Happy Friday from Arizona everyone! Today in Allez les Belges we meet long-time NYC resident Jacqueline Goosens!
What is your current job/role in the tourism industry:I’m a private tourguide in New York. I have been living in the city since 1980. I came to New York as a journalist. I wrote numerous articles on all aspects of the city and seven books so far. I also gave many lectures on New York, mainly in Belgium.
I especially love to take my clients on off the beaten track tours or a combination of more traditional and lesser known sites. Just like in my writing I like to interweave the many aspects of the city, from its history to its culture, from its social issues to its politics, and so on. I feel very fortunate that many of my clients find me through word of mouth.
I also feel very fortunate to be one of the founding members of the Belgian-American private tour guide collective Via Americana. We give each other support and help spread the word about our six great cities being Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Detroit, Philadelphia and NYC.
Your own favorite vacation destination: that’s a tough one. I tend to fall in love with certain places. For example, I visited Turkey twice in the early 2000’s . After each trip I longed to go back. I felt very nostalgic especially about Istanbul. A month ago I spent a week in Iceland. I fell very hard for this truly unique and breathtaking country. I’m still not able to get it out of my system. I definitely want to go back.
What is the motto you live by:
Don’t whine. Do what needs to be done. Be helpful. Try to be a mensch.
What do you miss most about Belgium: Honestly, nothing. When I’m visiting there I enjoy a number of things that I don’t have in New York. When I’m in New York I enjoy the many things that I can’t experience in Belgium.
If you want to know more about Via Americana (also check out Leentje en Nathalie's previous blog posts) or about Jacqueline, please contact us at info@dailytraveldose.com. I am now stuck with the Frank Sinatra song NY NY in my head....
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