Guides- One Too Many

Recently I renewed my Tourist Guide licence. That means I have been a Guide for 3 good years!I survived, contrary to what many people think. Must say it is the best job I have ever had. It suits my temperament, interest and ability. So I have enjoyed the last 3 years and get paid too.

So my badge number is 2350 and a few days ago, a new Guide was introduced to me and her badge number is 2953. Another words, for 3 years, 600 new guides entered the market. See the competition. So don't expect Guide fees to go up and don't expect payment to be faster than the usual 2 months.

So to renew the licence, the Guide will have to go through 21 hours (7-hr for each year of service) of training Courses conducted by several organisations. Ofcourse we pay for them @ about $80/7hr Course. So to renew, it costs me a total of about $300.

The Courses really were a waste of time. The Guides go through the motion, the trainers knew the low level of interest from the trainees and also go through the motion. A vicious cycle and of little benefit.

So this is Indians season, half of the active Guides are now doing Indian groups. Bless the Indians.