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Glocal #5 Lesson Of The Omelets Part 1 of 2

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Real Estate Agent with Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd IA100052670

Glocal #5 Lesson of the Omelets Part 1 of 2

Glocal #6 Lesson of the Omelets Part 2 of 2

“Thinking Global Acting Local” is the theme of the Spring 2011 Semester at Sea voyage around the world.  The Term "Glocal" is a hybrid word coming from the combination of taking global ideas to a local level.

We are 30 days into the voyage now and I am starting to connect the dots around the world without emotions.  Saying there is an adjustment to traveling on a ship with 700 other people is an understatement.  The diverse group of learners from all over the world has been an interesting study of human nature.  

The lessons are still the lessons and I was so happy to learn the Lesson of the rainforest in Dominica and the 18 Mile Rule in Brazil.  Could it be we have about completed 9 of the 18 miles in the last 30 days and a balance is starting to appear?  I am thinking we are about half way there and the dots are starting to connect.

The lesson of the Omelets are ready to be shared.

The ship, MV Explorer, embarked from Nassau, Bahamas on January 12, 2011.  My husband Tom and I arrived in Nassau a day early to be sure we were rested and ready to embrace all the “glocal” lessons we could absorb.  Being in a receptive state of mind heightens the consciousness for the lessons that are right there.  Without a conscious state of awareness the lessons can just slip by and the feeling of the experience is just going through the motions to get through an event.  By putting on the receptivity hat, the trip continues to be stimulating as the awareness heightens on a daily basis.  The ability to listen more intently, picking up on trends, actually feeling the moods of the people and the surroundings becomes a new world with intense opportunities to learn.

The hotel we were staying at provided us two free breakfast buffets because of some room issues whichOmlete will be another post involving the bar of expectations and quality.  While standing in the line to have an omelet prepared I heard the cook ask a man in line if he was having a good time.  The man answered “yes I am.”  The cook then inquired “when will you be coming back to Nassau?”  to which the man responded “well I need to get home first then think about it.”  The cook then suggested “why don’t you come back for the super bowl, we are going to have many fun events and it will be a great time.”

The thoughts came rushing in with wonder how an individual preparing an omelet would be such a great public relations person for the hotel in talking with the guests and closing n another stay.  The global lesson started to crystallize as I reflected on conversations with the taxi drivers, the door men, the restaurant host and wait staff.  Everyone we had come in contact with had a smile and was asking how our stay was going.  It became clear that Nassau, as a country or community, was dedicated to encourage tourism and help make the guest feel welcome and appreciated. Taking this concept to the local level it became evident that to create an environment where visitors want to come back and tell their friends about their stay in a particular location the entire community needs to be on board to make the visit pleasant no matter what facet of the town they encounter.  Taking the global message from Nassau right back to our local communities made the experience of the omelet a “glocal” lesson that expanded as we encountered engagement with the locals.  

Ambassadors of tourismDowntown we encountered tourism help from women in neon vests eager to help make our time in Nassau enjoyable.  The question arises “Is the local government involved with this dedication to creating a memorable experience for the visitors or is it just “free trade” at work?”  I had the distinct feeling of “big brother watching” as we navigated the area and thinking that would be great content for some investigative reporting.

The experience in Nassau has stimulated a desire for me to research how local communities can come together economically and from the heart for the common cause of sharing the love of their land with others coming to visit, work or live. 

Let’s ponder together, how do we take this global concept local?  Is there any way possible our local Chamber of Commerce can work with the community to support one another in expressing joy to visitors and sharing the love of the individual cities and towns?  Can we encourage local citizens to smile and engage with visitors to share the hometown feeling of a group of people living and working together with a common goal of survivalin changing economic times? 

Is it possible in our individual communities that even the person making omelets is concerned about the experience a visitor is having?  Williams, Arizona is the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon" and the community where my husband and I reside. We are going to take this lesson of the omelets to embrace each and every visitor we encounter on the street to be an ambassador of good will for the community we share. 

Glocal lesson #5 think global and act local, going “glocal” with omelets.  

Check back later for part 2.   

Comments (17)

Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

I have a relocation package, but perhaps a visitor's package should be included.  Visitors often decide to relocate and why not capture them one step earlier in the process?

Feb 10, 2011 06:31 AM
Barb & Sal Dragotta
Macomb, MI
Macomb County Michigan

Carra...such interesting things you present; making Omelets does involve the "breaking of the eggs"; know that I could not do that which you two are presently doing--as ship movements do bad things to my person.  But to read about the places and people that you are meeting [both on and off the ship] is a way to participate. 
Interesting perspectives & fun photos too.  What more could anyone ask.
Stay safe...have a great week ahead.

Barb

Feb 10, 2011 07:30 AM
Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon
Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO
Helping people Transition at all ages!

Norma~ that could be a great idea!  I think it is about genuine honesty and engagements... so sharing great things about your community is perfect!

Feb 10, 2011 07:48 AM
Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon
Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO
Helping people Transition at all ages!

Barb ~  So happy to have you along.. it really makes me feel great to have you stop in and chat!  Out here in the middle of the ocean it is very comforting so Thank you again for stopping by. We just left Ghana on our way to Cape Town. We will be on the Atlantic for 6 more days till we dock again. I have quite a few posts in draft so now I can finish them up and post away! 

Feb 10, 2011 08:18 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Carra-I've been enjoying your trip updates and all you are learning along the way.  I'm sure this is an adventure that will fill many a future book.

Feb 10, 2011 12:11 PM
Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon
Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO
Helping people Transition at all ages!

Cindy ~  It's great to have you with me... It really feels good to read your comments and those taking the time to post because I am way out in the middle of the ocean so it seems like my friends are right there with me... so again, your comments help me more than you will know!  Thanks for taking the time to share!

Feb 10, 2011 12:19 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

You keep making these lessons clearer and clearer. I remember the person in Nassau who got you to come to the restaurant. and now the omelet welcoming employee. We can all take these lessons back to our own town and to our own business!

Thank you so much for sharing these life lessons. What a way to travel...through your eyes.

We should be paying you for all your marvelous details.

Feb 10, 2011 12:22 PM
Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon
Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO
Helping people Transition at all ages!

Margaret ~  I am so excited that you are enjoying them.  It really was hard to get into gear to get the writing up and running.. I think I have the rhythm going now... You will laugh at the next Omelet lesson from Brazil.  I have more drafts as everything that happens seems to be connecting in one way or another... so fun having you and everyone commenting.. I don't feel so alone out in the middle of the ocean... we pulled out of Ghana today and now 6 days on the ocean going to Cape Town.  So plenty of time to get my posts finished up and shared!  The lesson of the omelet is really about sustainability... in Nassau if they do not maintain the tourist industry they all have a problem as they don't have other sources of income. It was like a big flashing sign to me... for other communities to take notice as they are all working together to create a pleasant atmosphere so people will come back.

Feb 10, 2011 12:33 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Carra, If we don't maintain our clients, we won't have income either. You have the sign flashing for me and others right now. I have just done a reblog the Rome way.

My pleasure to keep you company in the middle of the ocean.

Feb 10, 2011 12:39 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

These islands seem to be naturally tourist-friendly.  Maybe it's the weather, maybe the culture... Continue on your great journey, Carra.  We are watching and learning.

Feb 10, 2011 03:12 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Carra, with an economy that is so dependent on the tourist, it would be understandable that the government of at least office of tourism would make it a point to put out information to the service business to encourage their employees to be friendly and encourage coming back. Last year while in Freeport, I chatted with a few of the locals and they were very quick to point out that their economy was hurting because the tourist business was down. You are fortunate that your learning experience will take you to so many different places.

Feb 11, 2011 12:08 AM
Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon
Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO
Helping people Transition at all ages!

Margaret ~  Thank you so much... it is hard to describe how much all the comments on the blogs mean... I will try and write a post about it... I feel like all of you are with me and so greatly appreciate your sharing!

Jane ~  So great to have you traveling along with us!  I am learning so much each day.. I just got an INTRA e-mail from one of the students with his takeawy on Ghana.. he authorized me to share it on my blog so this is really getting good being able to share the students lessons along with mine.  Great collaboration and I am feeling good about our future as a country as I talk with the students on the ship! 

Ed ~ so good to see you... the discretionay dollar today and where we are spending it really SPEAKS to every country.. we are seeing just exactly how the natural resources from a country are extracted and the local people see none of the benefits.. gold, cocoa, oil... and the poverty just continues.... the top level of the pyramid still is the top but the bottom is getting bigger as the cash flow around the world changes.... Thanks Ed.

Feb 11, 2011 06:39 PM
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Hello Carra,

I concur with the omlet lesson after just reading part 1. I will read part 2 shortly since I am behind schedule.  We just returned from the Caribbean.  Great island hospitality.

I have cruised several times on large ships 7-14 days.  As much as we like being on the water & visiting great ports, I can't imagine being on an extended cruise. 

Good luck.

 

Feb 26, 2011 09:05 AM
Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon
Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO
Helping people Transition at all ages!

Mary ~  104 days is a LONG time.. we will be half way on March 5th!  We love LAND days! 

Feb 27, 2011 12:11 AM
Les & Sarah Oswald
Realty One Group - Eastvale, CA
Broker, Realtor and Investor

Hi Carra - great lesson from Nassau...customer service. A smile, a helpful hand goes a long way. For them, it brings back and strengthens tourism. For us, realtors it leads to referrals and more business.

Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Can't wait till the next omelet.

Feb 28, 2011 01:55 AM
Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon
Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO
Helping people Transition at all ages!

Sarah  ~  This is a huge learning curve from many standpoints!  Thanks for your comments! 

Feb 28, 2011 02:05 AM
Jim Frimmer
HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA
Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

I’m thoroughly enjoying reading your posts from your journey around the world. That’s something that I certainly don’t see myself ever doing. I’m kind of addicted to the United States.

Mar 06, 2011 10:30 AM