How one OAT traveler helped change her Trip Leader’s life for the better
By Marilyn Pula, 22-time traveler, Hingham, Massachusetts
I’ve always been a culturally curious person—which is why I began traveling in the first place. Although my husband Fred and I have been to many places around the world, one of the destinations that holds a special place in our hearts is Thailand. We’ve been to the country about four or five times with OAT (I’ve traveled there around ten times in total!), and no matter how many times we’ve been there before, we always find something new and exciting about this special place.
During one of our first trips to Thailand with OAT, we were blessed to have an exceptional Trip Leader, whom I called “Dawn,” because of her bright and shining disposition. Whenever we praise OAT, or its sister company, Grand Circle, to our families, friends, and neighbors, we always tell them how fantastic our Trip Leaders and Program Directors have been—something that definitely sets the company apart from other travel companies. Dawn was able to bring Thailand to life for us. We saw the gentleness and beauty of the Thai people through her eyes.
Thailand holds a special place in Marilyn and Fred’s hearts because of the “beauty and gentleness” of the Thai people.
She truly was an expert resident of her country. And one of the things I appreciated most about her was her organization. She was always on time with her 3-ring binder in hand, ready to start the activities of the day. She opened our eyes to new experiences with her special “hop off the bus moments”—whether it was planting rice in the patties, or attending a traditional high school athletic event at a local school. But what truly touched me was how she brought her culture to life for us. She had recently been married, and described the traditions of the Thai marriage ceremony. And during our Farewell Dinner on the last night of our trip, she arrived wearing her wedding gown. Needless to say, there was not a dry eye in the house.
Upon our return from this adventure, Fred and I were invited to attend a Leadership Summit at Alan and Harriet’s home in Kensington, New Hampshire. Alan encouraged the group of travelers to share stories about our trips with the company, so I raised my hand eagerly and told the group about my experiences with Dawn in Thailand. After I recounted my story, Alan turned to several members of his executive team and said, “Let’s reward Dawn for her exceptional skills and give her $1000.” I was so excited that I was in a position to recognize her with this wonderful gift, and although I wasn’t able to connect with Dawn, I knew that she would have appreciated this generous display of thanks from OAT and myself.
Marilyn and Fred’s adventure to Thailand in January marked their 22nd trip with OAT, and their sister company, Grand Circle.
During my most recent trip to Thailand this January, I asked our Trip Leader Lin if she knew Dawn. She smiled and said that she did, and informed me that Dawn now held a leadership position in Thailand’s regional office. During the last night of our trip, Lin called me over and said she had someone special on the phone: Dawn. Wow! After we greeted one another, Dawn said, “When I received the money because of what you shared with Alan and the OAT team, it brought attention to me. When a leadership position became available, I was invited to interview. Since then, I’ve had wonderful opportunities and experiences. And here I am today. You’ve changed my life.”
I cannot begin to describe the deeply moving feeling it gave me to hear the words “you’ve changed my life” being directed at me. With those four words, my own life changed as well.
Discover the welcoming and gentle people of Thailand on our Inside Thailand adventure.