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It was kind of a humdrum kind of day. It was so humdrum that I had to use an antiquated word like that to describe the day. I almost had to break out the “ennui”–but I couldn’t go that far.
It wasn’t a bad day. My bus ride was pleasantly uneventful, and work went pretty smoothly for a Monday that is based on woefully inadequate teaching material. My lunch tasted good and the company was superb. It all just seemed so humdrum.
Going deep on introspection, I would have to say that Today’s Perfect Moment was receiving a reply to a message I had sent. As I type this, I realize how incredibly vague that sounds. I had better back up.
I have taken three vacations in the past two years. Two of them have been cycling vacations with Exodus Travels. The other was an adventure tour with G Adventures. I enjoyed all of them. Before the year is out, I want to be off to another trip, and since my cycling is progressing, I am quite sure it is going to be another Exodus Cycling trip.
When I came back from the first trip (Vietnam) I wrote to the company hoping that my blogging might earn me some perks. I wasn’t expecting a free trip (though I wouldn’t say no to one), but I was trying to be one of those “go getters”. Besides, if there is one thing I have learned, it never hurts to ask. My writing got me a cookbook and a better discount than people with only one trip under their belts got.
So, now, as I am trying to decide between a trip to Chile and Argentina just before Christmas or a shorter trip cycling from Prague to Budapest (four countries and three currencies) in August. I noticed that the trip through Europe was on sale. This sounded great, but I was worried that my discount wouldn’t apply to something that was already on sale.
I wrote to the person in charge of marketing here in Canada asking about that–because, again, if you don’t ask you won’t get. If you ask, you might get. I also plugged my blog and its ever growing reach and interaction levels. Again, I wasn’t thinking free trips, but marketing yourself is all about talking about you and what you’ve built.
I received an email around noon confirming the discount I had been seeking, but more importantly, I received a wonderful compliment on the blog. I call that, Today’s Perfect Moment.
Incidentally, I would love to hear from anyone who has taken either or both Exodus trips. Please spread the word to people you know as I am on a bit of a time crunch on this one. I am going to eventually go on both trips, but I don’t know which one to take first.
Also, any experience in those countries would be wonderful to hear or read about, so send me your comments or links to what you have written.
How exciting! A cycling trip sounds so much fun. I have no experience with these trips, however I can say that I have been to Prague and I absolutely loved it! It was such a wonderful trip and a very beautiful, majestic city with stunning architecture! Maybe that helps in some way hehe! Happy cycling!
Thank you for your comment. I really am stuck between two choices.
Budapest is a great city, we visited last year and really enjoyed it. Plus, as it’s not in the euro, it’s still cheap!!! We’re going to visit Prague in September. Just remember; ‘if you don’t ask, you don’t get?!!!’ Something I’m learning with this blog stuff too!!!
At first, I never liked even hinting at people to read my stuff, but it’s so true that if you don’t promote yourself, you will get nowhere. There are just too many people blogging. So I had to learn that in reality plugging is not shameful, it is necessary! I still feel weird about telling anyone that I have a blog. But I’m getting a little more used to it. 😀 Great post as always, Anthony!
You definitely have to promote yourself. In your case, you should realize that you are educating and entertaining people. You are doing a service, so why not promote it.