When I wonder, what kind of summer job I would like to do, I think that I would like to be a tourist guide. However, I don't want to be such a guide, who walks around the cities with groups of foreign tourists with an umbrella- so as not to let the tourists get lost. Those guides usually use some audio system to communicate with the group and speak to them in English. The tourists are most interested in looking for another McDonald and not in really interesting things to see. To make it clear, what kind of tourist guide I want to be, I will describe in details the client that I would like to have.
I dream about working only on summers. My costumer could be for example an older professor of medieval history from Ireland. Together with his beautiful wife and nice friend, he comes for 3-months holiday to Poland. They are really interested in getting to know Polish culture. They stay in Kazimierz Dolny for the first month and they want to have full-time local guide. And it is me, who is supposed to stay with them and help them learn as much as possible about this place. I am their guide, translator, driver and companion at the same time. I realize that it is a very idealized idea, but that's what I would like to do.
The first day I have to go to the airport to pick the guests up. They arrange for a big new car beforetime and I drive to Warsaw with this car. After we meet we drive to Kazimierz. They need time to accommodate in the hotel, which I chose for them. During the ride, we talk a bit. The visitors are very cultural and well-educated people. They look out the windows and admire the beautiful landscapes.
Our usual day starts at 9 a.m., we meet in the café then and talk about everything we can do this day. I listen to their suggestions and try to meet their expectancies. At 10 p.m. we go back to the hotel. I have time to rest and wonder what to do the next day.
In such job I would be responsible for the whole program of the trip. I work in a place that I know well and I have great knowledge about all interesting for tourists objects and places. I also know local artists and other people, who can make the trip more enjoyable. When my client is interested in history of art, like the professor, whom I described, I have to make such plan, as to let him see everything that he may be interested in. We can visit old castles and churches. I have to call some people so that we can see all that is not accessible for usual tourists. I can also introduce my own ideas. For example, we could have a canoe trip down the river or ride horses in the forests.
If I were this kind of guide, I would make each day different for my guests. My clients would be intelligent people, anxious to get to know Poland, speaking excellent English. I would earn much money and know many interesting people. My costumers would send me letters and presents. Perhaps one day I might inherit a beautiful residence somewhere in England. I would spend the rest of my life enjoying life.
