Читать книгу Confessions of a Holiday Rep - My Hideous and Hilarious Stories of Sun, Sea, Sand and Sex - Cy Flood - Страница 6

THE LIFE OF A REP is a privileged existence. If you ever get the chance to live overseas, and get paid for it, grab it with both hands because it’s a wonderful experience. To be a rep working for thousands of British holidaymakers is amazing, and anyone lucky enough to experience it will get a lifetime’s worth of wonderful memories. I’ve been very lucky in my life, and I am truly grateful for having the opportunity to be a rep.

I have moved on nowadays but I cherish the memories of working in the holiday industry. I miss the people I worked with; they were all brilliant and very different. Many of them, in their own individual way, gave me the inspiration to write this memoir, so I wish to thank the teams from Ibiza, Lanzarote, Tenerife, Kos and, of course, the Austrian Alps – you really were the best. I’d love to get you all back together again but over the years I’ve learnt the past is best left in the past, where it belongs. Thanks to you all.

I started this diary before I had even left the UK; I somehow knew that one day it would end up in print. The life of a rep is just too good not to be recorded. I have done the best I can to put my memories down on paper, and I apologise if I have offended anyone at all – it was never intended. The views I express are mine and mine alone. I’ve tried to be as accurate as possible, but at times my memory may have altered the story.

I have tried to include all of the places I’ve had the privilege of working in, even the winter destinations, but I am sure I may have sometimes mixed up personalities and destinations; however, the main points are all there. Should you by any slim chance think you recognise yourself, it’s probably not you. I have tried to be discreet where possible and never set out to offend anyone, so please forgive me if I have strayed over the line. And, whilst I mostly remember and indeed only write about the guests that caused me problems – or the dickheads and numpties – I have to stress that the majority of people I came across were fantastic, happy people, but they are the ones I have forgotten.

My final thanks must go to you, the reader – thank you. Before you continue to read my story, try to put aside your preconceptions because my story will probably turn out to be very different from what you are imagining. I hope you enjoy the read.

Lastly, and one final thought, I think the role of the rep has changed over the years – with the advent of cheap flights and the adventurous spirit of the British holidaymaker, people have been led away from traditional package tours – but the golden days of repping may well come back again. I certainly hope they return, because even though the reps had great fun, I think most of the people we worked with had a fantastic time, too.

Cy Flood, 2012