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Vent away cfred, that was a rotten thing for the woman to do. I learned a lot of lessons the hard way in this business and holding spaces is something I will never do again. Why punish yourself without income? I'm so sorry this all happened to you.
Oooooh Puerto Rico, enjoy! Sounds like this must be a girl's trip not a family trip though after I just read your last sentence, GO FOR IT, HAHAHA!!!
I typically will hold a spot for 3 months with a deposit, but went a little longer for her due to the friendship. She'd have kept me on if I'd just conceded to letting her wait another 3 months free of charge, not that she ever asked me for that. I just couldn't believe anyone would be so irresponsible to leave talking to their employer until 3 days before going back. So bizarre!
I'm actually doing this camping trip on my own this year. Looking forward to catching up with a few of the regular backpackers I know down there, maybe charter a day sail, but mostly just laying about reading.....I never date on holiday....was just kidding! Never mess with the locals :ohmy:
Camping in Peurto Rico? You are amazing! You do know they have huge spiders and snakes, right? I went on a trip to Ireland by myself last year but I was on a bus tour with high class hotels!
I wouldn't hold a space for 3 months, no way! You are being too kind and nice and only hurting yourself when you do that.
Ireland sounds amazing and I've always wanted to go! I'll bet you found traveling alone that you met way more people that way? Is it beautiful there? My guess is YUP! What areas did you visit?
I go to Isla Culebra, which actually translates to 'Island of Snakes', but have only seen a few little ones so far....more chickens and lizards than anything, lol. No tarantulas as yet, but had a scorpion on my picnic table last year - scared the crap out of me! Fire ants are more of an issue for me and we have a run in every year. I was more afraid of crime, but interestingly, there's almost none and all the backpackers kinda watch out for each other. And I have to say, opening your tent flaps to see the Caribbean Sea in the morning is quite lovely :)
I thought a 3 month hold was standard with a deposit. No? Everyone I get in here is looking for down the road, so not sure how to handle that. Plus, I'm still building my rep in this new neighbourhood. Sometimes, as much as I love working with kids, I get very tired of doing this job...rather, maintaining this means of employment, if that makes sense.
Cfred, I charge the deposit and a holding fee of $200 every month to hold a space, but only for a month or two. I write Non Refundable on the receipt for all of this money so the deposit is not applied to the last weeks of care. That is my idea of a penalty for having to go without full income when I hold a space. I've only done it a couple of times and I hate it! I know some people charge full fees to hold a space.
You are tougher than me to go backpacking in a place with bugs and snakes! I stick to European vacations and my idea of roughing it is to stay in high class hotels instead of my own bed. :D