...was a holiday rep*

Ever dreamed of being a holiday rep? Take Heed...

*Okay, okay, NOT really my friend as she is my elder sister, but you get the drift...*

So, ever dreamt of becoming a holiday rep? Living in exotic places, sunbathing, drinking and having fun every day on a holiday that never ends? Well, you definitely need to read on.

My sister, Sam wanted to become a holiday rep since she was seven and we met one during a vacation. She became hugely smitten on him and then, once back in miserable Manchester, smitten on the idea of  working in a sun bleached environment with a cocktail in one hand and a microphone in the other. And eleven years later, she flew out to the Island of Menorca just off the coast of Spain for her dreams to start...

And yes she loved most of it... though in training you aren't told about the day-long delays which requires you to stay at the airport, the emergency phone aka the tw*t phone which customers call through the night asking where to find kebabs, their friends and toilet paper...

This post is about one week taken from her diary. I would never suggest that this could happen to anyone else, a 1 in a 1,000 000 week...but the worst of the worst nonetheless...

WEEK OF HELL:

Friday: Home at one a.m. up at three to meet customers at hotel lobby by four. Left hotel and heading to airport when a small blue car raced by the coach, up the road and was lost behind a sharp corner. Driver definitely drunk, car all over the place. Coach followed the road and turned said corner to find the little blue car under another coach. Car mistaken for jet ski. Male occupant hanging out of what probably used to be a window. Could not react, had to keep passengers calm and asked them to draw curtains. 

Sunday: Still seeing dead body hanging out of windows, car smashed under bus every time eyes are closed. This morning was called to local hotel where a three year old child had let himself out of the apartment during the night to go "swimming". Was discovered at six am. by maintenance man. Already a bad week.

Tuesday: Blistering storms have prevented holiday goers to leave the hotels. Good thing? Well whilst playing games with the local entertainers, a thirteen year old girl tripped on slippery tiles and had marble table collapse on her hand. Fingers were amputated. 

Wednesday: Sixty year old man dies of heart attack in the reception of another popular hotel. Doctor was called but took hours to arrive, and as dead bodies cannot be moved, he had to be draped with sheets and hidden as best he could from view of others. 

Friday: Local scuba diving instructor killed as he taught a new leg of people the art. He went too close to the propeller and was killed somewhat instantly I guess. Body had to be brought back on boat with the class. 

Again please note: this very true week happened only once in the six years she was working as a holiday rep, and I don't think any other rep has ever had a week quite like it. I guess I'm writing this as the start the next few posts, mainly aimed at losing someone.

Anyone with questions about repping or whatever, feel free to ask. After all, nothing beats experience!

Nikki