended that I check with her prior to each lesson.

8:30: I left the building, absolutely confused by the events of today.

a)     How did the Institute possibly have all the information wrong?

b)     Why would the concierge give me an access key to a floor that is closed?

c)     Why would the student not have contacted the Institute to change the start date?

Not to worry, thanks to the kind receptionist I actually have the accurate information now so I can check in advance.

So as to this point, I am yet to earn a single peso!