Sir:

We were members of a tour group organized by Pacific Delighe Tours who visited your region on October 18th and 19th, 2000. The local guide assigned to lead us was Ma Ning, whom we came to know simply as Ning. Ning in our estimation, a sentiment echoed by practically all the members of our group, was a superb guide in every respect. She deserve to be noted and rewarded for this fact.

Ning first appeared before us on the bus we got on soon after our arrival at the airport. We were almost immediately impressed by her warm and congenial personality, which made us feel comfortable, unafraid to ask questions, a sense of anticipation and eagerness see the places listed in our itinerary, and a belief that she would look after our interests and needs with strong attention and trust. Ning's command of the English, particularly in pronunciation, vocabulary, and idiomatic usage was excellent. We had no problem at all in understanding what she said and, in fact, it was a pleasure to listen to her. Of all the CITS guides we had in China, Ning was by far the best in terms of her use of English and in establishing a relationship bond which made travel with her in Guilin and environs a joy.

In her descriptions and comments about the areas we visited and the regions through which we traveled, Ning was impressive in knowledge and in her grasp of timing about what to say and when to say it. Moreover, she answered questions willingly and thoroughly and gave no hint of exasperation when the same questions were repeated or otherwise not needed. During the time we were in Guilin, she was with us as a total group, or smaller units, or single persons, at least more than twelve a day, showing us what we were supposed to see as well as additional sights. One day she took four of us in the rain, who were the only ones who wanted to go, to Fuboo Mountain; she could have easily declined to do this on the basis of numbers, but her desire to be of service and her sense of duty would not let her. On the two evenings we were in Guilin, she accompanied persons who wanted to get a massage and she brought those who wanted to observe Cormorant hunting to where they needed to go. She even did not forget what one might call the small things, like showing my wife and myself where to buy Osmanthas tea and what kind to buy. For our benefit, the good of CITS, and for Guilin, Ning worked very hard and put in long hours, and she succeeded in making our visit a very memorable one.

If within the CITS system, merit is considered for promotion, a raise in pay, or other benefits, Ma Ning should be so honored. I recommend her without reservation to you for primary consideration in this respect. Thank you very much for you kindness in accepting and reading this letter.

Vincent Ponko,Ph.D.

• Client's Information: Vincent Ponko,Ph.D.

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