Dear ITMI Team,

First and foremost, i hope you’re all very well, and enjoying life Joan, it was lovely talking to you last week. I’m definitely going to buy that book you recommended. I’m sure it’ll be useful.

Nicole Cherie, thank you very much for your kind, encouraging words while i was in New York. I’m very happy to report Sarah, Henk and i all passed with flying colours our Nu Jork (i think that’s how they pronounce it over there….) exam, pretty tough as it was!!! Yet now we can officially say: We are Licensed Big Apple guides, hurrraaayyyyy!!!!!! Bring on the tours

With reference to the above, well, because i’ve only done a couple of tours, i can’t say at this point in time i’ve ever surprised my group with anything unexpected. I hope i shall do in the not too distant future.

However, something was given to me, which still to this day brings a tear to my eye when i think or talk about it. Before i left my previous job at Eurostar in London, my team at the Travel Centre organised a leaving party on my last day at work. As a farewell gift, i was surprised with a dense visitor’s book. But the fabulous thing about it, is it had over 120 signatures, mementos, poems, stickers, photos, original and beautiful ilustrations, all dedicated to my time with them. Even managers were writing their thoughts and wishing me well. It makes me laugh, it makes me cry!!

It didn’t cost much in terms of money, just buying a visitor’s book. Nevertheless, the value this book has to me is priceless, and i shall cherish it forever. Sometimes i look at it, and all those wonderful memories of my colleagues and friends i worked with for so long, all return. This is one of the BEST presents i’ve ever been given.

Love and kisses to y’all,

Vicky Dangerfield xoxo

Last Spring was my first season touring students in Washington, D.C.

I had a lovely group of 8th graders from Massachusetts. We arrived a little early at the Basillica of the National Shrine of Immaculate Conception for the mass, and as I stepped off of the coach, the security officer asked me if we were scheduled for a tour. We were not aware that there were tours (!) so I asked if that was possible. He informed me that the tour guide was getting ready to go home but maybe I could persuade him. I ran to his office, and met alovely gentleman who agreed to tour our group.

It was an extremely impressive tour and the students enjoyed it and the chaperones were thrilled.

I will call ahead in the future to arrange this tour when I have a group going there in the future.

Sandi Shanahan

Many years ago surprised group with breakfast in Ventura with private seating on way to San Francisco. Our breakfast included fresh strawberries with wonderful service on a sunny, warm morning.

Due to early morning departure on way to Napa Valley, had breakfast delivered to each room by 6:30 AM. Had luncheon at San Francisco Wharf overlooking marina and surprised two with Happy Birthday Cake and songs.

We always made time for shopping that kept bus load of women happy. Let’s not forget a great driver who was well traveled and very cooperative!

Now just enjoying life as senior with short trips, cruises with friends and annual family reunions. Always love to take family and friends to Zion, Bryce Canyons and other unique nature in State of Utah. All these beautiful wonders and only 2 hours from Las Vegas for “Trader Joe’s” and unique shopping!

Always with a smile and making happy thoughts!

Marva Motley

Times when I find something special about someone, I recognize that, asking the restaurant we’re attending for a group meal to give a cupcake with candle and usually everyone sings (or claps for/to the person. The other is allowing students to make up something , a song, a poem about their experiences on tour, then presenting to the group, letting them “shine” on the microphone. I also had a game on this last tour I did (NYC) where I held a contest, students vs. adults (there were 10 students, 10 adults, mostly parents) and asked them questions about the history/fun facts about NYC which I’d told them. Then I hold up fingers and sometimes give more points to whichever group is losing (more pts. than they’re supposed to get) to see if the group is paying attention and to ensure that no one takes it too seriously and because they usually laugh at that. The final score is always a tie no matter how well one group does over another so that it’s not too much like school. It depends on how competitive the group is in general. It’s all for fun and learning.

Elizabeth Young-Collins

Times when I find something special about someone, I recognize that, asking the restaurant we’re attending for a group meal to give a cupcake with candle and usually everyone sings (or claps for/to the person. The other is allowing students to make up something , a song, a poem about their experiences on tour, then presenting to the group, letting them “shine” on the microphone. I also had a game on this last tour I did (NYC) where I held a contest, students vs. adults (there were 10 students, 10 adults, mostly parents) and asked them questions about the history/fun facts about NYC which I’d told them. Then I hold up fingers and sometimes give more points to whichever group is losing (more pts. than they’re supposed to get) to see if the group is paying attention and to ensure that no one takes it too seriously and because they usually laugh at that. The final score is always a tie no matter how well one group does over another so that it’s not too much like school. It depends on how competitive the group is in general. It’s all for fun and learning.

Elizabeth Young-Collins

On a fine Fall day, I like to skip the scatter lunch, stop @ some supermarket and do the picnic in the park alongside a river. Better yet is the stop @ the ocean and the “betcha can’t put your feet into the ocean…last one in’s a rotten egg!” Of course you need to know where the beaches with free parking are located!

John Slavonic

I just finished a trip down the Amazon River, my group was fine. I was the only Spanish/English speaker so I spent a lot of time translating, explaining and then of course there was the bird list with over a 100 bird sightings, numerous animals and reptiles.

Every night the waiters and cleaning crew transformed into a really good band and played fabulous salsa music, sing and entertaining the folks, as there was no TV, internet or lights after 8PM. I worked so hard on this trip, it was hard.

As a surprise to me and my lead naturalist, the group planed, borrowed and rehearsed a song for us, as a thanks for our hard work and effort. I could hardly believe it, they were so cute. Mr. Jefries from Texas played the guitar, Mrs. Herald was the lead singer, the rest of the group amongst giggles and off key notes filled in the rest.

The Naturalist’s name is Robinson….they used the lyrics from the 1960’s something song. “Mrs. Robinson” inserting our names and sing, high praises to a job well done. They hand wrote the lyrics on a card and signed it with each of their names. The song was hysterically funny and the sentiment very touching. It is nice to know when you work hard it really is appreciated. I sent it to my office….unfortunately they haven’t commented.

Antoinette Ford

My surprise to my group is, the last night I always create a real Texan night. with cowboyboots, jeans and my checkered shirt. I also have salsa and chip and other texas snacks. And I have texas CD’s IE Willie Nelson, George Strait and have a dancing contest. AT the end I always raffle(every one gets a number) something from Texas. It is always a success and always big fun.

Esther

I have cd’s that I put in at just the right moment. I have never liked the tradition of the coach clapping when someone is late. Now, I put in Dean Martin’s ” Just In Time” when the people arrive at the coach, and everyone laughs, including the offenders. ” Time To Say Goodbye”, by Andrea Bocceli, on the way to the airport works well too. But my clear favorite is when we go on a float trip – I used to coddle and push people into the rafts, but these days , it’s ” Dueling Banjos”, from the movie Deliverance. Always good for a chuckle. There are others, but I try not to overdo it on any given tour.

The single cd’s allow me to grab the moment quickly, and not try to figure out a sound system, or where the song is on an ipod.

Bob