I have just finished one of the hardest tours I have ever done. I had a very nice 88 year old gentleman losing his mind while traveling on my coach. At times he thought he was in London, others he wondering where to get a meal when we all about to sit down together and eat. It was a struggle.
The fist indication of trouble was when he handed $110 US dollars thinking is was $2. I knew it was going to be a long week! I helped him to separate his money, broke up a few of his large bills and filled out the immigration card to enter the US from Canada. See the signs!
I had to help him into his hotel room as he couldn't find his room that night. The following morning he asked me to his room to help in look for things he had left behind - pants, shoes, jacket, passport..... This wouldn't be the only time during the week.
Of course as a Tour Manager/Leader my job is to look after the needs of the guests. Sometimes this means providing commentary, organizing a dinner reservation, taking their picture or even pointing them to the toilette. The problem with a person is a little out of their mind is they will get lost in the shuffle of a big group. Although tours stick together most of the time, they do have some time on their own particularly at major attractions, in the evenings and during lunch breaks. I have so many logistical things connected to running a tour, holding the hand of a guest is not possible. Even if it was, I deserve a break for lunch too!
Poor man was lost at the Rockefellar Center after I gave the group an hour to look around. He was on 49th and 6th as required but the NE corner rather than the NW corner. He could not see the bus waiting for him for over 30 minutes. Unfortunately I could not see him in the crowd even though I had half the coach, and all security in the local area looking for him! We did find him that day.
But eventually he really disappeared. Lost in Niagara Falls I had to leave him behind. Fifty people were flying out of Toronto and if our bus didn't leave we would not make the flight. After reporting him missing to every security guard, hotel, restaurant, and the police we departed. Ten minutes later he showed up and the hotel manager sent him in a cab to catch us. He was no longer the man the passengers were laughing about. Everyone was angry!
He made it home I hope, a little light in the pocket (I think he gave the NYC Tour Guide a $40 tip - gave me nothing!) I am sure his family was rightly concerned.
He was very close to being abandoned. Don't let your loved ones travel when you think they may be confused. If they are at all off in their home town, it will be a disaster overseas! This man almost didn't make it home.
Kirsten
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