ANNA’S TALKATIVE SPIRIT – THE LIFE OF A GUIDE
What job could Anna ever do, a curious girl who likes being with people, interested in reading and learning all the time, a person who loves travelling, exploring and discovering? And above all somebody who never stops chatting, talking and telling stories? Was it all already written in the genes? Yes, I guess it was. What about becoming a guide? Sounds good, there you are!
My whole family still remember that moment pretty well. As soon as they heard me talking out of the blue, while I was playing on our terrace, they knew, I was ready to become a real challenge. The radio had been turned on, super full batteries, unstoppable waves of words. After all somebody had to do it, so I started filling that silent and quiet atmosphere with sounds, monosyllables, words and endless phrases. Was I there to counterbalance? I am sure the quietest and pacific souls in my family must have thought that. Quietness and stillness were just a memory, and everybody’s patience was now challenged by an unusually talkative little girl. Talking and chatting became an ordinary thing for me, something I really liked and enjoyed doing naturally.
At school everybody agreed on the judgement, “Your daughter always talks in class” this is what teachers reported to my parents, what a surprise! They were ready to receive that news, they already knew, even if they did not have any crystal ball. They kept agreeing of course, and their reply was always the same “We understand, she is the same, even at home”.
When I was a child I dreamt of becoming a teacher, I still remember gathering and sitting, properly and obviously in lines, all my dolls and puppies and every day I was there, punctual and ready to begin my lesson. I used to talk, do my explanations, ask questions and reply for them, too, and talk once again. An endless monologue, with no interruptions.
What about mountains? My dad was the real hero, he introduced me into this magic world, and even here thanks to my spiciness and energy I would have found somebody to talk to, some new friends to share my curiosities with and ask questions. The huge fascinating stones of a pristine mountain stream I fell in love with became my new chatting fellows. But surprisingly, no replies, I was the only one talking, but I loved them anyway and kept replying for them, too. My dad still remembers my endless stone chatting and jumping all over, maybe that was the perfect moment for him to finally relax a little, enjoy and rest! Not to blame, now I perfectly understand!
Both at school and university being a talkative person helped a lot in pursuing my objectives. And the same relates to my first work experiences, being talkative, and of course the Italian way using my hands following the beat, contributed to make it easier.
Well, I became a professional double guide, a Tour Guide and an International Mountain Leader. You might think that a guide likes talking and telling stories of course. Yes, correct! Nevertheless, a guide knows how important it is to listen, to smile, and with the experience learns how to measure words and talk if necessary, but above all understands that people enjoy silence which plays an important role in our everyday life. I chose a wonderful and inspiring job, a profession where nothing is taken for granted, learning, reading, studying and meeting special people, all in one go. Life of a guide is a wonderful life, full of surprises and positive energy. I am a guide, I can simply be myself, and show my personality, share my passions, knowledge and everyday life, for a unique experience. And I think this is great, because places remain, but people always make the experience unique and unforgettable. But being talkative and with Italian hands clearly helps!
Go back