My Last Post...

This weblog was intended to chronicle my time in the United Kingdom. As my time in United Kingdom has come to a close, so to must this site...

As is the nature of blogs, the most recent posts are the first one's listed. I will not be writing any more posts, so even as lack-luster as it is, this post will forever have the privilege of owning top-spot!

That said, whether this is your first visit, or a return trip I urge you to take a look around--check out some of the older posts, and enjoy them for what they are--not an up date on where I am, but rather a glimpse into my time in the United Kingdom, 'spreading the good word of Planeterra'.

I sincerely hope that you enjoy the stories, pictures, and videos and I hope that you also understand a little better what STA Travel is doing to promote responsible tourism internally and externally. 

Finally, I would like to leave you with one final video; a short, simple thank you and good-bye to the wonderful crew that I worked with day in and day out in London. I had a wonderful month, and sincerely hope to see you all again very soon.  

For more information about Responsible Tourism, and Volunteer-vacations contact your local STA Travel agent or if you are an STA Travel agent, get in touch with your CSR Champion. As always, feel free to email me directly with any questions, concerns, or ideas! 

-Dan

My final act...

I was a busy boy on my last day as the Interim Responsible Tourism Manager--a meeting with Peter in the morning, then catching Hien up to speed, and then a full afternoon of Webinars!

My final act, before passing on the torch, was to award a FREE Planeterra trip to one of the participants of the Wright's Lane trainings. I made a video to share it with everyone, I hope you enjoy...



-Cheers,
Dan

Lets see if your contact centre is as cool as ours...

With my days in the United Kingdom dwindling I found myself moving faster than I had all month trying to fit everything in. Before I popped off to the US I had one final training trip and it would be my most ambitious yet! Sunday through Thursday of my final week I would be heading north to Manchester, home of the UK Contact Centre!

I had two long days of back-to-back small-group sessions at the Contact Centre, and one very large night session on Monday with loads of agents from the branches. The night session was particularly fun because it was followed by more than a few pints out on the town (hey, they were going out anyway, and I figured I should be there, you know, in case they had any lingering questions :] )

I had an wonderful time in Manchester and although this short video doesn't suggest so, I promise you, my visit was more work than play!!



Thanks for the great laughs Manchester!

Cheers,
-Dan

This is how I roll...

As my high-speed train zips swiftly through the provential English countryside en route from Manchester to London I think about all of the trips I've taken across the United Kingdom over the past four weeks and regret that this is the last time I'll be on a train for quite some time. It's really quite a nice way to travel...

Admittedly, my impression of train travel has be very positively influenced by the fact that I had the luxury of enjoying 1st class seating throughout my voyages.

Looking back at all my voyages I wonder to myself , what is my favorite part of riding 1st class? Is it the relaxed, quiet environment? the extra leg room? or the mature, intellectual company? Those are all nice, no doubt, but they're not my favorite parts... No, my favorite part of traveling first class, is the complementary wine and cheese!

What can I say, that's how I roll...

Cheers,
Dan

PS Thanks for the 1st class hook-up Ian!

~He shoots with his left!! He shoots with his right!!!~

Attended my first Premier League match this weekend--excellent good fun!!



Cheers,
-Dan

Last weekend!!

Seriously!?! My LAST weekend--are you kidding me! I JUST got here!!!

Alas, with a third and final check to my calendar any lingering hopes that I had made a mistake die, and I  accept the inevitable fact that all good things must come to and end, and the time for my flight back to the States is rapidly approaching...

All that said, I still have a few days left and I have every intention of making the most of each and everyone of them!!

Friday night, October 1st, the whole office was set to head to The Britannia after work to send off Dan H, Sarah, and Lou who were also saying goodbye to Wright's Lane and heading off in different directions. I considered it an informal goodbye for me as well, because although I had only been there a few weeks, I had definitely made some good friends with whom I would would shortly be saying goodbye! 

Dan H's send off well-wishes!

Thanks to the 2nd floor, he's now ready for ANY type of dinner party :)

After the 'gifts ceremony' it was off to the Pub! For any of the USA readers who are wondering how happy hour at Wright's lane compares to happy hour in Tempe, I'm happy to report that it's every bit as fun! I'm not much of a math guy, but last night reminded me of one of my favorite equations:

Lots-o-pints + wonderful people = good conversation + uproarious laughter + funny pictures

Here are a few of my favorite pictures, I hope you enjoy!!

Bottoms up!

Shit got serious for a second there!

DAN X 2!! On a side not, "I drank Kronenburg last night?!"

Ahhh, good times!!

Admittedly this morning I'm a touch of a headache (and am missing yet another cell phone), but last night was so much fun it was well worth the hangover!

Cheers,

Dan