18 Messages
Are you an Travel Advisor for STA or what are you doing??? I am looking into applying for the position and just want to know if you like it and what you do?? Is it possible to apply to a travel advisor in a country other then the USA?
on 3/26/08,
dstarry says:
Hey Jen! How is NYC? I hope that all is well and that you are getting a lot of use out of your ISIC in New York :)
Going back to sunny North Canton any time soon?
on 3/22/08,
herinapotter says:
Thanks for the comment! I went skydiving in Queensland, New Zealand last July. It was amazing! I'm going to Australia this summer, and I plan to skydive again! :)
How is New York?? are you enjoying the job??
on 9/22/07,
undergo7 says:
I was wondering if you have found anything else to do in New York that you think is interesting. I will be out there for four days in Oct. and I will be walking around all day while my friend is at work. What do you think are the best non-tourist things to do/see.
on 9/1/07,
surfermonkey808 says:
you should def. come to maui !
theres hiking and beach voleyball all kinds of fun things to do.
on 8/30/07,
oliviaw says:
I wish I had plans to travel!! Right now just workin away :) i haven't been to nearly ANYWHERE in the world... but that's why i'm at STA Travel right? :)
hey! well actually I have been just in the borders. I went to de Iguazu Fox and to el Amazons ... so it was easy for me because of my spanish...but i guess it will be different if you go to the capital or the other cities that are deeper inside the country! Anyways I wich you the best if you decide to go there! be carefull though Brazilians flirt a lot!
hahah South Dakota is alright....i'm one of those restless types though and can't stay in one place too long..but I know I'll always be back to SD. How awesome you get to work for STA!!! What do you all get to do????? Well I'm actually moving to Germany in the beginning of September. Teaching english and taking a few classes at a university an hour west of Berlin. I'm so pumped!!! So I could be in Slovakia again sooner then later...I'm dreaming of Croatia for now through!!! Just something about that country I have to go explore!
on 8/23/07,
ashleybabin says:
Hey I was just wondering if you knew of any good hostels near the train station in Rome. I am flying in pretty late the first day I am there and I want something thats really easily accessible. Also any tips on fun things to do besides the main touristy things would be awesome! Thanks!
Hey Hey...so you have been to South Dakota...wow I'm impressed. Not many people have been to SD. In fact, most people dont even know where it is at!! Ohh Slovakia...what a surprise! It was one of those places I never thought I would visit! Everything was just so intriquing. I didnt know anything about the country before I went and the people were so eager to educate you about their country and culture. It was one of the rare places in Europe where I actually felt like a traveler! I mean its one of those untouched places, and wasnt crowded with tourists! Very refreshing! The only thing I would suggest is that, I went when in the fall and it was rather cold and cloudy. So maybe the spring or summer would be a better time. Granted the fall colors were pretty neat! What are you doing in NYC??? I hope you enjoy it...an amazing city!
on 8/22/07,
oliviaw says:
Hi Jen! Thanks! I actually took the pictures - at least the ones I'm not in. :) Hopefully I'll be able to go out of the country sometime to visit more places than just the USA ;)
Hi Jen - Not Costa Rica, no. Tallows Beach in Byron Bay, Australia. Hope all is well in NYC.
on 8/22/07,
wolfeka says:
Jen! How was your drive up? Are you still working for STA? I will let you know when we get our tickets- so you can help us with the rest!!! Good luck with school, and I will definitely be in touch! I might patch you through to my friend Drew who lives in Brooklyn too!
on 8/18/07,
rarudwall says:
Thanks so much for the message! I had an incredible journey (as I'm sure you can tell from my blogs and media stuff), and I can't believe it has already come to an end. I really appreciate you tuning in, and I wish you the best of luck on all future exploration :)
on 8/13/07,
heakins says:
There are 3 important tips in bargining in Egypt.
1. Dont ever just buy at the first shop you find something at. Take your time and walk around, get a feel for what people are quoting for prices, be willing to walk away and you will see how far down they come on the price.
2. Dont compair how low you get the price with how low other people get the price. Simply find the price that you are willing to pay. Many tourists get caught up in feeling that everyone is out to screw them over so they compair prices and feel upset that they paid more than someone else. But, there could be many reasons for the difference in price. But, you have to remember that this is their livelyhood and this puts food in the kitchen for their families. If you think that it is worth $10 for that gorgeous statue, then why fret over $2 that could buy the guy lunch for the next week.
3. Once you have an amount in mind that you are willing to pay for an item, secretly move exactly that amount of money into one pocket and the rest somewhere else. Then you can admire all you want and even stroke the guys ego by saying that you like it but you really only have X amount of Egyptian pounds left for this trip. One thing that Egyptian salesmen cant stand is a customer who obviously wants something but might walk out and not come back because it is too high of a price. And, over all, be prepared to take a little time with it. It is not usually something you will work out in 2 seconds. The larger the item, the more haggling you will need to do. So, if it is something larger and/or costs more, expect to sit and have a drink before you walk out with the item.
If you follow these tips, you will be suprised by what you can accomplish. It is not just about the price, but the entire experience. I actually have gone shopping so much that my Egyptian friends will take me with them because I get better prices, and many of the guys there even recognize me after being gone for a year or two.
One final note on shopping in the bazars of Egypt, the Khan el-Khalili is the largest and most popular of tourist bazars. It is a fantastic experience. Chances are you will find something there for less than at the pyramids or tombs. But, if you find yourself overwhelmed while in the Khan el-Khalili, dont hesitate to go in a shop and ask to sit down. The men who run the shops are part of a union of sorts. They are very hospitable and watch over things closely. Yes, they are out for a sale, but they also want it to be a pleasant expierience. I have known shop owners to track down people that have left a purse behind or call the police of some punk kids does something stupid. So, dont feel that they are just out to get your money. Most of all, just have fun!!!!!
I need some travel advise about China. I want to go somewhere besides Beijing, but am nervous. Where else is there to go that wouldn't be too much to handle for someone who has had one year of Chinese language studies and has never been there before? I have about 2 weeks to travel. I would apprecaite any advise you could give. Thanks!
Thank you so much for helping me plan our Tulum vacation!! We are really excited about it! Your pictures and experience have been really helpful!
