Nov. 12th is the last day of my tour guide trainning class. It will be the last day of the whole trainning. The feeling is complicated. After today, I will have a group for me to lead once the travel agency calls me. After today, there is no more office career or any fixed income. After today, there isn’t any office schedule and no one can plan my life except me. No more innocent but real self-governed life style. It sounds exciting but definitely a big gamble at the same time. Like the instructor told us : There will be less than half of you will get a job in this industry after the trainning. Only half of the half can stand in this industry more than 2 years. 20% of the survivors can have the life they expected. They’re elites and the reason keeps more and more people attending to this industry every year. But, it’s not everyone’s story. It doesn’t scare me and it sounds like a challenge I would like to try.
The trainning school
The view outside of the classroom
To keep everyone remember this unforgettable day, the final oral exam isn’t a cake on the table ever for an experienced tour guide. Firstly, they give us ten tour points in Taiwan when the class began. Some are famous places but some are the places even Taiwanese seldom goes there. You need to pick up a number from the lucky sticks ten minutes before your oral exam. Of course, you need to prepare the tens at home. However, when you knew what topic you need to talk about, you only has ten minutes to organize everything. You need to make your owned speech and your guide for ten minutes by the language listed on your license. For my example, I need to guide a tour point ten minutes by english. The place I got is “Tarkao (Kaohsiung) Consulate museum” which is built in 2003 where I’ve never been there before. I seldom go to Kaohsiung area after grand parents passed away and almost went there only for visiting customers. Honestly, the only image in my mind is from TV, photos or what other people said. But, like the instructor said: Say it when you knew it. Images it when you don’t know it. I think my imagination isn’t too bad and passed it like what I expected.
Everyone is preparing the exam
The assistant who controls the time and stickers
Since it’s a three week trainning class and we had four day’s outdoor class, the classmates seem have close relationship after the trainning. We had a graduation dinner and party after the ceremony. Different from the solemn feeling few hours ago, people becomes very active and enjoyable. There is a story about the elder classmate shows up below. Since he’s very nervous about this exam, his voice is so tight and weak. The teacher even tried to interrupted his speech and failed him. But, the classmate sat next to him rised his hand and told to the professor said he got a serious cold and didn’t feel well for a week. He passed luckily by classmate’s help. During the dinner, you can see a healthy and happy man sang joyfully. Another good lesson for me, you’ve never know what mood your customer might have and don’t judge someone before you know well enough. Like an experienced tour guide said, for a tour guide, treats everyone fairly. You’ve never know who you met.
The professor starts an opening speech
We had a party after the dinner. It’s a long day for me. I wan’t nervous about the exam but still can’t sleep well last night. My brains keeps me rehearsal the guide when I laid on the bed and it kept me falling of sleep very late. I was very exhausted when the party started. However, I still don’t want to miss any chance to know what capability a tour guide should have. Learning from the classmates is a good and easy way. After an hour of the party, I found out most of them are party animals. One of my best classmate called Michael. He is 10 year elder than me but he dances and sings like a 20 year old teenager. (He is 45.) I see no trace of years on his face. Suddently, I found out it’s an attitude of life.
graduation party
Michael invites classmate to dance
That night, I’m glad I choose to run away from the office life. Otherwise, in 10 year, I still will try to save money for a humble oversea tour once a year but unhappy besides the holidays. Double of my weight because I’m exhausted after work and don’t want to move at all when I’m home. I’ll keep on saying the same formulistic answer to the same group of customers (I’m sure they bet what I would answer everyday for fun and just called to know if there is any new trick of my answers. Sorry, I’m always let them down.) It’s a chance, for my life and new career. However, don’t walk the straight way means I need to take double time and effort than others to have the same thing they had. Well, but I will have a better view on the walk…. I hope.
My best classmates
For more photos, please see the link below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/orpheuslin/sets/72157622792683812/
