tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56842719639465578432011-11-28T02:36:21.239+02:00Aryeh A. Leifertnoreply@blogger.comBlogger21100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684271963946557843.post-59316511439822425412009-12-21T21:19:00.000+02:002009-12-21T21:19:34.938+02:00<ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Being an effective tour guide is much more than just knowing one's "stuff."&nbsp; It is preparing the logistical aspects of the trip, preparing for the unexpected, and acting and dressing professionally.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Know when to be quiet on a trip.&nbsp; If they want to sleep, let them sleep.</li><li>Have some activities prepared for the kids; the parents will love you for it.</li><li>If the schedule is changing (e.g. lunch will be a bit late) for unavoidable reasons, let the group know ASAP.</li><li>No one is listening right after lunch.&nbsp; Keep quiet.</li><li>On the trips, sell yourself!&nbsp; You are in a try-out for the next trip, when one of the current guests recommends you to his friends.</li><li>Be prepared!&nbsp; Maps, readings et al.&nbsp; Have a packet for every pair of seats, if desired.</li></ul><b>Coming Up!!!&nbsp; Trip #1 - December 22, 2009 - Beit Shemesh area, including:</b><br /><ol><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azekah">Tel Azeka/תל עזקה</a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beit_Shemesh">Tel Beit Shemesh/תל בית שמש</a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzora">Tel Tzor'a/תל צרעה</a></li><li>Grave of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_%28Bible%29">Dan ben Yaakov</a></li><li>Biblical Sculpture Garden in Beit Shemesh</li><li><a href="http://www.israelwines.co.il/ArticleItem.aspx?id=643">Moni Winery/יקב מוני</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_Rafat">Dir Rafat Monastery/מנזר דייר-ראפאת</a></li><li>Mano'ach's altar<br /></li></ol><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5684271963946557843-5931651143982242541?l=walkingisrael.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aryeh A. Leifertnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684271963946557843.post-71357483960298026002009-12-06T08:50:00.000+02:002009-12-06T08:50:47.049+02:00<div style="text-align: justify;">After many hiccups, my tour guiding course at <a href="http://www.lander.ac.il/Content.asp?Page=Tour_Guide_License">Machon Lander</a> is about to begin, this Friday, December 11.&nbsp; I am still hoping to get a ride in from Mazkeret Batya, so I need not sleep in Jerusalem twice a week.&nbsp; The problem?&nbsp; The trips are scheduled to leave from Binyanei ha-Uma at 6:45 every Tuesday, and the earliest bus gets in at 7:15.&nbsp; The classes are each Friday from 8:00a-12:30p, and the earliest bus gets in at 8:15 (thanks, Friday <a href="http://www.egged.co.il/">Egged</a> schedule!).&nbsp; There are a number of solutions:<br /></div><ol><li>There is a woman in Mazkeret Batya who goes in every weekday between 5:30-6:00a, so that would solve the Tuesday problem.</li><li>My brother-in-law has kindly offered to let me stay at his apartment the night before trip- or class days.</li><li>When the trips are going to either the Tel Aviv-, Ashdod-, or Be'er Sheva area, they will need to go in my direction anyway, so I could meet the bus at one of a number of junctions, either on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_1_%28Israel%29">Highway 1</a> to Tel Aviv, or on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_3_%28Israel%29">Highway 3</a> to the coast and Be'er Sheva.</li></ol>I'll figure out something.&nbsp; Look forward to updating you (and me!).<br /><br />Stay tuned for class- and trip updates.&nbsp; Check out the <a href="http://www.lander.ac.il/uploads/English%20Tour%20GuideCourse%283%29.doc">list of trips</a>, and be very envious of me.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5684271963946557843-7135748396029802600?l=walkingisrael.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Aryeh A. Leifertnoreply@blogger.com0