At a company that’s devoted to changing lives through travel, there is no better way to reward high performing associates than to bring them out into the world. Throughout the year, we recognize associates in Boston and around the world with awards for outstanding service and teamwork—and the greatest reward for the winners is what we call a “Recognition Journey.” OAT has led two such journeys in China: One in 1996, which I was honored to be a part of; and another in 2008. I asked associates from both groups to share their impressions—and they happily obliged.
— Harriet
Memories of China: 1996
“I like to fish, so while our ship was docked I saw some men fishing along the shore with these weird and wild nets. They let Harriet and me have a try and we flung the things into the river—and, needless to say, did not catch a thing.
I also remember going to a really local restaurant on our first morning in Beijing. Harriet and I saw this tiny little stand—it was no more than a tarp, hung over some poles with makeshift tables and chairs. We decided to give it a try, and they were amazed we were willing to come in and try something when we had no idea what it was. I think they respected our openness to experience something that was new to us and daily for them.
Also, Harriet nearly caused an international incident in Tiananmen Square. It was heavily guarded (remember, this was not long after the uprising) and she wasn’t quite done bargaining for some kites. She was quite indignant that the armed guards were ushering everyone out!”
— Martha Prybylo, Executive Vice President: People & Culture and Corporate Philanthropy, with OAT since 1994
“I had always wanted to see the Yangtze before it was underwater. My family has handed down farmland for generations, just like the Chinese people do. We first went through the Yangtze gorges and took a spectacular boat ride down the Daning River. It was both amazing and sad: We could see the white line painted on the rocks where the rising water would reach. The elderly would be displaced— villages wiped out, burial grounds gone forever—but they were hopeful for the younger generations. I often think back on the farmers working their fields with their oxen, and now those fields don’t exist anymore.
At the Forbidden City, another group member and I needed postcards, so we hastily bought some—sight unseen—from a street vendor. When we had a chance to view them, we just roared with laughter: Mine were of Florida, and his were of Missouri!”
— Laverne Schaff, Reception Manager, with OAT since 1995
“We woke up early one morning and took a walk to the park. It was very early, but I remember seeing pockets of people practicing tai chi, yoga, and meditation. They all practiced in silence, and moved with such grace. The background noise of the city waking up didn’t affect them at all. It still stays in my mind, the discipline and beauty of taking time for stillness and finding your place in a universe that keeps moving.
The first and last time I ever did karaoke was on our boat cruise on the Yangtze. I felt pretty confident since my audience was our group and Chinese businessmen who (I hoped) couldn’t understand us—and based on their singing, couldn’t critique us either!”
— Diane Rooney, Vice President: Creative & Production Services, with OAT since 1994
“I’ll never forget Harriet coming out of her cabin wearing khakis, a tee-shirt, sneakers, and pearls. When I asked her, ‘Why pearls,’ she replied, ‘I am going to visit the Great Wall—it’s a special day.’ I still think of her in her pearls whenever I visit such an amazing place. We were shown the traditional practice of cupping therapy, and I was used as an example because I had back pain from the flight. It worked!”
— Denise Sablone, Executive Vice President: Worldwide Business Operations, with OAT since 1994
“As I remember it, we were at a dinner with the owner of our cruise line company in Wuhan. The restaurant was large, and we had a private dining room. The dishes are served on a Lazy Susan and shared, family-style. The group generally was not adventurous in their culinary experience, so I became the taste tester. Chicken feet are not my favorite, as most of what you’re eating is cartilage and skin. Jellyfish was chewy, similar to overcooked calamari.
I grew to appreciate the simple things in life that the Chinese, at that time, didn’t have: cell phones, Blackberry, DVDs. Of course they now have all that and more.”
— Elliott Spigarolo, Vice President: Worldwide Contracting, with OAT since 1996
Memories of China: 2008
“Getting to know my fellow OAT associates better was a real highlight for me. I also really loved the fact that we were able to participate in several community service projects during the trip: Planting trees at the base of the Great Wall; placing concrete blocks to rebuild sections of the Wall that were crumbling; and joining local villagers to paint one of their homes. I also loved seeing Shanghai at night. The city was so beautiful with all of the buildings lit up along the Bund.”
— Dee Kronenberg, Product Systems Analyst, with OAT since 1998
“Being in China during the Great Sichuan Earthquake is something I don’t think any of us will ever forget. Our group was climbing the Great Wall when it happened, so we didn’t even know about it until we returned to Beijing—and even then, it was a little while before any of us realized just how catastrophic it was.
One week later, China organized a country-wide moment of silence to honor the victims. We were visiting the Shanghai Museum at the time, and I remember meeting up with Molly [Long] on the courtyard outside. For three full minutes, no one moved or said a word; the continuous wail of police sirens and car horns was the only thing we heard. The fact that an entire nation was literally frozen in time was mind-blowing for me; I don’t think our society has the capability to act in such a unified way.”
— Matt Correia, Database Analyst, with OAT since 2003
“For me, it was truly amazing to be a part of the moment of silence for the Great Sichuan Earthquake. I got goose bumps then, and I still do now, whenever I think about it. I will never forget how a nation of more than a billion people literally stopped in their tracks to honor those who lost their lives in this horrific and tragic incident. I remember being overcome with emotion, my eyes filling with tears as I looked around me in amazement, thinking, ‘What a united country.’”
— Effie Duplessis, Director: OAT Small Ships Brand, with OAT since 2000
“I was born in Yugoslavia, so it was interesting for me to see what life is like in China. After all, twenty years ago, both countries were committed to communism. But it’s clear that they developed very differently; in fact, it initially seemed to me that China today is where Yugoslavia would be if democracy had not arrived. But while democracy has certainly improved life for people like me who live in the countries that came out of the former Yugoslavia, nowadays people seem to have no time for each other. In China, however, there’s a real commitment to family life.
And speaking of families, I was amazed to learn more about the One Child Policy and how important it was that Chinese families had boys. It was shocking to learn the lengths that families would go to—abortions, abandonment, infanticide—if they found out they were having girls.”
— Gordan Delic, Corporate Purchasing Manager Worldwide Fleet Operations, with OAT since 2005
“One of my favorite moments was spending time with the students at a primary school in Shanghai. It was so heartwarming: The children met us at our bus and took us by the hand to lead us to their classroom. They also performed a traditional song and dance—and their eyes shone with happiness and pride when we applauded their performance.
Another highlight was the group foot massage we got in Shanghai—our last activity as a group before we all returned home. I can still see Gordan [Delic] with his legs in a wooden barrel full of scalding hot water, screaming and laughing in pain—and Tom [Horgan] praying fervently to the Holy Mother. I know it doesn’t sound like it, but it really was a nice treat for all of us!”
— Maureen Pudlo, Vice President: Air Operations & Bangkok Support, with OAT since 2000
“China will always have a special place in my heart: On my first trip to the country, my now-husband proposed to me on the Great Wall. So it was wonderful to be given the opportunity to return to China and explore the nation anew with such an amazing group of people.
High points for me included our visit to the Shanghai school (the children were so excited to welcome us and practice their English), the 3-night cruise along the Yangtze River (absolutely stunning scenery), and meeting a woman in Chengdu whose family was forced to relocate because of the Three Gorges Dam project (they’d been farmers before they moved, and they still kept pigs in the basement of their high-rise apartment).
Another moment I’ll never forget was trying Mongolian Hot Pot for the first time. I love spicy food, but the heat from the Chinese chiles was almost unbearable: I was literally drenched in sweat after the first few bites, and I had to keep asking the waiter to bring more napkins!”
— Molly Long, Senior Copywriter, with OAT since 2004