…”SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!” in Spanish.

Trying to give a course in this country is like trying to herd cats. There are six people in the class, each with a cellphone that rings easily once an hour, which they answer half the time. In addition there are two ground lines that ring and ring without anyone answering them.

I’m giving the course in a corner of a large room, where other people are also working, and speaking loudly. They also like to play the radio once in a while, Latino music of course.

Right next to where I’m standing, there’s an extremely squeaky door through which people keep going, back and forth.

None of the students speak English. The interpreter likes to stuff his face with peanuts while he’s translating. Consequently, he often doesn’t give them my warnings fast enough (”now, before you do anything…”) and so they keep clicking what they shouldn’t.

I thought teaching was the one thing I had endless patience for. I was wrong.

Serenity now, serenity now…