Finally!!!! I am so happy, that I was able to see the colored canyon.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/ColoredCanyon?feat=directlink
Dienstag, 30. Dezember 2008
Donnerstag, 25. Dezember 2008
X-mas in SSH
Wow, what a night.
I got into my black dress, which Tamara had brought me and decided to wear my nice sandals which I had bought in Barbados earlier this year. I was meeting Miki, Victoria, Nader and Erin @ Camel to have diner together. I didn't know that there would be a party later @ the Camel Bar but it sounded great to me, when I was told.
For diner I had Veal Ossobucco with Mashed Potatoes and that was really good. The meat was so soft, delicious. But still, it's not my dad's turkey, the vegetable, potatoes, the x-mas cake and the Rote Grütze.
I don't know what time it was but we then moved from the restaurant to the bar. I didn't get anything to drink first and we just had a chat and were watching how the place started to fill up. Akram, the manager of the Camel Bar told us that they had given out 750 invitations. Akram is really very nice, he is actually a sort of a twin brother as he was born the exact same day as me. He invited Miki and myself to a shot, Tequilla. Here I have to say, that since my B-Day on October 3rd I didn't have any alcohol. That definitely changed yesterday. I had 1 Tequilla, 3 Sambucca (have no idea how to spell this) and two cocktails, Woo-Woo, with Shnaps and Vodka. It was actually delicious and surprisingly I wasn't drunk at all. Well Miki told me that I didn't walk completely straight but this was because of the shoes. For New Years it will be Ballerinas!
I got a present from Miki and Victoria, eventhough Miki had told me earlier in the day that he wouldn't do presents. I have to admit I was a little sentimental and I realised that I would not be able to do this Embassy thing because I would miss home toooooo much. Being away from home, on your own, that is just not what I want. Here in SSH I have family, so I am not alone.
At midnight I was allowed to open the present and it was a perfum. One I actually have, that I love and that is almost finished. Well you know me, sensitive and all this stuff, I started crying. I was so happy and still so homesick. But Victoria and Miki were really very cute and I have to say that I don't know how I deserve them.
I wish you all a very nice x-mas day.
And a very Happy Birthday to my mum!!!! I miss you!!!
I will definitely be back on the blog for New Years Eve as my two girls Josy and Denise are coming. Girls get ready to have some shots ;-)
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/XMasInSSH?feat=directlink
PS: Drinking is not good!!!!
I got into my black dress, which Tamara had brought me and decided to wear my nice sandals which I had bought in Barbados earlier this year. I was meeting Miki, Victoria, Nader and Erin @ Camel to have diner together. I didn't know that there would be a party later @ the Camel Bar but it sounded great to me, when I was told.
For diner I had Veal Ossobucco with Mashed Potatoes and that was really good. The meat was so soft, delicious. But still, it's not my dad's turkey, the vegetable, potatoes, the x-mas cake and the Rote Grütze.
I don't know what time it was but we then moved from the restaurant to the bar. I didn't get anything to drink first and we just had a chat and were watching how the place started to fill up. Akram, the manager of the Camel Bar told us that they had given out 750 invitations. Akram is really very nice, he is actually a sort of a twin brother as he was born the exact same day as me. He invited Miki and myself to a shot, Tequilla. Here I have to say, that since my B-Day on October 3rd I didn't have any alcohol. That definitely changed yesterday. I had 1 Tequilla, 3 Sambucca (have no idea how to spell this) and two cocktails, Woo-Woo, with Shnaps and Vodka. It was actually delicious and surprisingly I wasn't drunk at all. Well Miki told me that I didn't walk completely straight but this was because of the shoes. For New Years it will be Ballerinas!
I got a present from Miki and Victoria, eventhough Miki had told me earlier in the day that he wouldn't do presents. I have to admit I was a little sentimental and I realised that I would not be able to do this Embassy thing because I would miss home toooooo much. Being away from home, on your own, that is just not what I want. Here in SSH I have family, so I am not alone.
At midnight I was allowed to open the present and it was a perfum. One I actually have, that I love and that is almost finished. Well you know me, sensitive and all this stuff, I started crying. I was so happy and still so homesick. But Victoria and Miki were really very cute and I have to say that I don't know how I deserve them.
I wish you all a very nice x-mas day.
And a very Happy Birthday to my mum!!!! I miss you!!!
I will definitely be back on the blog for New Years Eve as my two girls Josy and Denise are coming. Girls get ready to have some shots ;-)
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/XMasInSSH?feat=directlink
PS: Drinking is not good!!!!
X-Mas
I wish you all a very merry x-mas!
Je vous souhaite un joyeux noël!!
Ich wünsche euch allen schöne Weihnachten und ein frohes Fest!!
Montag, 22. Dezember 2008
Pre x-mas
I have to say that I am not at all in x-mas feeling. It is pretty difficult when it's over 20°C and there is just sea, sand, desert and no snow. But don't get me wrong, I am not at all missing it. I guess I will do something with Miki and Vic, but I don't know yet what. Miki just informed me that they will plan me in, in whatever they will do.
Dienstag, 16. Dezember 2008
Dahab
Finally I am getting to Dahab. Nathalie, the girl from Direkt Reisen is leaving Sharm on Thursday and I thought it would be cool if we could do something together. The problem was just, that her day off was another one then mine. Not that I would really have a day off, but we have almost no guests, the hotels are pretty empty so there is no reason to complain, that gives me some time to me.
As I had to work until 1pm I asked her if it would be ok for her to leave only at 1.30pm and as she said yes, I was so happy, because until now I have only been to Dahab while doing the "Blue Hole" Trip.
It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to get there, a nice drive through the desert. Eventhough it's just sandy and there are rocks allover, it is still a beautiful thing.
Dahab is pretty small and I guess a lot of "Aussteigers" are living there. There is a nice beach promenade and a small city but that is pretty much all. We have not even spent 2 hours there but at least I have seen Dahab.
Actually we wanted to go and have diner but on the way back we got so tired so I just went back home. The last few days I do sleep a lot and am still tired all the time.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/Dahab?feat=directlink
Dienstag, 2. Dezember 2008
Welcome back to the Jungle
this is how one of the receptionist has welcomed me back on Saturday.
Things are pretty quiet now and I do really appreciate. X-mas is coming soon and this is a time where things will not be so nice, I was told. Guests will complain a lot, but hey, that is nothing new to me. Eventhough it seems that this week is going pretty well until now.
It is hard to imagine that in 22 days it is X-mas. Yes, they do have also some lights and Merry Christmas adverts here in Sharm, but X-mas withouth snow is not a real X-mas to me. But don't get me wrong, I am doing pretty fine without the snow ;-)
During the day the weather is just perfect but in the evening and in the night it gets pretty fresh.
Well, just another 4 weeks and then I will finish my work here. I am not very sure yet what will happen then but I am sure something will happen.
Have a nice pre X-mas time.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/Vacation?feat=directlink
Things are pretty quiet now and I do really appreciate. X-mas is coming soon and this is a time where things will not be so nice, I was told. Guests will complain a lot, but hey, that is nothing new to me. Eventhough it seems that this week is going pretty well until now.
It is hard to imagine that in 22 days it is X-mas. Yes, they do have also some lights and Merry Christmas adverts here in Sharm, but X-mas withouth snow is not a real X-mas to me. But don't get me wrong, I am doing pretty fine without the snow ;-)
During the day the weather is just perfect but in the evening and in the night it gets pretty fresh.
Well, just another 4 weeks and then I will finish my work here. I am not very sure yet what will happen then but I am sure something will happen.
Have a nice pre X-mas time.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/Vacation?feat=directlink
Research....
look what I have found while researching for my trip
http://www.globetrotter.ch/reiseinfos/fototours/tours?id=24&nr=0
http://www.globetrotter.ch/reiseinfos/fototours/tours?id=24&nr=0
Sonntag, 16. November 2008
soon a few days off
I am so glad that last week finally ended. This was a horrible week and therefore I am really happy to have a week off from Friday on.
Can you imagine that since July 1st I am working EACH day? Okay, I may not work 8 hours every day but it's still hard not having a single day, where you don't have to worry and where you can just leave your mobile phones at home and enjoy your free time.
But there were also nice things last week. Fabiano and Isabelle have been here again and I spent a few evenings with them. They are really nice people and I hope to stay in contact with them, ones I am back.
Yes, I will finish my contract with MediaShop Reisen AG on December 31st 2008. I have to say I am happy about this. It's not that I didn't enjoy the time or that I would regret it. It is a great experience and I am happy that I had decided to do this, but I am definitely not born for this job. The contact with the guests is great when they don't shout at you and blame you for everything. For me this job is like a call center. And I am really shocked about what people complain. They think they can go on vacation for not a lot of money and find 5* hotels like in Switzerland. But this is just a small part of my guests. Most of them are really very nice and I met some great people.
It was and still is a great experience but I am also happy when I finish on December 31st 2008.
Can you imagine that since July 1st I am working EACH day? Okay, I may not work 8 hours every day but it's still hard not having a single day, where you don't have to worry and where you can just leave your mobile phones at home and enjoy your free time.
But there were also nice things last week. Fabiano and Isabelle have been here again and I spent a few evenings with them. They are really nice people and I hope to stay in contact with them, ones I am back.
Yes, I will finish my contract with MediaShop Reisen AG on December 31st 2008. I have to say I am happy about this. It's not that I didn't enjoy the time or that I would regret it. It is a great experience and I am happy that I had decided to do this, but I am definitely not born for this job. The contact with the guests is great when they don't shout at you and blame you for everything. For me this job is like a call center. And I am really shocked about what people complain. They think they can go on vacation for not a lot of money and find 5* hotels like in Switzerland. But this is just a small part of my guests. Most of them are really very nice and I met some great people.
It was and still is a great experience but I am also happy when I finish on December 31st 2008.
Montag, 27. Oktober 2008
Nothing new
Hello everybody. It has been a while since my last post but as only 3 persons are reading it.....
Everything is going fine, except that about two weeks ago I had some problems with my stomach but now it's ok again.
In November I am able to take one week vacation and I will go to Cairo to see the pyramids, the sphinx and the exyptian museum. I am really looking forward to this trip.
I will also try to go for a day or two to Hurghada, the flight ticket should only cost something like CHF 50 for one way.
A day after tomorrow I will perhaps go diving.
You see, things are going a lot better, thanks to the weather that has cooled down. I am up to a lot more and enjoying my stay here better.
Everything is going fine, except that about two weeks ago I had some problems with my stomach but now it's ok again.
In November I am able to take one week vacation and I will go to Cairo to see the pyramids, the sphinx and the exyptian museum. I am really looking forward to this trip.
I will also try to go for a day or two to Hurghada, the flight ticket should only cost something like CHF 50 for one way.
A day after tomorrow I will perhaps go diving.
You see, things are going a lot better, thanks to the weather that has cooled down. I am up to a lot more and enjoying my stay here better.
Dienstag, 7. Oktober 2008
Samstag, 4. Oktober 2008
B-Day on October 3rd 2008
It's nice that even if you are far away, some people always remember your B-Day.
Friday normally I have office work on the schedule but I pretty much did all on Thursday. We would have also departure and arrival transfers in the night from Friday to Saturday but I asked in the office and for the 1st time I did not have to go to the airport. Lucky me. Now I just hoped that no guests would call me with major problems. Well that would be the case in a perfect world but not in reality.
After having breakfast at the Inter Plaza I checked my e-mails. I started feeling a little homesick receiving all these Birthday Greetings. It's crazy how much I miss everything and everybody. So I went back to my room and unpacked the two presents my mum had sent for me. I got a wonderful calendar 2009 from Tibet and a book about the Koran, but written as a story. I immediately started to read the book and finished the first two chapters.
Friday normally I have office work on the schedule but I pretty much did all on Thursday. We would have also departure and arrival transfers in the night from Friday to Saturday but I asked in the office and for the 1st time I did not have to go to the airport. Lucky me. Now I just hoped that no guests would call me with major problems. Well that would be the case in a perfect world but not in reality.
After having breakfast at the Inter Plaza I checked my e-mails. I started feeling a little homesick receiving all these Birthday Greetings. It's crazy how much I miss everything and everybody. So I went back to my room and unpacked the two presents my mum had sent for me. I got a wonderful calendar 2009 from Tibet and a book about the Koran, but written as a story. I immediately started to read the book and finished the first two chapters.
At about 1pm I went to my brother’s house where we got ready to go to the beach. We went to Beach Turquoise which I haven’t known until now and I really liked it. There are a few things I didn’t really ask for to see, but well. We went home and played some Fishdom. I had found a good homepage to download games: www.bigfishgames.com and Miki got so addicted to this game that he immediately bought it.
From my colleagues at Marhaba I just invited one person. His name is Saleh and he is a very down to earth guy and he is one who did not disappoint me until now. So he came over to my brothers where we also met with Valeria (Victoria’s sister) before we went to Akram’s house where there would be a B-Day Party.
This party was for Akram, Ayman, Nadine and myself as we all celebrate our birthday on October 3rd. Akram and myself are even born the same year. Unfortunately Ramzy, the receptionist from the Hotel Inter Plaza could not come, but it was also his B-Day on October 3rd. The party was great. Well I had two shots and a drink and didn’t feel pretty good for a while but after a cola, some water and fresh air, things went back to normal.
I had a very nice birthday. Thanks to all of you.
And I just want to add one thing. Miki is being a real good brother. He is taking good care and is protecting me from “bad” guys.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/BDay#5254357993392378594
Mittwoch, 1. Oktober 2008
My B-Day
My Birthday is coming up and oh wonder. I asked the traffic manager yesterday if it would possible that I don't have to do the departure and arrival transfers in the night from Friday to Saturday. He said that is ok.
Sure these people work hard, one month without having one day off, but then they get a week off and go to Cairo, Alexandria or Luxor. Since I am here I didn't get one single day off. Sure there are days in the week where I do not have any visiting hours, but then I set up the plan for the following week, prepare the brochures and you can be sure that it's exactly on these days, where a guest will call me in the morning. A day off means that you can switch off your phone and you don't have to bother and until today I didn't have that yet.
I won't complain because I know that this will not be like this for a long time.
Things happen and I must say I am very disappointed from the behaviour of certain persons. Being proud and not admitting mistakes is more important then being honest to yourself and other persons. People lie here and this is really a very bad thing. You know I am a honest person and therefore it's very hard for me to deal with situations like this.
Sure these people work hard, one month without having one day off, but then they get a week off and go to Cairo, Alexandria or Luxor. Since I am here I didn't get one single day off. Sure there are days in the week where I do not have any visiting hours, but then I set up the plan for the following week, prepare the brochures and you can be sure that it's exactly on these days, where a guest will call me in the morning. A day off means that you can switch off your phone and you don't have to bother and until today I didn't have that yet.
I won't complain because I know that this will not be like this for a long time.
Things happen and I must say I am very disappointed from the behaviour of certain persons. Being proud and not admitting mistakes is more important then being honest to yourself and other persons. People lie here and this is really a very bad thing. You know I am a honest person and therefore it's very hard for me to deal with situations like this.
Why?!?!?!?!
Who let them out again? It's again israelien season. But the other one just finished.
Never ever I will go anywhere on vacation where I know that there are a lot of Israeliens.
The last few weeks were so nice and peaceful. You could relax in the poolarea. This morning when I passed there were children screaming, they also shout to each other from their balcony to the pool. The entire lobby is full with them. I hope this time the season is short.
The restaurant is already a catastroph again.
I am sure they are not all the same but what I have seen since I am living in the hotel, they are the worste guests you could imagine.
Never ever I will go anywhere on vacation where I know that there are a lot of Israeliens.
The last few weeks were so nice and peaceful. You could relax in the poolarea. This morning when I passed there were children screaming, they also shout to each other from their balcony to the pool. The entire lobby is full with them. I hope this time the season is short.
The restaurant is already a catastroph again.
I am sure they are not all the same but what I have seen since I am living in the hotel, they are the worste guests you could imagine.
Sonntag, 28. September 2008
Victorias B-Day
Saturday was Victorias Birthday. She invited Miki, her sister Valeria, a friend Ian and me to have diner at the Little Buddha. I came a little late because I had to work until 8pm.
Wow, the food at Little Buddha is very good. I don't really know what I had ordered, I just said that I would like to have the same as Ian because it looked so good.
Afterwards we went to Camel Roof where we had a tabel reserved. That's really cool when the other guests have to get up because we come, ha ha ha.
Victoria and Valeria were really dressed up very nice, both with a black dress and some high heels. Also Miki and Ian did both wear a white shirt and real shoes. You have to know that Miki normally wears no shoes or Flip Flops. As I just came to work and had to go back to work at 10.45pm I didn't wear the little black sexy dress.
It was really nice and I wished I would have been off to spend the rest of the evening with you, celebrating Victoria's B-Day.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/VictoriasBDay#
Wow, the food at Little Buddha is very good. I don't really know what I had ordered, I just said that I would like to have the same as Ian because it looked so good.
Afterwards we went to Camel Roof where we had a tabel reserved. That's really cool when the other guests have to get up because we come, ha ha ha.
Victoria and Valeria were really dressed up very nice, both with a black dress and some high heels. Also Miki and Ian did both wear a white shirt and real shoes. You have to know that Miki normally wears no shoes or Flip Flops. As I just came to work and had to go back to work at 10.45pm I didn't wear the little black sexy dress.
It was really nice and I wished I would have been off to spend the rest of the evening with you, celebrating Victoria's B-Day.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/VictoriasBDay#
Montag, 22. September 2008
Sun, Fun and nothing to do?!?!?! 21./22.09.08
My goodness, was this a weekend!!!!! Just to show you that I am not hanging around enyjoing life.
Saturday I did some office work to prepare for the weekend. The weekends are the busiest days as we then have all the departures and arrivals. Looking at the schedule I knew that this “weekend” would be crazy.
You have to know that the manager of the local partner here in Sharm doesn’t want the guests to be too long alone in the hotel before we do the welcome meeting. He is afraid that they go and book with someone else. So as we have arrivals on Sunday at 01.40, on Sunday during the day and on Monday at 2.00 I have to do in most of the hotels two welcome meetings.
So I had to get up on Sunday at about midnight because the car came to pick me up at 01.00 to go the airport. The arrival planed for 01.40 was late and it took very long for the guests to come out. My transfer was brining guests to 3 different hotels what made that I came back on Sunday morning at 05.30.
At 08.30 I had to get up again because we had departure transfers. So Sunday I was spending at the airport because we had so many arrivals and departures. I then came back to my room at about 15.00.
At 17.30 I got picked up again because at 18.00 my 1st welcome meeting of the evening would start. I had welcome meetings at 3 different hotels and came back at 22.00 (Sunday).
On Monday at 00.30 I had to get up again because at 01.15 I got picked up to go to the airport for the Air Cairo arrival. The plane landed pretty much in time but there were some issues regarding the visas. My transfer took me to two hotels and I got back at 04.00.
The problem is that very often I can’t fall asleep straight away. This night I also slept very bad and at 09.30 my colleague called me and then I couldn’t sleep anymore. I did some work, preparing e-mails, fine tuning the weekly report and at 13.00 I had my 1st welcome meeting of this day. After that I headed to the 2nd welcome meeting, then to the 3rd, the 4th and having also visiting hours after my 4th welcome meeting I came out of the last hotel at 21.10. As there have been a lot of bookings I had to go to the office and I got out of there at 22.50.
The entire day I was carrying my laptop around with me because in my hotel the internet did not work. And as I knew that I won’t have a lot of time I wanted to just send the e-mails I had prepared in the morning (copy / paste). But at the Inter Plaza there was no time just as at the Millennium, at the Park Inn the Internet did not work and the besides that at the Hotel Renaissance there wouldn’t have been any spare time, the lobby has no free wireless connection.
And tomorrow I am having my 1st visiting hour at 10.00, this goes on until 16.15, then I will be back at about 16.45 to be picked up again at 19.00 to finish my last visiting hour at the Hotel Renaissance at 20.45.
So if there is anybody who thinks that I am not working hard, you are more than welcome to join me on one of my weekends.
And every weekend I wonder which stupid person has invented the night flights??????????????????
Saturday I did some office work to prepare for the weekend. The weekends are the busiest days as we then have all the departures and arrivals. Looking at the schedule I knew that this “weekend” would be crazy.
You have to know that the manager of the local partner here in Sharm doesn’t want the guests to be too long alone in the hotel before we do the welcome meeting. He is afraid that they go and book with someone else. So as we have arrivals on Sunday at 01.40, on Sunday during the day and on Monday at 2.00 I have to do in most of the hotels two welcome meetings.
So I had to get up on Sunday at about midnight because the car came to pick me up at 01.00 to go the airport. The arrival planed for 01.40 was late and it took very long for the guests to come out. My transfer was brining guests to 3 different hotels what made that I came back on Sunday morning at 05.30.
At 08.30 I had to get up again because we had departure transfers. So Sunday I was spending at the airport because we had so many arrivals and departures. I then came back to my room at about 15.00.
At 17.30 I got picked up again because at 18.00 my 1st welcome meeting of the evening would start. I had welcome meetings at 3 different hotels and came back at 22.00 (Sunday).
On Monday at 00.30 I had to get up again because at 01.15 I got picked up to go to the airport for the Air Cairo arrival. The plane landed pretty much in time but there were some issues regarding the visas. My transfer took me to two hotels and I got back at 04.00.
The problem is that very often I can’t fall asleep straight away. This night I also slept very bad and at 09.30 my colleague called me and then I couldn’t sleep anymore. I did some work, preparing e-mails, fine tuning the weekly report and at 13.00 I had my 1st welcome meeting of this day. After that I headed to the 2nd welcome meeting, then to the 3rd, the 4th and having also visiting hours after my 4th welcome meeting I came out of the last hotel at 21.10. As there have been a lot of bookings I had to go to the office and I got out of there at 22.50.
The entire day I was carrying my laptop around with me because in my hotel the internet did not work. And as I knew that I won’t have a lot of time I wanted to just send the e-mails I had prepared in the morning (copy / paste). But at the Inter Plaza there was no time just as at the Millennium, at the Park Inn the Internet did not work and the besides that at the Hotel Renaissance there wouldn’t have been any spare time, the lobby has no free wireless connection.
And tomorrow I am having my 1st visiting hour at 10.00, this goes on until 16.15, then I will be back at about 16.45 to be picked up again at 19.00 to finish my last visiting hour at the Hotel Renaissance at 20.45.
So if there is anybody who thinks that I am not working hard, you are more than welcome to join me on one of my weekends.
And every weekend I wonder which stupid person has invented the night flights??????????????????
Samstag, 20. September 2008
Open Water 02 17./19.09.2008
Finally I made it!!!! I finished the PADI Open Water Cours for the second time but this time the documents will be sent to the PADI Organisation and I will get my brevet.
The day with Ruud and Romano on the Falcon Suez was great. We had a good group. Some other Swiss, actually friends from Romano’s brother, some Germans and Brits. After lunch we all jumped into the sea from the sundeck. I was the first what is hard to believe, as I am even afraid to make the step into the water with the diving equipment. The English girl jumped in with her D&G sunglasses, which she lost but by chance a swimmer from another boat found them.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/OpenWater021719092008#
The day with Ruud and Romano on the Falcon Suez was great. We had a good group. Some other Swiss, actually friends from Romano’s brother, some Germans and Brits. After lunch we all jumped into the sea from the sundeck. I was the first what is hard to believe, as I am even afraid to make the step into the water with the diving equipment. The English girl jumped in with her D&G sunglasses, which she lost but by chance a swimmer from another boat found them.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/OpenWater021719092008#
Samstag, 13. September 2008
Open Water 01 10./11./12.09.2008
10 years after I had actually done my PADI Open Water in Sharm, I did sign up for the class again. This because 10 years ago I did not send in the documents to PADI and therefore didn't get the certificat. But this time things would be different.
My dive instructor was Phil Penn, a guy who has just arrived 6 weeks ago from England. Mybuddes were Kirstin and Matt, a young couple from England who just started their 2 year travelling in Sharm.
We had a real good time and it actually was fun. Watching the DVD's was a little but hard because I am always so tired but I made it. On the 3rd day we went on the boat to dive in the sea and lucky us, we have seen a turtle on our 1st dive. As I was tired I just made 2 dives while Kirstin and Matt made 3 dives.
Starting from today Camel organizes a party for their staff and the guests and to celebrate the PADI Scuba Diver certificate of Kirstin and Matt we went to the party at the Camel Bar.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/OpenWater01101112092008#
My dive instructor was Phil Penn, a guy who has just arrived 6 weeks ago from England. Mybuddes were Kirstin and Matt, a young couple from England who just started their 2 year travelling in Sharm.
We had a real good time and it actually was fun. Watching the DVD's was a little but hard because I am always so tired but I made it. On the 3rd day we went on the boat to dive in the sea and lucky us, we have seen a turtle on our 1st dive. As I was tired I just made 2 dives while Kirstin and Matt made 3 dives.
Starting from today Camel organizes a party for their staff and the guests and to celebrate the PADI Scuba Diver certificate of Kirstin and Matt we went to the party at the Camel Bar.
By now they probably are on their way to the Mount Everest, that was their next planned destination on their trip. Guys, it was very nice meeting you. I wish you all the best and enjoy your travelling.
Take carehttp://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/OpenWater01101112092008#
Samstag, 6. September 2008
BBQ Nader
That was exactly what I needed. A day of distraction.
Last week was a hard week. Not workwise but concerning emotions and being homesick.
It's very hard. Due to the fact, that I don't have regular working hours, it's difficulet to meet new people and to do "things" with them.
But my really very nice brother took me to his best friend who organised a small BBQ. Unfortunatelly I don't have any pictures from the BBQ but of us having fun with Naders new toy ;-)
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/BBQNader#
Last week was a hard week. Not workwise but concerning emotions and being homesick.
It's very hard. Due to the fact, that I don't have regular working hours, it's difficulet to meet new people and to do "things" with them.
But my really very nice brother took me to his best friend who organised a small BBQ. Unfortunatelly I don't have any pictures from the BBQ but of us having fun with Naders new toy ;-)
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/BBQNader#
Freitag, 5. September 2008
angestaut
im moment bin ich eher ein bisschen anfällig. es braucht nicht viel, ich bin leicht gereizt.
ich denke die hitze, das essen, das viele alleinsein, das nicht verstanden werden, die stromausfälle (das schlimmste ist bei 45° keine ac zu haben) sowie die katastrophale internetverbindung haben gemacht, dass sich ein kleiner frust angestaut hat.
aber von aufgeben ist keine rede. klar, wenn ich einen super job finden sollte, würde ich mir das schon überlegen, aber im moment ist es ja noch in ordnung. zum glück habe ich ja die gäste, der kontakt mit ihnen stellt einem automatisch wieder auf.
ja, es hat niemand gesagt, dass es einfach sein wird. bereuen tu ich aber nichts. ausser.....
ich denke die hitze, das essen, das viele alleinsein, das nicht verstanden werden, die stromausfälle (das schlimmste ist bei 45° keine ac zu haben) sowie die katastrophale internetverbindung haben gemacht, dass sich ein kleiner frust angestaut hat.
aber von aufgeben ist keine rede. klar, wenn ich einen super job finden sollte, würde ich mir das schon überlegen, aber im moment ist es ja noch in ordnung. zum glück habe ich ja die gäste, der kontakt mit ihnen stellt einem automatisch wieder auf.
ja, es hat niemand gesagt, dass es einfach sein wird. bereuen tu ich aber nichts. ausser.....
Sonntag, 31. August 2008
Isabelle & Fabiano
Das war eine tolle Woche. Also eigentlich waren es nur 3 Abende.
Eigentlich kannte ich ja Isabelle gar nicht und Fabiano auch nicht wirklich. Aber trotzdem hatten wir eine gute Zeit miteinander. Isabelle und Fabiano haben mal mit meinem Vater bei der Avis in Glattbrugg gearbeitet. Sie wurden als Boten missbraucht und da ich ja sowieso jedes Wochenende an den Flughafen gehe, war ja klar, dass ich sie sehen werde.
Ich habe ihnen auch meine Handy Nr. gegeben, aber das mit der Vorwahl und so hat nicht ganz geklappt. Als ich im Hotel anrief hat niemand abgenommen und so habe ich am Donnerstag mein Vater gefragt, ob er mir die Handy Nr. von Fabiano schicken könnte.
Und dann was für ein Zufall. Ich gehe am Donnerstag ins Papa's um mich dort mit Victoria zu treffen und siehe da, Fabiano und Isabelle mit zwei Herren. Es stellt sich heraus das der einte Ahmed ist und Isabelles und Fabianos Tauchlehrer. Der andere heisst Cedric, ist ein Belgier und war mit ihnen tauchen.
Wir sind dann noch lange sitzengeblieben und haben für den nächsten Abend abgemacht. Wir waren Fisch essen, was trinken, Billard spielen an einer After Party, die erst anfing, schwimmen, im Camel Roof essen und im Old Market. Also ich war nach diesen Tagen super kaputt und es war schön. Toll, dass ich sie treffen und mit ihnen Zeit verbringen durfte.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/IsabelleFabiano#5242481921679848802
Eigentlich kannte ich ja Isabelle gar nicht und Fabiano auch nicht wirklich. Aber trotzdem hatten wir eine gute Zeit miteinander. Isabelle und Fabiano haben mal mit meinem Vater bei der Avis in Glattbrugg gearbeitet. Sie wurden als Boten missbraucht und da ich ja sowieso jedes Wochenende an den Flughafen gehe, war ja klar, dass ich sie sehen werde.
Ich habe ihnen auch meine Handy Nr. gegeben, aber das mit der Vorwahl und so hat nicht ganz geklappt. Als ich im Hotel anrief hat niemand abgenommen und so habe ich am Donnerstag mein Vater gefragt, ob er mir die Handy Nr. von Fabiano schicken könnte.
Und dann was für ein Zufall. Ich gehe am Donnerstag ins Papa's um mich dort mit Victoria zu treffen und siehe da, Fabiano und Isabelle mit zwei Herren. Es stellt sich heraus das der einte Ahmed ist und Isabelles und Fabianos Tauchlehrer. Der andere heisst Cedric, ist ein Belgier und war mit ihnen tauchen.
Wir sind dann noch lange sitzengeblieben und haben für den nächsten Abend abgemacht. Wir waren Fisch essen, was trinken, Billard spielen an einer After Party, die erst anfing, schwimmen, im Camel Roof essen und im Old Market. Also ich war nach diesen Tagen super kaputt und es war schön. Toll, dass ich sie treffen und mit ihnen Zeit verbringen durfte.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/IsabelleFabiano#5242481921679848802
Mittwoch, 27. August 2008
Mosesmountain & St. Catherines
Well I knew that sooner or later I will not get around to go and climb the Mosesmountain. Actually I really wanted to do it but I heard that it is a very hard trip and so it is.
Yesterday Marhaba picked me up at around 11pm and we had a 3 hours drive to the St. Catherines monastery. We started to climb the mountain at about 3am and we arrived at the top at 6am. The sunrise was really beautiful and I was happy that I made it.
It is really a very touristic place. Katja do you remember the "Haleakala in Mau'i"? It's about the same. The only difference is that you can not drive up but if you want you can hire a guide and his camel.
Before climbing the last 750 steps there is an area where the people can stay which will not make it right up but you know me, right?! I am too proud to give up and not make it right to the top. It was very cold up there as you may see from the pictures and I was very tired.
At 7am we started to walk down again what took us about 2.5 hours It was already very hot and we didn't have any water left.
After a short break we went to visit the St. Catherine monastery. To be honest I was a little disappointed, I expected a lot more. And I also had the impression that they weren't really taking care of this site.
We left the St. Catherine area after a horrible breakfast and then headed back to Sharm. I was so tired and didn't do anything for the rest of the day, just had a jump into the pool.
The following two days I had problems walking around and even turning myself in the bed. I am happy that I made it right to the top and I am glad that I don't have to do it anymore.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/MosesmountainStCatherines#
Yesterday Marhaba picked me up at around 11pm and we had a 3 hours drive to the St. Catherines monastery. We started to climb the mountain at about 3am and we arrived at the top at 6am. The sunrise was really beautiful and I was happy that I made it.
It is really a very touristic place. Katja do you remember the "Haleakala in Mau'i"? It's about the same. The only difference is that you can not drive up but if you want you can hire a guide and his camel.
Before climbing the last 750 steps there is an area where the people can stay which will not make it right up but you know me, right?! I am too proud to give up and not make it right to the top. It was very cold up there as you may see from the pictures and I was very tired.
At 7am we started to walk down again what took us about 2.5 hours It was already very hot and we didn't have any water left.
After a short break we went to visit the St. Catherine monastery. To be honest I was a little disappointed, I expected a lot more. And I also had the impression that they weren't really taking care of this site.
We left the St. Catherine area after a horrible breakfast and then headed back to Sharm. I was so tired and didn't do anything for the rest of the day, just had a jump into the pool.
The following two days I had problems walking around and even turning myself in the bed. I am happy that I made it right to the top and I am glad that I don't have to do it anymore.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/MosesmountainStCatherines#
Samstag, 23. August 2008
Your numbers
Hello everybody.
I thought it was the end of the world, as I lost my mobilephone last Saturday. In the meantime I know that it's not really a tragedy.
Please be so kind and send me your mobilephone numbers and your date of birth so that I can complete my data again.
lilou_clark@yahoo.com
Many thanks in advance.
I thought it was the end of the world, as I lost my mobilephone last Saturday. In the meantime I know that it's not really a tragedy.
Please be so kind and send me your mobilephone numbers and your date of birth so that I can complete my data again.
lilou_clark@yahoo.com
Many thanks in advance.
Freitag, 22. August 2008
2 Months
Yes, it's 2 months since I left Switzerland and started a new life in Sharm El Sheikh.
There have been up's and downs but in general I have to say that I am happy to be able to make this experience.
I do speak a few words Arabic, the sun is shining everyday and I am definitely enjoying the contact with the guests (until now ;-)).
I can not yet say if it was worse to give up everything in Switzerland and to leave family, relatives and friends behind but home is just 4 hours from Sharm and I am definitely not planning to stay here for the rest of my life.
As soon as it will get a little cooler I want to climb the Mosesmountain, visit the St. Catherines Monastery, travel to Cairo and to Luxor. I am really looking forward to all this. People do ask me if I like Egypt, how could I answer this question, I was just in Sharm and I guess and hope that this is not the real Egypt. It's made for tourists and there is nothing you can do except diving, snorkeling, Quad driving, sunbathing and going out.
To get the maximum out of this stay I will start diving and I will probably also start wakeboarding.
I hope you are all doing fine and that you are having a good summer.
Take care.
And you are allowed to write comments into my blog.
There have been up's and downs but in general I have to say that I am happy to be able to make this experience.
I do speak a few words Arabic, the sun is shining everyday and I am definitely enjoying the contact with the guests (until now ;-)).
I can not yet say if it was worse to give up everything in Switzerland and to leave family, relatives and friends behind but home is just 4 hours from Sharm and I am definitely not planning to stay here for the rest of my life.
As soon as it will get a little cooler I want to climb the Mosesmountain, visit the St. Catherines Monastery, travel to Cairo and to Luxor. I am really looking forward to all this. People do ask me if I like Egypt, how could I answer this question, I was just in Sharm and I guess and hope that this is not the real Egypt. It's made for tourists and there is nothing you can do except diving, snorkeling, Quad driving, sunbathing and going out.
To get the maximum out of this stay I will start diving and I will probably also start wakeboarding.
I hope you are all doing fine and that you are having a good summer.
Take care.
And you are allowed to write comments into my blog.
Dienstag, 19. August 2008
"My" 1st visitors
„My” 1st visitors
It’s already two days ago since “my“ 1st visitors have left again. My parents, Tamara and Remo have been in Sharm for the last week. That was a really nice time, exhausting because I also had to work but all in all I really enjoyed the time with them.
On Monday we all had dinner together at the Hotel Renaissance main restaurant. The food is really good there, normal, they do have a Swiss Executive Chef (responsible for all the restaurants in the hotel). After dinner, Tamara, Remo and I went to the Old Market, also called Old Sharm to have a drink and smoke some shisha. Wednesday was my fathers B-Day so my brother had rented a boat and we all went out on the sea. My parents went diving and Tamara and Remo went snorkelling. In the evening we all had dinner at the Indian restaurant at the Camel Centre. Thursday was Remo’s B-Day and I had prepared a surprise. We told him we would go camel riding, that is ok but not really for young people’s birthday, if you understand what I mean, so we actually went Quad driving. Later in the evening we met again and as it was Remo’s B-Day it was his turn to choose and so we went to the casino. Friday I met my parents for dinner at the Camel Centre and on Saturday I met Tamara and Remo at their hotel and I did do some sunbathing with them. We had dinner with my parents and Tamara, Remo and I went to visit “Alf Leila Wa Leila”. We then met later with my parents, my brother and Victoria at Papa’s.
And the week could not end worse than by me loosing my mobile phone.
Mami, Daddy, Tamara and Remo, many thanks for this wonderful week.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/My1stVisitors
It’s already two days ago since “my“ 1st visitors have left again. My parents, Tamara and Remo have been in Sharm for the last week. That was a really nice time, exhausting because I also had to work but all in all I really enjoyed the time with them.
On Monday we all had dinner together at the Hotel Renaissance main restaurant. The food is really good there, normal, they do have a Swiss Executive Chef (responsible for all the restaurants in the hotel). After dinner, Tamara, Remo and I went to the Old Market, also called Old Sharm to have a drink and smoke some shisha. Wednesday was my fathers B-Day so my brother had rented a boat and we all went out on the sea. My parents went diving and Tamara and Remo went snorkelling. In the evening we all had dinner at the Indian restaurant at the Camel Centre. Thursday was Remo’s B-Day and I had prepared a surprise. We told him we would go camel riding, that is ok but not really for young people’s birthday, if you understand what I mean, so we actually went Quad driving. Later in the evening we met again and as it was Remo’s B-Day it was his turn to choose and so we went to the casino. Friday I met my parents for dinner at the Camel Centre and on Saturday I met Tamara and Remo at their hotel and I did do some sunbathing with them. We had dinner with my parents and Tamara, Remo and I went to visit “Alf Leila Wa Leila”. We then met later with my parents, my brother and Victoria at Papa’s.
And the week could not end worse than by me loosing my mobile phone.
Mami, Daddy, Tamara and Remo, many thanks for this wonderful week.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/My1stVisitors
Freitag, 8. August 2008
1st night out / 3rd excursion: Blue Hole
Yes, I finally managed to go out. Thursday is the night to go out in Sharm El Sheikh and that is what I did. I met with Victoria, Valeria and Susi at the main Taxi Stop in Naama Bay. Victoria is my brother’s girlfriend, Valeria is Victoria’s sister and Susi is a friend from Valeria who is here for a two week vacation. We went to the Camel Bar where they had a live band playing. The place was full and I even knew a few people, which Miki had introduced to me. They are all working for Camel.
The evening was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed my 1st night out. The Manager of the bar offered me an alcoholic drink which was really good as it only contained the half of the alcohol it would normally do. I also had two Tequilas but Josy and Denise know that I definitely wasn’t drunk just of this small quantity of alcohol. Somehow I don’t get drunk very fast, even though I am not used to drink. When I had the Tequila I had to think about Reto Voser with whom I worked at CEFS and had my 1st Tequila with at one of the Lollipop parties I went to.
So it was really good to go out and meet some people. Until now I was mostly working and when I wasn’t, I was in my room.
I got home at about 3am and I had to get up at 6.30am as I went on my 3rd excursion: “Blue Hole”. This is a place in Dahab, where you can snorkel or dive and where it just goes very deep down and you can’t see anything below, everything is just blue. But let’s start at the beginning. We got picked up at 7.30am and drove into the desert. Our driver was really cool because he did drive fast and over anything that would be fun for us. The Marhaba tourguide was mad and told him that he should slow down and that he should drive in the group. I swear, sometimes these guys are so boring. They stress in the wrong moments and leave too much time where there is no reason for. After about 50 minutes Safari in the desert and after two stops (Bedouin cemetery and Mountain called “Breast”) we did some camel riding and then had tea and bread with the Bedouins. I didn’t do the camel riding anymore because they smell too strong and I can tell you, it was just tooooooo hot in the desert. Afterwards we had a one hour drive to Dahab where we went snorkelling. “Blue Hole”, amazing, really very impressing. The only thing is that it was VERY touristic, Jeeps and Camels everywhere and too many people in the water. At about 3pm we had lunch at a restaurant in Dahab called “Ali Baba”. The restaurant was really nice, just next to the sea, clean, good and fast service and the food was delicious. A quick visit at the bazaar and then we went back home. At 6pm I was finally at my room and the plan to go to the office was cancelled by me falling asleep at about 7pm.
The trip is really good but for Swiss people some things would have to get changed. We want adventure, so the Jeep should do safari and not drive behind the other cars on the road. The tourguide should not tell them that they can order a drink and as soon as it arrives, he tells them that they should make sure that they have all their belongings and go to the car. He also should not bring them to a bazaar which is in a building like a shopping centre, in general Swiss people prefer to walk through little roads and visit little shops.
It’s really not easy to work with them, but I just tell myself that I don’t care. One of them always talks in a very rude way to me and next time I’ll see him I will tell him to relax. They think they know everything but in regarding to Swiss guests they could learn so much. People here don’t listen. When you talk to them they think they already know what you want to say, what in most of the cases is not true, but still they don’t listen. They know everything and don’t let anybody tell them anything. I know that I am in a different country but still, sometimes I really just have to walk away not to be embarrassed by them. Even though the weekends are very tiring, I always look forward to the moments I can pick up new guests from the airport. The contact with the guests from Switzerland makes me enjoy my work.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/1stNightOut3rdExcursionBlueHole
The evening was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed my 1st night out. The Manager of the bar offered me an alcoholic drink which was really good as it only contained the half of the alcohol it would normally do. I also had two Tequilas but Josy and Denise know that I definitely wasn’t drunk just of this small quantity of alcohol. Somehow I don’t get drunk very fast, even though I am not used to drink. When I had the Tequila I had to think about Reto Voser with whom I worked at CEFS and had my 1st Tequila with at one of the Lollipop parties I went to.
So it was really good to go out and meet some people. Until now I was mostly working and when I wasn’t, I was in my room.
I got home at about 3am and I had to get up at 6.30am as I went on my 3rd excursion: “Blue Hole”. This is a place in Dahab, where you can snorkel or dive and where it just goes very deep down and you can’t see anything below, everything is just blue. But let’s start at the beginning. We got picked up at 7.30am and drove into the desert. Our driver was really cool because he did drive fast and over anything that would be fun for us. The Marhaba tourguide was mad and told him that he should slow down and that he should drive in the group. I swear, sometimes these guys are so boring. They stress in the wrong moments and leave too much time where there is no reason for. After about 50 minutes Safari in the desert and after two stops (Bedouin cemetery and Mountain called “Breast”) we did some camel riding and then had tea and bread with the Bedouins. I didn’t do the camel riding anymore because they smell too strong and I can tell you, it was just tooooooo hot in the desert. Afterwards we had a one hour drive to Dahab where we went snorkelling. “Blue Hole”, amazing, really very impressing. The only thing is that it was VERY touristic, Jeeps and Camels everywhere and too many people in the water. At about 3pm we had lunch at a restaurant in Dahab called “Ali Baba”. The restaurant was really nice, just next to the sea, clean, good and fast service and the food was delicious. A quick visit at the bazaar and then we went back home. At 6pm I was finally at my room and the plan to go to the office was cancelled by me falling asleep at about 7pm.
The trip is really good but for Swiss people some things would have to get changed. We want adventure, so the Jeep should do safari and not drive behind the other cars on the road. The tourguide should not tell them that they can order a drink and as soon as it arrives, he tells them that they should make sure that they have all their belongings and go to the car. He also should not bring them to a bazaar which is in a building like a shopping centre, in general Swiss people prefer to walk through little roads and visit little shops.
It’s really not easy to work with them, but I just tell myself that I don’t care. One of them always talks in a very rude way to me and next time I’ll see him I will tell him to relax. They think they know everything but in regarding to Swiss guests they could learn so much. People here don’t listen. When you talk to them they think they already know what you want to say, what in most of the cases is not true, but still they don’t listen. They know everything and don’t let anybody tell them anything. I know that I am in a different country but still, sometimes I really just have to walk away not to be embarrassed by them. Even though the weekends are very tiring, I always look forward to the moments I can pick up new guests from the airport. The contact with the guests from Switzerland makes me enjoy my work.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/1stNightOut3rdExcursionBlueHole
Mittwoch, 30. Juli 2008
It's over a month now since I have left my home to come to Sharm El Sheikh.
Almost everything is fine except that I would give anything for 10°C less. The heat is really a problem for me. I do have headache very often. Ok, probably I do not drink enough but I do try really hard.
As I arrived about 38 days ago I didn't like the place straight away but it's getting better and better. Probably the separation from family, friends and Switzerland was just too much. I start liking the place and I am enjoying life here. But I have to admit that only 5 weeks after my departure I do miss food from Switzerland soo much. About one week ago I was dreaming about the "Krustenkranzbrot" and the "Himbeer Roulade" from Migros. I would also love a salad from Betty Bossi, you know the one you can buy @ Coop Pronto. Or a real Sandwich from DeliFrance would also be great.......
And now some thanks:
Laschkolnigs, many thanks for the keyholder, I am using it everyday. Astrid, the towel you had offered me is really great, specially with the 40°C we are having right now. Katja, unfortunately I couldn't hang up the picture wall yet, as it doesn't stick to the wall here and I have to go and buy some nails and different things for the apt. But I am looking forward to hang it up soon and to have pictures printed, so that I can look at them every day. Tamara and Remo, your Longchamp "bag" is just great. I am using it since day 1 and I have it always with me. It's just the perfect size to carry around what a woman really needs. Christoph I also took your book and I am looking forward when I can use it for the 1st time. And Josy, your bracelet is beautiful. I am not wearing it every day as I am a little afraid to loose it but I just love it. Many thanks to all of you.
I hope you enjoy reading my posts.
Take care and enjoy the 30°C.
Almost everything is fine except that I would give anything for 10°C less. The heat is really a problem for me. I do have headache very often. Ok, probably I do not drink enough but I do try really hard.
As I arrived about 38 days ago I didn't like the place straight away but it's getting better and better. Probably the separation from family, friends and Switzerland was just too much. I start liking the place and I am enjoying life here. But I have to admit that only 5 weeks after my departure I do miss food from Switzerland soo much. About one week ago I was dreaming about the "Krustenkranzbrot" and the "Himbeer Roulade" from Migros. I would also love a salad from Betty Bossi, you know the one you can buy @ Coop Pronto. Or a real Sandwich from DeliFrance would also be great.......
And now some thanks:
Laschkolnigs, many thanks for the keyholder, I am using it everyday. Astrid, the towel you had offered me is really great, specially with the 40°C we are having right now. Katja, unfortunately I couldn't hang up the picture wall yet, as it doesn't stick to the wall here and I have to go and buy some nails and different things for the apt. But I am looking forward to hang it up soon and to have pictures printed, so that I can look at them every day. Tamara and Remo, your Longchamp "bag" is just great. I am using it since day 1 and I have it always with me. It's just the perfect size to carry around what a woman really needs. Christoph I also took your book and I am looking forward when I can use it for the 1st time. And Josy, your bracelet is beautiful. I am not wearing it every day as I am a little afraid to loose it but I just love it. Many thanks to all of you.
I hope you enjoy reading my posts.
Take care and enjoy the 30°C.
Samstag, 26. Juli 2008
it's not always easy
Almost one week over again and a lot of things have happened. From time to time I ask myself if I have taken the right decision to come here and to work for a company I actually didn't even know. Now I am here and even if I wouldn't like it, I would be to proud to come home. But the good thing is that I do like it. I do really like the work with the guests even though sometimes they think I am superwoman.... normal, with this name ;-)
Working with the locals is not always easy. Their attitude is so different and sometimes even appears arrogant. But it's ok, I will get used to it. The only thing is that I really do not want to become like them. Sometimes they seem so aggressive. You ask something, just because you aren't sure if you understood correct and they think you have a problem. Their ton sometimes is so hard and it seems like they do not enjoy their work. Well they are not the only ones, there are loads and loads of persons in this world which do have the same problem. I know, me too I can be pretty hard but mostly I do have a reason but here, it's just like part of their character.
So, I will go and look for some guests which did not know that the international check out time is 12:00 and want to keep their room longer without having to pay. And this is where they think I am superwoman.....
Working with the locals is not always easy. Their attitude is so different and sometimes even appears arrogant. But it's ok, I will get used to it. The only thing is that I really do not want to become like them. Sometimes they seem so aggressive. You ask something, just because you aren't sure if you understood correct and they think you have a problem. Their ton sometimes is so hard and it seems like they do not enjoy their work. Well they are not the only ones, there are loads and loads of persons in this world which do have the same problem. I know, me too I can be pretty hard but mostly I do have a reason but here, it's just like part of their character.
So, I will go and look for some guests which did not know that the international check out time is 12:00 and want to keep their room longer without having to pay. And this is where they think I am superwoman.....
Sonntag, 20. Juli 2008
Welcome Meeting
Yes I made it!!!!
Last Sunday I already made my 1st welcome meeting, but a tourguide from Marhaba was with me. Today that was not the case. I did two welcome meetings on my own and I am happy that it's behind me. I have been nervous for the last two days because of this.
But at the second meeting today, as I have finished everything and I was just about to sell the trips, a tourguide came because apparently in the office they do not yet trust me. These guys are really funny. The tourguides ask me why I don't do the welcome meetings on my own, as I am working for them since 3 weeks and the managers don't want me to do them by myself. Whatever, I sold about 10 trips today. It won't make me rich but it's at least a little money.
The transfers to and form the airport are no problem anymore and I am sure that with time I will also be good in doing welcome meetings. I do have a lot of information and already know a few things about Egypt, but still, it should be natural when I am telling the guests and not like I would have just learned a text by heart. But it's not what I did, I know the things and I do actually enjoy giving information to my guests.
Well, I have to do some work yet and in 4 hours I have to get up again to pick new guests from the airport. This weekend and the coming week are and will be really hard.
Last Sunday I already made my 1st welcome meeting, but a tourguide from Marhaba was with me. Today that was not the case. I did two welcome meetings on my own and I am happy that it's behind me. I have been nervous for the last two days because of this.
But at the second meeting today, as I have finished everything and I was just about to sell the trips, a tourguide came because apparently in the office they do not yet trust me. These guys are really funny. The tourguides ask me why I don't do the welcome meetings on my own, as I am working for them since 3 weeks and the managers don't want me to do them by myself. Whatever, I sold about 10 trips today. It won't make me rich but it's at least a little money.
The transfers to and form the airport are no problem anymore and I am sure that with time I will also be good in doing welcome meetings. I do have a lot of information and already know a few things about Egypt, but still, it should be natural when I am telling the guests and not like I would have just learned a text by heart. But it's not what I did, I know the things and I do actually enjoy giving information to my guests.
Well, I have to do some work yet and in 4 hours I have to get up again to pick new guests from the airport. This weekend and the coming week are and will be really hard.
Donnerstag, 17. Juli 2008
New Home
Hi everybody. Yes it has been a while since my last post.
I am doing fine. Work is hard but I know that you will not believe me. But going from one hotel to the other when it's 40°C is not always very pleasant.
When you press the link you will find some pictures of my new home.
The coming weekend I have about 40 guests arriving, this is the most since I am here. I am a little nervous but also looking forward to it to see if I learned enough within the last 2.5 weeks and to verify if I will be up to it.
The hotel where I do have my room is very nice. Don't even think that I am living in a room next to the beach with seaview, no, it's a room in the building at the end of the hotel area and it's a staff room, but it's okay.
I am now here since 25 days and today I have been swimming in the sea for the first time since I am here. The water is beautiful and so clear. The fishes are coming right up to the beach. The thing here is that there is almost no possibility to get into the sea right of the beach. Along the coast are coral riffs (probably that is not how it should be written) and therefor you have to use a jetty.
Well the battery of my laptop is low, therefore I say goodbye.
I hope you are all doing fine and I am sure the weather will soon get better.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/MyNewHome
I am doing fine. Work is hard but I know that you will not believe me. But going from one hotel to the other when it's 40°C is not always very pleasant.
When you press the link you will find some pictures of my new home.
The coming weekend I have about 40 guests arriving, this is the most since I am here. I am a little nervous but also looking forward to it to see if I learned enough within the last 2.5 weeks and to verify if I will be up to it.
The hotel where I do have my room is very nice. Don't even think that I am living in a room next to the beach with seaview, no, it's a room in the building at the end of the hotel area and it's a staff room, but it's okay.
I am now here since 25 days and today I have been swimming in the sea for the first time since I am here. The water is beautiful and so clear. The fishes are coming right up to the beach. The thing here is that there is almost no possibility to get into the sea right of the beach. Along the coast are coral riffs (probably that is not how it should be written) and therefor you have to use a jetty.
Well the battery of my laptop is low, therefore I say goodbye.
I hope you are all doing fine and I am sure the weather will soon get better.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/MyNewHome
Montag, 7. Juli 2008
1st weekend
So I survived the 1st weekend. I can tell you this is not a "Schoggi-Job".
Just an overview of the hours I worked on Sunday:
00h20 - 04h00:
pick up guests from the hotel to bring them to the airport, pick up new guests from the airport to bring them to their hotel
11h00 - 14h30:
again, pick up guests from the hotel to bring them to the airport, pick up new guests from the airport to bring them to their hotel
18h00 - 21h30:
welcome meetings
It may always just be a few hours but I can tell you that this is the hard part of the job. You stand up, take a shower, get ready, work for 3 or 4 hours, get back, try to sleep, wake up, take again a shower, get ready, work for a few hours and then the same thing again.
But I won't complain because it's fun. I am one of the few persons who can say that I do enjoy my job. Well until now, things can always change and perhaps in a few weeks I am fed up of always telling the guests the same things, sitting in the lobbys waiting for a guest to come and ask something and drive from hotel to hotel and sometimes to the airport.
I will take things how they come and the cool part is that you have always other guests. Young couples, not so young couples, friends, families, just everything. And it's a lot of fun telling them things about Egypt and Sinaï which I just have learned. But you all know that I am a good student (not talking about grades but about work) and that I am writing everything down that any tourguide would tell me. I know already a lot of things and I am working on my arabic ;-)
The only thing which is a little difficult for me is the weather. During the day it's about 38°C and in the night, at 3pm it's still 27° to 29°C. And as I am really trying to respect the tradition and the cultur I am only wearing trousers covering my knees and T-Shirts which cover my shoulders.
I swear, here in Sharm there are mostly russians and they, well perhaps not all of them but the biggest part does really not care about being in another country. When you walk through Naama Bay you can recognise them just of how they are dressed.
But now I have to get some rest. Tomorrow I go on the excursion which is called "City Trip". It's only my second excursion and I am looking forward to it.
Hope you are all doing fine.
Just an overview of the hours I worked on Sunday:
00h20 - 04h00:
pick up guests from the hotel to bring them to the airport, pick up new guests from the airport to bring them to their hotel
11h00 - 14h30:
again, pick up guests from the hotel to bring them to the airport, pick up new guests from the airport to bring them to their hotel
18h00 - 21h30:
welcome meetings
It may always just be a few hours but I can tell you that this is the hard part of the job. You stand up, take a shower, get ready, work for 3 or 4 hours, get back, try to sleep, wake up, take again a shower, get ready, work for a few hours and then the same thing again.
But I won't complain because it's fun. I am one of the few persons who can say that I do enjoy my job. Well until now, things can always change and perhaps in a few weeks I am fed up of always telling the guests the same things, sitting in the lobbys waiting for a guest to come and ask something and drive from hotel to hotel and sometimes to the airport.
I will take things how they come and the cool part is that you have always other guests. Young couples, not so young couples, friends, families, just everything. And it's a lot of fun telling them things about Egypt and Sinaï which I just have learned. But you all know that I am a good student (not talking about grades but about work) and that I am writing everything down that any tourguide would tell me. I know already a lot of things and I am working on my arabic ;-)
The only thing which is a little difficult for me is the weather. During the day it's about 38°C and in the night, at 3pm it's still 27° to 29°C. And as I am really trying to respect the tradition and the cultur I am only wearing trousers covering my knees and T-Shirts which cover my shoulders.
I swear, here in Sharm there are mostly russians and they, well perhaps not all of them but the biggest part does really not care about being in another country. When you walk through Naama Bay you can recognise them just of how they are dressed.
But now I have to get some rest. Tomorrow I go on the excursion which is called "City Trip". It's only my second excursion and I am looking forward to it.
Hope you are all doing fine.
Freitag, 4. Juli 2008
Update
Actually I don't even know where to start. It has been 5 days since I wrote the last time.
I have started work and until now I really enjoy it. Everybody from the local agency (Marhaba, that means welcome) is really very nice. It's a good atmosphere and working with them is a good thing. You now may think that I work like 2 hours per day and that the rest of the time I'm lying at the pool or at the beach. But no, that is absolutely not the case. For example: Today or actually yesterday I got picked up at 9.45, we had our first visiting hour at 10.30, then another one at 11.30, afterwards we went to the office, wrote departure letters and made the planning for next week. Then I went home and worked until 17.00. At 18.40 I got picked up for two other visiting hours, one at 19.00 and the other one at 20.00. I got home by 21.30, so you see, my days are pretty busy.
About the room there would be a lot to write but this story would take too much time and I just would get upset again. Short version: Back in Switzerland I was told that I would get a regular guest room, like our guests book in the hotel. I can tell you that when I finally got the room I was surprised and upset then the room has absolutely nothing in common with a regular guest room. So for this reason I am still staying at my brothers neighbours flat and I am waiting that the situation gets fixed, but there is not a lot of hope.
I will definitely keep you posted and I hope that I will be able to write about a Happy End.
I have started work and until now I really enjoy it. Everybody from the local agency (Marhaba, that means welcome) is really very nice. It's a good atmosphere and working with them is a good thing. You now may think that I work like 2 hours per day and that the rest of the time I'm lying at the pool or at the beach. But no, that is absolutely not the case. For example: Today or actually yesterday I got picked up at 9.45, we had our first visiting hour at 10.30, then another one at 11.30, afterwards we went to the office, wrote departure letters and made the planning for next week. Then I went home and worked until 17.00. At 18.40 I got picked up for two other visiting hours, one at 19.00 and the other one at 20.00. I got home by 21.30, so you see, my days are pretty busy.
About the room there would be a lot to write but this story would take too much time and I just would get upset again. Short version: Back in Switzerland I was told that I would get a regular guest room, like our guests book in the hotel. I can tell you that when I finally got the room I was surprised and upset then the room has absolutely nothing in common with a regular guest room. So for this reason I am still staying at my brothers neighbours flat and I am waiting that the situation gets fixed, but there is not a lot of hope.
I will definitely keep you posted and I hope that I will be able to write about a Happy End.
Sonntag, 29. Juni 2008
My 1st working day
Saletti
Yes, today I had my 1st working day. Actually it wasn't an official one but as the guide (Karin) who is here now will leave on Tuesday, I just wanted to take advantage of her and see what the job actually is about.
I can tell you that the day today was a lot more exhausting then a day in the office. I left the house at 11am and came back at 9pm and between I actually just had a 30 min break.
But if you are interested you can continue to read and you will know what exactly my work will be:
So I went to the Renaissance Golden View (yes Tamara and Remo, this is the hotel where you will be staying) to meet the guide from Marhaba, that is the local agency we work with. There we picked up a few guests to bring them to the airport. I do recognize them as they came in one week ago with the same flight as myself. At the airport we met the MediaShop guide Karin who had picked up the guests from the hotels in Nabq. As you arrive at the airport you first have to go through a security check before you even go and do your check-in. This is also where we already have to say goodbye to our guests as we are not allowed to enter this area. One Marhaba guide will be inside and will help the guests to do their check-in. Afterwards they will go through the passport control and then through another security check.
The guides just move over to the arrival terminal as the next guests will be landing within the next 50 minutes. When they then actually arrive we welcome them and wait until the group is complete. As soon as everybody is in the bus we hand them out a brochure with some information about when the welcome meeting will take place, the visiting hours, the excursions they can book and a form for the check-in of the hotel. On the way to the hotel we give some little information but not too much as the guests are tired. But we do ask them to complete the form so ones we arrive at the hotel the check-in will be a lot faster.
Everything here is really organised, that doesn’t always mean it’s well organised, but it’s organised.
The further things I have to take care off are the welcome meetings, the visiting hours, sell excursions and some office work. I will be working each day except perhaps one day if I can plan it this way. Even though it’s just two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon, except when it’s what I will call „transfer day“ you still have to get from one hotel to the other, wait, stand around, listen carefully and all that when it’s about 40°C outside.
I went with Karin to do 3 welcome meetings, two in German and one in French. I took a lot of notes and I am sure that I will be able to do this. The only thing that makes me a little nervous is planing the pick ups, the transfers and remembering the guests by their name. But I will be going with a Marhaba guide to learn everything and after one week I should be fine. If this is not the case I can ask him to train me another week.
It was a very good 1st working day. All the guides are very friendly and one driver already started to teach me some Arabic. I can already read all arabic numbers, I can say: ok, straight on, left and right and all this after just one week ;-)
At the airport I was a little sad when I recognised the people and knew that they are going home but not me. But I was happy to work and excited to learn something about my new job.
I got home at 9pm, completely exhausted and I am happy that tomorrow I am off as my official 1st working day is on July 1st.
Yesterday, Miki, Victoria and myself went to „Old Sharm“. When you decide to come and visit Sharm and me I will take you there as it’s really a very nice place.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/Egypt20081stWeek
PS: Germany I am sorry!!!
Yes, today I had my 1st working day. Actually it wasn't an official one but as the guide (Karin) who is here now will leave on Tuesday, I just wanted to take advantage of her and see what the job actually is about.
I can tell you that the day today was a lot more exhausting then a day in the office. I left the house at 11am and came back at 9pm and between I actually just had a 30 min break.
But if you are interested you can continue to read and you will know what exactly my work will be:
So I went to the Renaissance Golden View (yes Tamara and Remo, this is the hotel where you will be staying) to meet the guide from Marhaba, that is the local agency we work with. There we picked up a few guests to bring them to the airport. I do recognize them as they came in one week ago with the same flight as myself. At the airport we met the MediaShop guide Karin who had picked up the guests from the hotels in Nabq. As you arrive at the airport you first have to go through a security check before you even go and do your check-in. This is also where we already have to say goodbye to our guests as we are not allowed to enter this area. One Marhaba guide will be inside and will help the guests to do their check-in. Afterwards they will go through the passport control and then through another security check.
The guides just move over to the arrival terminal as the next guests will be landing within the next 50 minutes. When they then actually arrive we welcome them and wait until the group is complete. As soon as everybody is in the bus we hand them out a brochure with some information about when the welcome meeting will take place, the visiting hours, the excursions they can book and a form for the check-in of the hotel. On the way to the hotel we give some little information but not too much as the guests are tired. But we do ask them to complete the form so ones we arrive at the hotel the check-in will be a lot faster.
Everything here is really organised, that doesn’t always mean it’s well organised, but it’s organised.
The further things I have to take care off are the welcome meetings, the visiting hours, sell excursions and some office work. I will be working each day except perhaps one day if I can plan it this way. Even though it’s just two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon, except when it’s what I will call „transfer day“ you still have to get from one hotel to the other, wait, stand around, listen carefully and all that when it’s about 40°C outside.
I went with Karin to do 3 welcome meetings, two in German and one in French. I took a lot of notes and I am sure that I will be able to do this. The only thing that makes me a little nervous is planing the pick ups, the transfers and remembering the guests by their name. But I will be going with a Marhaba guide to learn everything and after one week I should be fine. If this is not the case I can ask him to train me another week.
It was a very good 1st working day. All the guides are very friendly and one driver already started to teach me some Arabic. I can already read all arabic numbers, I can say: ok, straight on, left and right and all this after just one week ;-)
At the airport I was a little sad when I recognised the people and knew that they are going home but not me. But I was happy to work and excited to learn something about my new job.
I got home at 9pm, completely exhausted and I am happy that tomorrow I am off as my official 1st working day is on July 1st.
Yesterday, Miki, Victoria and myself went to „Old Sharm“. When you decide to come and visit Sharm and me I will take you there as it’s really a very nice place.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/Egypt20081stWeek
PS: Germany I am sorry!!!
Donnerstag, 26. Juni 2008
My new home
Hello Everybody!!!
Today I finally got to know, which hotel I will be able to call "home". It is the Inter Plaza Beach Hotel: http://www.interplazasharm.com/. I will be moving in on July 1st and I am really looking forward to that.
Yesterday I was on my first excursion. We went camel riding and then had dinner with Beduins out in the desert. It was a nice experience. It is so hot that even at 9pm in the evening you wish you would have an AC with you. I met a few persons (Agency Marhaba) with whom I will be working and I also got an idea of the "problems" I could experience with my guests, but I am looking forward to be able to get started...
Close to my brothers house there is a huge Aquaparc where Victoria and myself have gone today. The entry fee is 165 Egyptian Pounds which is about a 33 Swiss Francs. That is almost the same price as Alpamare, only the big difference is that people do earn a lot less here. I wonder how they manage!!!!
Dienstag, 24. Juni 2008
Future Posts
That everybody can understand my posts, I will in the future write in English. It may not have improved since my mails from Tibet, but who cares, as long as you can all understand me...
So today Miki had to work, so Victoria and I went again to the Pool from Rock Hotel. We just took some sun and got back again. The taxi drivers are really crazy, I have the impression they think to be on a Formula1 circuit. Perhaps I should get a life insurance....
Tomorrow I will go on my first excursion. Camel riding and Beduin Evening, that sounds awsome and I am really looking forward to it.
I will definitely keep you posted.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/Egypt20081stWeek
So today Miki had to work, so Victoria and I went again to the Pool from Rock Hotel. We just took some sun and got back again. The taxi drivers are really crazy, I have the impression they think to be on a Formula1 circuit. Perhaps I should get a life insurance....
Tomorrow I will go on my first excursion. Camel riding and Beduin Evening, that sounds awsome and I am really looking forward to it.
I will definitely keep you posted.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/Egypt20081stWeek
Montag, 23. Juni 2008
Welcome in Egypt
Gestern hat also mein neues Leben wirklich angefangen. Noch in der "alten Heimat" aufgewacht und jetzt schon seit mehr als 24 Stunden in der "neuen Heimat". Kann mich zwar noch nicht so ganz mit dem Gedanken anfreunden, aber ich denke der Stress der letzten 3 Wochen sowie der Abschied von meiner Familie und Freunden ist einfach noch zu aktuell.Es ist hier zwischen 35 und 37 Grad, ein bisschen zu heiss für mich aber Miki hat gesagt, ich werde mich schon noch daran gewöhnen. Er und Victoria kümmern sich ganz rührend um mich. Gestern waren wir am Pool vom Rock Hotel. Es gibt dort auch eine Art Pub und Miki schaut sich dort gerne die Formel 1 Rennen an. Danach waren wir am Meer essen, wo man bis spät in den Abend gemütlich sitzen bleiben kann. Heute haben wir in Nabq die Hotels angeschaut, wo die Gäste von meinem neuen Arbeitgeber logieren.
Ich denke wenn ich dann mein eigenes Zimmer habe und mich einrichten konnte, sollte es mit dem Heimweh besser werden.
Jetzt bin ich aber müde, es ist hier 19 Uhr, eine Stunde später als in der Schweiz und wir werden wohl nicht mehr viel machen.
Tja, jetzt ist es also geschehen. Nur Mut, es kommt alles so, wie es kommen muss.
Freitag, 20. Juni 2008
Farewell: Sugar Lounge
Was für ein schöner Abend. Ich durfte also nochmals viele meiner Freunde sehen, bevor mein neues Leben beginnt.
Entschuldigung an alle die da waren aber von denen es kein Photo gibt.
Vielen herzlichen Dank an alle fürs Kommen.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/June201FarewellSugarLounge
Entschuldigung an alle die da waren aber von denen es kein Photo gibt.
Vielen herzlichen Dank an alle fürs Kommen.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lilou.clark/June201FarewellSugarLounge
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