Tour Guide Boot Camp

As some of you know, I minored in French at A&M. I've studied French for 9 years. I've read over 9 books about French history and culture. I've studied all the information in the packet we were given.

I also have never worked harder in my life these past 3 days. I eat, sleep and breathe French history. I recite facts to myself in the shower and when I'm putting on my make-up. I go to sleep and dream about Napoleon riding up on his little horse and scratching his hemorrhoids.

And I'm loving every minute of it.

I feel like this can't possible be something that I'm getting paid for. This is everything I love to do all rolled up into one - I get to have 25 people pay to listen to me talk for 4 hours about French history in Paris! That's travel, history, and me being the center of attention all rolled into one! It really doesn't get any better than that.

This morning, 6 of the other guides and myself were sitting at Starbucks discussing the fact that Robespierre was a really bad guy, and how Louis XIV maybe liked himself a little too much. What would have happened if Hitler had been killed in the Dome Church in 1940? And what is your personal opinion of the Carrousel du Louvre?

When else would I be able to have a conversation like that? And who would listen to me? Every night, I go home and read about the Eiffel Tower and the Impressionists... could this really be a job?

Now on the down side... lets discuss the hotel that we are now staying at in Austin. I don't think Mike (our boss) could have picked a shadier place. This is the place where you live if you don't want an address or a paper trail. The illegals and the crack dealers live next door and can frequently be seen out in the parking lot or at the local Hooters.

But there are so many positives... and not just the awesomeness of this job. I can't tell you how much I love the other guides. I have already learned so much from them. They drink 5 cups of coffee between the hours of 9am and 6pm. That in itself is a huge accomplishment in my eyes. I really just can't wait till tomorrow to see what will happen next... FTBT-TC208 for life :-P