QuickTrip:Thebestlimoride...EVER
crossing the intersection, he was T-boned (broad-
Traveling by limo,I always get that“living large”tickle during
sided) by another vehicle. The next day, I got a call
those rare times I am able to go-it in style,but all the while
from the driver of the other car, telling me my driver
never taking the experience for granted.
was at fault and how I had better send a check for the
damages. That’s when I asked the guy if he had email,
to send the camera recording of him running the red
The time my mates and I bar hopped via a big stretch limo on
light and hitting my driver’s vehicle.”
my 21st birthday...the special ride I treated my family to...the
one from Nassau’s airport to our hotel in a big bomber of a
You can offer every bell, whistle and doohickey
stretch with my kids’ ooh-ing and ah-ing out the moon roof...
on the market, yet there is one aspect of trans-
Oh,and I can’t forget prom night. Good times,good times...
portation that will always remain the highest pri-
ority-onesuretostayconstantamidthebetter
liverycompanies-especiallywithinthesechang-
Thebestjourneyofall,though,
ingtimes: GOODSERVICE.
occurredthispastsummer.
My sisters and I collaborated on a landmark joint birthday gift
for my parents. Being the trying-for-new-ideas planner I am,I
suggested a“This is Your Life”tour - a surprise journey for them
inside a luxury limousine bus.
When my parents stepped on board,having no idea where we
were headed,I cued the music - CDs played containing all the
notes of our lives growing up together: kids’ songs,show tunes,
funny ones.Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong. Judy Garland
and Liza Minelli...
The limo rocked forward as“Mary Poppins”resounded from the
speakers. Meanwhile,the on board DVD played a loop of fami-
ly photos and snapshots of special memories.
I see it as I’m sitting next to senior driver, er, chauffeur,
Our first stop was to my parent’s houses where they each grew
Jack Maiale, a five-plus year veteran of Celebrity; a self
up,then,their old grade and high schools,followed by a trip
described“real people person”by trade.
past their parent’s former apartments.
Says Jack:“I’ve sat back there”he indicates to the back
seat. “I was in the corporate world for over twenty
We then went to the neighborhood where we lived for over
years. This to me is more intriguing. Enjoying the road,
twenty-six years,stopping to tour our house (how did it get so
meeting nice people, I get to love my job each and
small inside??),and even a greeting from a few old neighbors
every day.”
who still lived on the block.
He shows me all the components of the vehicle: the
Lunch was cheesesteaks at the place my parents used to take
GPS, the on board camera, and his trusty cell phone us on Saturday afternoons.
that is affixed to the waist of his well-pressed pinstriped
suit.
We made a few other stops along memory lane (the swim club,
a favorite ice cream parlor),concluding back at my parent’s
We cruise in Jack’s 2008 Lincoln Town Car sedan - an
condo.
immaculate, precision instrument... Just like Jack, just
like Matt Santiago,and just like that techno-wonder of a
system that helps run their show.
Smiles intermingled with tears. Memories poured forth - some
of which had gone untapped for decades. Our own kid’s
shared in the revelry of the day.
Ken Alan is Vice President of Concierge Services for BPG
Properties, Ltd. He is the founder of the Philadelphia
NOLIMORIDEHASEVERBEENBETTER.
Concierge Association, At Large Chapter President of the
National Concierge Association, and a contributor to several
by Ken Alan
regional
publications.kalan@bpgltd.com
Mid-Atlantic EVENTS Magazine 79
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