Sorry it took so long to get back. Had some business to take care of.
Blues Bars in New Orleans are outstanding! All you have to do is walk around Bourbon Street and stand outside. Of course there are the Hawkers trying to get you to come inside(drinks are expensive)and see the show. Well worth the price of a couple of drinks! These guys are the best. Musicans that have been at it for years and give a great show. They make it seem effortless, with their talent.
You can see the locals or the professionals. When we were there Johnny Lang was playing at one of the clubs. We are not fans of his, I think that you have to have some time under your belt to sing the blues not some youngster who got the breaks and copies someone else. Your comments are welcomed. Anyway, there are some great musicians that have paid their dues and will entertain you as long as you want to hang out. The music is intoxicating along with the drinks and there are always people dancing or just hanging out and enjoying the best that Bourbon St. has to offer.
It's easy to get there. A flight from Tampa is about $300 round trip and if you stay outside the French Quarter hotels cost around $50 and up per night, there are alot of areas just outside the French Quarter to stay, Kenner, Metiarie and others. Takes about 20 minutes to get downtown. If you want to stay in the heart of it the cost goes up big time. But could be worth the experience. There are alot of direct flights from all over the country, which tells you what a great place this is for a visit.
All the information you need can be found at http://www.mytravelagentstore.com/ Air, hotels, tours, food and more. If there are any questions email me john@mytravelagentstore.com and hopefully we can meet and share a drink at one of the bars there. We are going back as soon as possible! Thanks John
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Visit New Orleans
We just got back from New Orleans. Went for business and took my wife with me hoping to get some free time to see the sights. Well the business was short and sweet and we had the extra time to play.
We started out going to Bourbon St. on a Saturday night, not too crowded but plenty to see and do. Just walking up and down the street was fun. We saw all different kinds of people and heard great music. You can stand at the front door or a side window and enjoy the band for free. If you go inside you are expected to buy a drink which are not cheap but to be close to the band and listen to quality music is well worth it.
We stayed at a blues bar for awhile and were blown away at the musicians expertise. It was hard to leave but hunger was setting in. Now my wife had oysters only once before and they were raw and she did not enjoy them. When I saw Acme’s Oyster House I had to coax her to go in. The charbroiled oysters were so good she had to have them every night we were there. Believe me, I did not complain. The oysters are shucked in front of you and then taken to the grill and cooked for about 4 minutes. First in their own juices and then drenched in garlic butter and covered with Romano cheese and left to melt. Great stuff.
The next day we went back to visit some stores and take a cemetery tour. In the daylight the French Quarter is pretty dirty. They have small trucks set up for pressure washing and start at the front door if not inside and wash everything to the gutter. Guess it has to be done with all the people and everything that goes on there at night.
The cemetery tour was very educational and we got to see the Voodoo Queens vault and hear the history of this city. So much to learn, probably learned some of this in school but who was listening. The vaults are used to bury all of the family members. Sounds strange but after you think about it, it makes sense.
The river walk is along the Mississippi which of course is muddy. There are lots of ships traveling up and down the river as it still is a sea port. There are no mansions along the river which makes sense because of all the business going on. Still it is something you must do to be approached by some locals playing the saxophone and singing and trying to make a living. So throw them a buck or two to help them out, they work hard.
All in all it was a great time and we will go back again. I will break down the different things we did and give you a more detailed description in future blogs. If you need info on flights, hotels and more, please go to www.mytravelagentstore.com for your travel needs and drop us a email with your questions.
We started out going to Bourbon St. on a Saturday night, not too crowded but plenty to see and do. Just walking up and down the street was fun. We saw all different kinds of people and heard great music. You can stand at the front door or a side window and enjoy the band for free. If you go inside you are expected to buy a drink which are not cheap but to be close to the band and listen to quality music is well worth it.
We stayed at a blues bar for awhile and were blown away at the musicians expertise. It was hard to leave but hunger was setting in. Now my wife had oysters only once before and they were raw and she did not enjoy them. When I saw Acme’s Oyster House I had to coax her to go in. The charbroiled oysters were so good she had to have them every night we were there. Believe me, I did not complain. The oysters are shucked in front of you and then taken to the grill and cooked for about 4 minutes. First in their own juices and then drenched in garlic butter and covered with Romano cheese and left to melt. Great stuff.
The next day we went back to visit some stores and take a cemetery tour. In the daylight the French Quarter is pretty dirty. They have small trucks set up for pressure washing and start at the front door if not inside and wash everything to the gutter. Guess it has to be done with all the people and everything that goes on there at night.
The cemetery tour was very educational and we got to see the Voodoo Queens vault and hear the history of this city. So much to learn, probably learned some of this in school but who was listening. The vaults are used to bury all of the family members. Sounds strange but after you think about it, it makes sense.
The river walk is along the Mississippi which of course is muddy. There are lots of ships traveling up and down the river as it still is a sea port. There are no mansions along the river which makes sense because of all the business going on. Still it is something you must do to be approached by some locals playing the saxophone and singing and trying to make a living. So throw them a buck or two to help them out, they work hard.
All in all it was a great time and we will go back again. I will break down the different things we did and give you a more detailed description in future blogs. If you need info on flights, hotels and more, please go to www.mytravelagentstore.com for your travel needs and drop us a email with your questions.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Home Based Travel Business II
AWESOME ARTICLE by JULIET ST. JOHN
Now let's talk about California & some of the Attacks being made on YTB : Have you ever heard of a company, that has never had a bad word spoken about them? Let me use an example of one company that you all know about and have heard about.Before I tell you the name of this company let me ask you a questions. . . Would you invest or buy stock in a company that has. . . Been sued so many times, can't be countedThousand if not millions of unhappy customers around the world.If you were to ask 8 out of 10 people about this company they will tell you that theyhave had a numerous bad experience with their product at least on a daily basis.More bad press then any company has ever had in history.In trouble with the department of Justice and local state agency for anti-trust in the past years.If you search Google and search for their name + lawsuit your will find 26,900 websites about this company.In trouble with the FTC numerous times.Paid millions of dollars in fines of the years.Numerous class-action lawsuit currently in supreme courts.History of releasing bad products, before they have been tested properly. Oh, by the way I should also tell you that this company has over 80% of the market share in their category.Their stock price has been up and down over the years.Have also lost millions of customers over the years.I know what most of you are thinking, I would not only never use their product or service, but also would never buy their stock.Right?And, if you said NO, NO, NO. Then you would have missed out on one of the best producing companies in history. And most of you should just stop using your computer because the company I have been talking about is: Microsoft.My point is:That if you are looking for bad news about any company you will find it. If people are not talking about a company, the company is most likely not growing or doing anything.People love bad news, bad news sells.It took Microsoft over 15 years to hit1 Billion in sales annually.YTB is about to do it in 8.Only 90 BBB filings against YTB? In comparison to other similar online agencies listed in Travel Weekly's top 35, that's a great track record!Other BBB top complaint companies:Expedia.com - The BBB processed a total of 1024 complaints about this company in the last 36 months.Orbitz - The BBB processed a total of 1729 complaints about this company in the last 36 monthsTravelocity - Number of complaints processed by the BBB in the last 36 months: 1528. And in the last 12 months: 533.Not to mention...American Express (Travel Related Services Co.) - The BBB processed a total of 606 complaints about this company in the last 12 MONTHS. Some of you know and some of you don't know that California filed a lawsuit against YTB for deceptive sales practices and operating a pyramid scheme. We don't have any secrets here at YTB and we don't keep any secrets.YTB has been in meetings with California for months over a new proposed law in that state concerning the travel industry and it's potential impact on our business. The discussions reached a stalemate and California filed suit.Folks, this is not the first time YTB has been challenged.When any company is revolutionizing an industry, and growing faster than any other company in the industry, the industry doesn't like it. In our case, that is the travel industry. It is not a coincidence that last year YTB showed up as #35 on the Power List, and within 3 months we were challenged by IATA, Royal Caribbean, and Rhode Island.Why do you think that happened?The industry doesn't like us. Now we are #26 on the Power List. This lawsuit is a result of the INDUSTRY putting pressure on the lawmakers, not an issue of whether YTB is in compliance with California law.We will be challenged.We will be shot at.It has happened to EVERY company that changed an industry.It happend to Microsoft, Walmart, IBM, McDonalds, Amway, Mary Kay, Excel, A.L. Williams, and every other company that revolutionized their industry.Why do you think we would be different --- especially when we are taking over the largest indutry in the world?This is EXPECTED. Coach, Scott, and Kim are not rookies to this business.They have fought these battles before and won.The blessing WE have is that we have them running the show, and they have "been there, done that" before and been victorious.During this time we will lose some weak reps. We know that.There will be competitors out there trying to steal our people. We know that.There will be some fear and indecision out there. We know that too.But there will also be LEADERS that step up.There will be CHAMPIONS born.There will be people that just decide that WE ARE READY for a fight.That's US.WE are READY FOR THE FIGHT.We are READY to go kick some butt.We are READY to STAND UP AND LEAD OUR TEAM THROUGH THIS CHALLENGE.DON'T YOU EVER DOUBT your company's commitment to YOU.DON'T YOU EVER DOUBT that we will win this thing.DON'T YOU EVER DOUBT that YTB will be the #1 Travel Company in the World --- No Matter What We Have To Go Through.REST ASSURED --- YTB is all over this issue. Our attorneys are already in California working on this.This WILL BE RESOLVED, and when it is, YTB will be even stronger because of it.Have faith in Coach, Scott, Kim, and your company to handle this matter. They will handle it. It is just a bump in the road.There are 4 things that WE can do to help.1) Sell more travel.Tell EVERYONE you know that you own a travel business and ask them to book their travel with someone they know vs someone they don't know. The more travel we sell, the more power we have.2) Sell more Travel Stores.Go find every friend you have that wants to get paid to travel, get tax deductions when they travel, and travel for less, and sell them a travel store. The more travel stores we have, the more travel we sell.3) Do not talk to the media.If someone tries to talk to you that has a notebook, a microphone or a camera, just tell them to send their questions to media@ytb.com, and refuse to talk with them. We have to let Coach, Scott and Kim fight this battle. We need to stay out of it.4) Step Up and LEAD YOUR TEAM.
Nobody wants to follow a weak, disillusioned, crybaby, pansy.At times like this, they look for STRONG, COMMITTED, POWERFUL Leadership.You need to STEP UP and be that LEADER for your team.Talk to them. Keep them informed. Let them know where you stand.Tell them --- You can quit if you want to, but I'M STAYING RIGHT HERE FOR THE FIGHT. It's gonna be WORTH it to me and my family for generations to come.That's what Leaders do.Team, Coach, Scott, Kim, and all of the Directors that were in that meeting last night are a FAMILY. We are here for the long haul. There is NO FEAR in any of our eyes.None of us came here to get this far and fail.WE WILL WIN THIS THING.WE WILL BE THE #1 Travel Company in the world.WE ARE READY FOR THE FIGHT.We never said it would be EASY. We said it would be WORTH IT.You just BE TOUGH, and communicate to your teams that they just have to BE TOUGH, and we will ALL WIN. Let's go BUILD A COMPANY TOGETHER.
Your Partner in Success through Travel,Juliet St John
Now let's talk about California & some of the Attacks being made on YTB : Have you ever heard of a company, that has never had a bad word spoken about them? Let me use an example of one company that you all know about and have heard about.Before I tell you the name of this company let me ask you a questions. . . Would you invest or buy stock in a company that has. . . Been sued so many times, can't be countedThousand if not millions of unhappy customers around the world.If you were to ask 8 out of 10 people about this company they will tell you that theyhave had a numerous bad experience with their product at least on a daily basis.More bad press then any company has ever had in history.In trouble with the department of Justice and local state agency for anti-trust in the past years.If you search Google and search for their name + lawsuit your will find 26,900 websites about this company.In trouble with the FTC numerous times.Paid millions of dollars in fines of the years.Numerous class-action lawsuit currently in supreme courts.History of releasing bad products, before they have been tested properly. Oh, by the way I should also tell you that this company has over 80% of the market share in their category.Their stock price has been up and down over the years.Have also lost millions of customers over the years.I know what most of you are thinking, I would not only never use their product or service, but also would never buy their stock.Right?And, if you said NO, NO, NO. Then you would have missed out on one of the best producing companies in history. And most of you should just stop using your computer because the company I have been talking about is: Microsoft.My point is:That if you are looking for bad news about any company you will find it. If people are not talking about a company, the company is most likely not growing or doing anything.People love bad news, bad news sells.It took Microsoft over 15 years to hit1 Billion in sales annually.YTB is about to do it in 8.Only 90 BBB filings against YTB? In comparison to other similar online agencies listed in Travel Weekly's top 35, that's a great track record!Other BBB top complaint companies:Expedia.com - The BBB processed a total of 1024 complaints about this company in the last 36 months.Orbitz - The BBB processed a total of 1729 complaints about this company in the last 36 monthsTravelocity - Number of complaints processed by the BBB in the last 36 months: 1528. And in the last 12 months: 533.Not to mention...American Express (Travel Related Services Co.) - The BBB processed a total of 606 complaints about this company in the last 12 MONTHS. Some of you know and some of you don't know that California filed a lawsuit against YTB for deceptive sales practices and operating a pyramid scheme. We don't have any secrets here at YTB and we don't keep any secrets.YTB has been in meetings with California for months over a new proposed law in that state concerning the travel industry and it's potential impact on our business. The discussions reached a stalemate and California filed suit.Folks, this is not the first time YTB has been challenged.When any company is revolutionizing an industry, and growing faster than any other company in the industry, the industry doesn't like it. In our case, that is the travel industry. It is not a coincidence that last year YTB showed up as #35 on the Power List, and within 3 months we were challenged by IATA, Royal Caribbean, and Rhode Island.Why do you think that happened?The industry doesn't like us. Now we are #26 on the Power List. This lawsuit is a result of the INDUSTRY putting pressure on the lawmakers, not an issue of whether YTB is in compliance with California law.We will be challenged.We will be shot at.It has happened to EVERY company that changed an industry.It happend to Microsoft, Walmart, IBM, McDonalds, Amway, Mary Kay, Excel, A.L. Williams, and every other company that revolutionized their industry.Why do you think we would be different --- especially when we are taking over the largest indutry in the world?This is EXPECTED. Coach, Scott, and Kim are not rookies to this business.They have fought these battles before and won.The blessing WE have is that we have them running the show, and they have "been there, done that" before and been victorious.During this time we will lose some weak reps. We know that.There will be competitors out there trying to steal our people. We know that.There will be some fear and indecision out there. We know that too.But there will also be LEADERS that step up.There will be CHAMPIONS born.There will be people that just decide that WE ARE READY for a fight.That's US.WE are READY FOR THE FIGHT.We are READY to go kick some butt.We are READY to STAND UP AND LEAD OUR TEAM THROUGH THIS CHALLENGE.DON'T YOU EVER DOUBT your company's commitment to YOU.DON'T YOU EVER DOUBT that we will win this thing.DON'T YOU EVER DOUBT that YTB will be the #1 Travel Company in the World --- No Matter What We Have To Go Through.REST ASSURED --- YTB is all over this issue. Our attorneys are already in California working on this.This WILL BE RESOLVED, and when it is, YTB will be even stronger because of it.Have faith in Coach, Scott, Kim, and your company to handle this matter. They will handle it. It is just a bump in the road.There are 4 things that WE can do to help.1) Sell more travel.Tell EVERYONE you know that you own a travel business and ask them to book their travel with someone they know vs someone they don't know. The more travel we sell, the more power we have.2) Sell more Travel Stores.Go find every friend you have that wants to get paid to travel, get tax deductions when they travel, and travel for less, and sell them a travel store. The more travel stores we have, the more travel we sell.3) Do not talk to the media.If someone tries to talk to you that has a notebook, a microphone or a camera, just tell them to send their questions to media@ytb.com, and refuse to talk with them. We have to let Coach, Scott and Kim fight this battle. We need to stay out of it.4) Step Up and LEAD YOUR TEAM.
Nobody wants to follow a weak, disillusioned, crybaby, pansy.At times like this, they look for STRONG, COMMITTED, POWERFUL Leadership.You need to STEP UP and be that LEADER for your team.Talk to them. Keep them informed. Let them know where you stand.Tell them --- You can quit if you want to, but I'M STAYING RIGHT HERE FOR THE FIGHT. It's gonna be WORTH it to me and my family for generations to come.That's what Leaders do.Team, Coach, Scott, Kim, and all of the Directors that were in that meeting last night are a FAMILY. We are here for the long haul. There is NO FEAR in any of our eyes.None of us came here to get this far and fail.WE WILL WIN THIS THING.WE WILL BE THE #1 Travel Company in the world.WE ARE READY FOR THE FIGHT.We never said it would be EASY. We said it would be WORTH IT.You just BE TOUGH, and communicate to your teams that they just have to BE TOUGH, and we will ALL WIN. Let's go BUILD A COMPANY TOGETHER.
Your Partner in Success through Travel,Juliet St John
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