Tour Guide Envy??
Please Note: This is totally out of character for me to write about another tour guide in this way. But, the back stabbing and slandering has got to stop. A grudge and bad feelings another tour guide has about me has gone far enough. I need to end her lies and allow others to know my side, and allow them to either ask more questions, or draw their own conclusions. This is my side of the story and it is all true, not a fabrication to gain your favor.
I have bit my tongue long enough, and this last email threat was the final straw. I can not keep silent any longer about the lies and slander that Las Vegas tour guide Andi Goldstein has been spreading about me and my conduct as a Professional Tour Director.
Most people will tell you I am an easy guide to get along with; I can roll with the punches and handle almost any situation that arises. My guests are happy, informed, and love my tours. Tour Bus Drivers respect me, ask for me on their tours, and value how I treat them with respect and for their knowledge of handling a tour bus.
Another guide/director occasionally may get a tour I feel I should have been hired for; and occasionally I will get a tour they feel they should have been hired for. Which is okay, we all have days like that. It works both ways and usually washes out in the end. We congratulate each other on the job, and move on as friends and business professionals. No hard feelings and we treat each other with the respect given to any other Professional in their field of expertise, mine is a Tour Director.
But, to start a slur campaign against me for it is going a little bit too far don’t you think??
This grudge started a few years ago when I was hired as a Professional Tour Director for a series of over the road tours. Andi felt she was more deserving of because of her “experience.” Andi has yet to get over it and move on to other opportunities in the world of tours and travel.
Meanwhile I have probably lost some business and a few friends over Andi’s continued campaign against me. I thought if I remained silent and cordial long enough, that in time this would be forgotten. That has not been the case, and Andi has increased her efforts to destroy my reputation as Professional Tour Director.
What was the final straw?? An email threat I received from Andi this morning.
When I have a normal retail day tour, I will split my tips 50 / 50 with the driver. I feel a Professional Tour Coach Driver, who can safely maneuver a tour bus into the canyons, and back into Las Vegas traffic, and get my guests back to their hotel safely, is just as important as the Professional Guide in ensuring the success of a tour. Therefore a 50/50 split divides the tips between me and my driver.
Andi and I work for many of the same Tour Operators here in Las Vegas. Andi wants me to tell the drivers that I work with, that she also splits the tips 50/50. If I do not do this Andi, will try to get me black listed with other Tour Operators in Las Vegas.
To a certain degree, Andi has that ability. Andi can be very convincing as a story teller and name dropper. There are Tour Operators in town that have believed her stories hook, line and sinker with little or no research. (The power of connections in Vegas works wonders… it is not what you know, but who you know.) This helps in building their confidence in believing her stories and opinions about other tour directors, bus drivers and tour companies.
Thankfully there are some Tour Operators that do the right thing; they hear Andi’s stories, connect the dots, and take her recommendations with a giant serving of salt. They also call to inquire about the stories they have been told. These Tour Operators have my undying loyalty and heart felt thanks.
You are probably asking how do I know what Andi does with her tips? It is a good question, and one I really can’t answer. I only get feedback from what the drivers and Andi’s past guests tell me about her tours. Maybe we are both being fed bad information.
As a Professional Tour Director I apologize for having to bring this nasty grudge to light. But, I also know many local Tour Operators read this, and believe that my good name and reputation as a Professional Tour Director and Guide should not be destroyed because of an old grudge.
Andi, has taunted me in private, and has abused her relationship with other Tour Operators for far too long at my expense. This needed to be written so others may see the other side of Andi’s stories, and to form their own thoughts and opinions of Andi Goldstein and Mark Anthony a Professional Tour Director and Guide.
One last question… what would you do if you were me?
Thank You,
Mark Anthony
Professional Tour Director
Las Vegas, NV
The Angel of Route 66
Yes, I know I wrote of Seligman and Angel before, but from what my guests tell me, you just can’t get enough of Angel Delgadillos! Meet him and you will understand.
On your way up to or back from the Grand Canyon, make a point to pull off the Interstate and take a step back into time in Siligman, Arizona.
Of course your first stop has got to be the Route 66 Gift Shop and get a friendly hello from Angel. He’s usually there greeting all the tourists who stop by and marvel at his store as much as they marvel at him.
If he’s not there, his daughter Mirna or his wife Vilma are usually there and they can tell you where to find the man who helped save this forgotten stretch of highway and a piece of the American fabric.
But don’t expect too much bragging from Angel. That’s just not his way. Instead, he will tell you about all the wonderful people that have passed by his store and the lives that were changed because of that simple piece of blacktop.
Yes, Angel is the historian of Route 66. Just look in his store that doubles as a museum. The artifacts and the photo albums of people from all over the world that have come by to say hello and walk on the most famous roadway in America. The photos and stuff are all right there on the pool table. Trust me, there is pool table under that mountain of memorabilia.
If you catch him in the right time, you could ask for a shave. That’s what Angel did back in the day. Right there in the corner room is the barbers chair he got from his father. The same chair that shows up in all the shows and pictures. Don’t forget to add your business card to the wall. If you can find a space for it. If not, just admire all the other cards from all over the globe.
Not only is this a walk down memory lane, a trip through modern American history; Its a step back in time when people were proud of where they came from and are happy to make new friends. Even if its just for a few minutes. The Delgadillos’ smile a warm smile and welcome you into their world as if you were a long lost member of the family.
Here is a link to more Seligman information
FYI: As a tour group, don’t ask Angle to get on the bus and say hello… You will never get him off the microphone!! He really loves to talk about Seligman and Route 66