And it starts...

I received the documents for my upcoming England & Ireland tour today - hooray! Now I can start preparing copies of maps, currency exchange rates, interesting things to see & do in London, Killarney, Dublin, & Edinburgh, itineraries, maps, menus, travel tips, VAT tax info, maps, and Welcome letters for 45 people! Did I mention maps? Lots of maps...people like to know exactly where they are as they ride along in the coach...right down to the mile marker. Or kilometer marker, to be precise.

I'm thrilled - it's a full coach!! There's a healthy dose of nerves mixed in there, as well, but it will be fine. I'm receiving excellent training here, and as my boss likes to say, they have done they're level best to set me up for success. So we shall see...

I forgot to mention that I'm so close to Maine - where my cousin Kristin and her husband Charlie live! I wish I had time to pop over and say hi - and MEET Charlie! - but I'll have to save that for another trip...I know Mom & Dad would love to visit this region and see the fall foliage...family reunion, anyone?

Ya learn something new every day...

If you ever make a trip to China, don't be surprised when you encounter airborne babies.

Apparently there are organized pick-pockets, including mothers with several young children and a baby or two, who will literally throw babies at you in order to distract you - because of course you will instinctively try to catch a baby flailing through the air, right? - while her other small children stick their tiny hands into your pockets and get away with your cameras, wallets, cell phones, etc...

It is such a sad and desparate situation, but definitely one to be mindful of - wherever you travel!

So training at the Vermont house has been an interesting experience so far, to say the least! Thankfully, we have had a little time to relax...so of course snow angels were in order! You don't get to make snow angels that often when you grow up in Texas...

I've also learned a TON about Vermont, and I have really enjoyed my time here. I appreciate the family farm culture, with maple syrup farms, Macintosh apples, and Morgan horses...and I'd love to visit Vermont in autumn when everything is red, orange, yellow, and golden...

Oh I almost forgot to mention - I bottle-fed a calf at the Adams' Farm - a six-generation farmstead! I used to think that Kylie could really tug at a bottle while she feeds, but now...wow. That calf yanked on that bottle like her very life depended on it. Well, in a way, I guess that's true, but I feel sorry for mama cows - ouch!!

We Survived.

Well, Annie & I survived the popcorn cake. It wasn't sabotage after all. Thanks, Carrie!

Hi from Vermont...

...where our home away from home is a swanky "mountain chalet" surrounded by evergreens, ski slopes, and snow-filled sky, at the moment. Is it in fact haunted by the previous owner? We haven't decided yet.

Training for Collette has been going smoothly, so far. I'm stuck here with Carrie and Annie, though. I don't think I can stand them much longer...

Kidding! I love those girls. We're busy researching The Green Mountain Boys, fall foliage, and Stephen Douglas for our fabulous Southern Vermont tour tomorrow. I'm excited to get out of the house, see the sites, and learn something about Vermont from my fellow trainees. And I look forward to sharing a little Vermont knowledge with them myself! We'll be taking a much longer tour of Vermont on Sunday (including a stop at Ben & Jerry's!!) which is when I'll talk about Richmond, VT and cows/dairy farming in Vermont. Dairy is a big deal up here! Dairy & maple syrup. Yumm....

Speaking of food, Carrie made a popcorn cake tonight. I've never heard of that before...guess it's a Jersey thing. ;) The iced coffee she made this morning was FABULOUS, though, so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt...just as long as she's not trying to sabotage my chances of continuing working for Collette beyond this "probationary period." I'm watching you, Care-ie.

Besides, my future passengers are depending on me! Well, they don't know it's me, yet, but somehow I've got to find time to prepare for my April 26 Exploring Britain & Ireland tour on top of all this Vermont business. Guess I better get back to it!