Waiting for Saturday | WE #175 [EN]

Tourism, love and routine is what today's article is about. Hello community of Weekend Experiences. I hope you all had a great week and are looking forward to an even better weekend.

Let's go back to July when the summer holidays were starting. It's that time of the year when students like me enjoy the most, and I'm no exception. However, I had been working on a project that excited me a lot: my own travel agency.

I went from being a student enjoying my vacation time to becoming my own boss. During the week, we handle reservations, and come Saturday, we're off on our adventures. In fact, I'm writing this article on my way to Varadero, one of the most renowned beaches in my country. Saturdays have become my absolute favorite day of the week (I know, it sounds cliché, but let me explain you).

Since I was a kid, I've had this insatiable love for travel (who hasn't, right?). I can honestly say I was addicted to the thrill of exploring new places, taking in unfamiliar landscapes, letting myself be carried away by those sensations and new places was all I expected during the year. Those experiences shaped me into the person I am today and the person I aspire to be. And it was those cherished memories that inspired me to create my own travel project. I wanted my clients to feel that same sense of wonder, to fall in love with the beautiful sights I discovered as a child. Even if just for a few hours, I wanted them to forget their worries and be captivated by the breathtaking landscapes our country has to offer. I wanted them to leave one destination only to yearn for the next.

Suddenly, I found myself waiting for Saturday to come. The preparations for every trip would start a few days in advance. On the big day, I'd wake up around 3 AM, making sure to finalize all the last-minute details. By 5 AM, the pickup crew would arrive, ready to gather our clients. (Sometimes everything starts at midnight because the trip is long and we have to take advantage of the day)

I put the sign that identifies our project in front of the bus, I look for my seat and I start reviewing a little the route we have to make. I check that everything is fine and everything starts.

When we reach our first client's location, that's when a mix of joy and nerves fills me up. It's still early, with the sun yet to rise and the city still asleep. Tranquility reigns over the streets. Despite the tiredness that sometimes lingers, I greet the client with a warm "good morning" and a childlike smile. It's hard to tell who's more excited, them or me. I can see the nerves on some of their faces, and I imagine a thousand thoughts racing through their minds. Some have even confided in us, expressing their fear of not getting their money's worth or doubting their choice of us. But deep down, I know we'll quickly make those worries disappear. We go above and beyond to ensure they have a truly unforgettable day, and I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have an amazing team by my side.

These early hours of the day are just the beginning. Now, as daylight fills the sky, the excitement reaches its peak, and we have to put in our utmost effort. This period is crucial as it sets the tone for how our customers will feel throughout the day. It's a unique opportunity, and failure is not an option. Personally, I thrive on that pressure and adrenaline. It's addicting.

We start the trip; it's time to talk about the destination and surprise the customers a little (many think that because we are very young, it is unlikely that we will dominate the destinations so much) A little history, some curiosities and some raffles make the customer finally relax and feel confident that his decision was the right one. Seeing the joy on the face of each customer makes all the sacrifice worth it so far, but the day is just beginning, there is still a lot to do.

Upon arrival at the destination, we provide recommendations and advice on how to make the most of their day. In some places, we offer guided tours, while in others, the day is more flexible, allowing each person to choose how they want to enjoy it. Personally, I enjoy these latter destinations the most. It's when I have more time to explore, search for deals, take a few hours to relax, and experience the destination as a tourist rather than solely as a worker.

We've been on the road for over two months now, and I've come to realize that what I cherish most about these experiences is meeting new people, both our customers and the locals. Building new relationships and connections has allowed us to enhance the travel experience for our customers and even for ourselves. We've learned stories that aren't found in books and met people who possess knowledge beyond any publication. It's truly incredible. There are places where we've made friends who have become our travel family in a short period, and that is priceless.

If you've made it this far, you've probably concluded that I'm addicted to my work, and you're absolutely right. But can you blame me? It's impossible not to fall in love with the beauty that Cuba holds. It doesn't matter if we've visited a destination a hundred times; for me, the excitement remains the same as the first time. I continue to fall in love with the places, the landscapes, and the people.

To summarize and answer the question, being a guide in my own project is what brings me the most joy during my weekends. And when I can share this passion with my partner, my friends, and my team, there's nothing that compares.

I wish time could be frozen, but everything comes to an end. On our trip, we would have to return to the city, the day would be ending, just like this article. Now it's time to say goodbye to you and, as in our trips, I say I hope to "read" you soon.

If you want to comment on anything, I'm waiting for you in the comments, I always answer because it is a pleasure to know your opinion, what do you think of my weekend? Am I crazy? Anyway, thank you for reading me.