Tuesday's Traveler - Chicago

I love the windy city! I've only been once, unfortunately, to the downtown areas. I've been to the ghetto suburbs once as well. (clarification: the area I was in was ghetto. not all Chicago subs are)

But my favorite part was, by far, being downtown.

This was not a solo trip, which I'm very thankful for. Had R not been with me, I wouldn't have gotten to do as much. Plus, R was the one who "trained" me, which is what this trip kind of was as well. We worked together the first day, then split the next two days at the conference. One day I worked the afternoon and he worked the morning and the next I worked the morning and he the afternoon and breakdown of the booth. We also ventured to Navy Pier together. So. Much. Fun!

In my afternoon off, I stumbled into the Chicago Cultural Center. Until my research for this post, I didn't realize it was 5 floors. I only made it to two. The CCC houses the worlds largest Tiffany glass Dome:

 I didn't know what I was looking at then. But you can see parts of the Tiffany Dome in the picture.

But what really caught my attention, and had me lingering on the second floor for so long, was the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Rotunda, Hall, and Annex.

The detail. The architecture. The listing of the different battles in the south over the doors. It was just a really cool section of the CCC.

I had such a great time exploring. The CCC was a block behind the hotel we stayed at, so I didn't have to wander far to find something for my camera. (These are all taken with my little Olympus point & click...I can't imagine the fun I'd have with my DSLR!)

I hope to go back to Chicago someday. And I hope Mr S can come with me. I think he'd enjoy it, as long as it's not a cold day!

Tuesday's Traveler

Well, I'm back in the saddle again...sort of. I'm on the road for work again. Can I just say that, despite the family tragedy we had two weeks ago, I really did enjoy having the time off. Granted there was no sleeping in (there wasn't much sleeping, period, the first few days) and there was A LOT of stress. But not having to worry about work was so nice.

I'm looking forward to our vacay in November where there isn't a family tragedy to warrant a few days off. I can just relax with my love at our favorite spot - Disneyland! We're actually going to stay at one of the Disneyland Resort Hotels in Anaheim this time and I'm very excited about that! I wanted to for our honeymoon, but since I was able to get two nights free at a close hotel we figured that was the prudent thing to do after dropping the wad we did on the wedding. Growing up is not all it's cracked up to be sometimes!

Well, on to my weekly travel post. I promised I would regale you with some of my past travel
experiences. I'll start with my first solo trip.

Back story number 1:  when an employee starts as a travel rep for the organization I work for, they have a trial time (like any good business would do) where you're learning the ropes of travel and are paired with other reps to see the different ways everyone does things. Prior to my solo, I had been on two (TWO) other trips. Now-a-days, new reps have either a 60 or 90 day trial where they don't go solo till after that time frame (I may or may not have caused that...no really, I'm not sure.  But that's another story for another day).

I was to travel to San Francisco with my supervisor for a very large conference (think around the 10,000 mark). We were to have a 10x10 booth space with a display, table, chairs, carpeting (because you have to have carpeting and you have to pay for it) and all our materials in the Moscone Center in downtown San Fran. Two women working a booth in San Francisco. It would be fun. I liked my supervisor and she was up on what sites to use to find great places to eat and so on as she had been doing this for about a year. And then, due to a family situation, she had to back out and send me on my own!!!

Back story number 2:  Up to this point, I have never been to California. I had only two trips, by my self, under my belt and that was to Virginia Beach to visit friends. Purely non-professional. All other trips were road trips no further than New Orleans (with friends) or west with my family (when I was younger).

I was so panicked! She had done all the planning for the trip, so I basically had to pick up where she left off based on her emails and such. I had never done all this before. All, TWO, of my previous trips, the other rep had handled all the details and I had just been along for the ride. Talk about being pushed into the deep end with no life vest. This was definitely sink or swim time!

And yet, somehow I survived! Once the initial panic wore off, I was able to make sure I had what I needed before leaving. I had no issues with flights on the way there or back. I found transportation to my hotel (Hilton on Farrell St). I discovered that I was within walking distance to the convention center, so there was no need for a taxi or shuttle the rest of the days. And I loved every minute of my trip (the conference was a bust for us and we haven't done it since, though). I even ventured into unknown territory by going to a little hole-in-the wall place for dinner one night. I had time one day to venture to the waterfront (Pier 39 and 41 ares) and Ghirardelli Square. I even took a boat tour of the harbor - out and under the Bay Bridge, around Alcatraz, and back to the docks. It was FANTASTIC!!

My only hiccup came when it was time to pack up my display and materials and ship them back. I didn't feel properly "trained" in what to do, so I did the best I could. And it worked out.

Here's a few of the pictures I took while at the pier and on the boat around the harbor:

Thanks for joining me this week. Please feel free to ask questions and I'll be more than happy to answer the ones I can (I won't give any names of people or where I work or conferences I attend). But I can pass on tips, stories, and/or pictures. 

Enjoy...

Tuesday's Traveler - Mornings

Let me just tell you...I am NOT a morning person.  At. All.  It requires a full cup of coffee and some me time to just adjust my brain to the fact that my body isn't in bed anymore. 

I am very blessed - I work from home.  Because of this, I am also very spoiled.  I start my day at 7:30 AM.  I get out of bed about 10-15 minutes later.  My work day starts at 8 AM.  It is very nice that my office is 10 steps from my bed and there is no dress code.  I do work a full day:  8 AM - 5 PM Monday through Thursday and then 8 AM to 3 PM on Fridays (as does the main office in Alabama).

Unfortunately, because I travel for a good portion of my job, this doesn't really help me when I'm out of town.  And yet, somehow,  I do what is needed.  I'm up 2 hours before my first stop (or attempted stop).  I really don't know what it is that allows my body to adjust so quickly to being on the road.  Or what it is that tells it I'm home and don't really need to get up two hours before work just to "wake up".  I can't explain it.  I even had another travel rep for another company ask me how I did it when I mentioned I wasn't a morning person.  Maybe it's just that I know I've got to do what I've got to do and that is motivation enough.

Now if I could just harness that thought process into my school work, I might actually make an A in this class.

Safe travels to you...

Tuesday's Traveler - If Owned A Hotel

Earlier this year, while staying at a Resort/Casino/Hotel in Vegas for a conference, I started posting randomly on Facebook things I would do if I owned a hotel.  Since my days on the road are a little crazy, and I'm on the road this week, this is a quick and easy post to do.  And I hope it adds a little humor to your night.

If I owned a hotel...

1.  I would NOT charge any fee for internet (cord connected or WiFi)...ever or anywhere.  Free in the room.  Free in the lobby.  Free in the breakfast area.  Free by the pool.  EVERYWHERE!!

2.  In keeping with number 1, said internet would be strong enough to support every room at double occupancy with both people in the room on the internet streaming videos.  I mean let's face it...free WiFi is great, but if the speed sucks, what's the point?

3.  I would use Charmin Ultra Strong TP in all bathrooms.  There is nothing worse than flimsy little single-ply TP when you have just...well, I'll leave that to your imagination.

4.  I would supply larger towels.  I'm talking what most stores consider "bath sheets".  I am a big girl - 5'8" and enough to love that the normal little flimsy towels just don't cut it.  What hotels consider a towel is what I use at home to wrap my wet hair in after a shower.  I need something that is almost as tall as me from end to end, so I can get a proper body wrap, and at least 2.5 feet wide so I'm covered from boobs to butt.

5.  In keeping with number 4, towel warmers.  Ok, ok, I know, it's a luxury.  But a girl can dream.  Besides, this is my hotel we're talking about.

6.  There would be two packets of regular coffee and one of decaf coffee in each room.  And more than one creamer/sugar packet that is changed out on a monthly basis.  Now, some of you may be thinking "that's something you can have housekeeping do".  Well, I don't have housekeeping come to my room when I'm on the road.  I've heard to many horror stories (and I also used to work housekeeping eons ago).  Besides, if I'm only in a room two nights, what's the point in wasting that time on tidying up when she'll be cleaning a day later.  Now I could as for these things when I come back at the end of the day.  But I'm usually so exhausted that it's the last thing on my mind...until I wake up. As for the creamer/sugar packets, the only reason I want them changed out every month (or so) is because I've stayed at a hotel before where the packet I opened was hard stuck together.  Not quite sure what happened there, but it wasn't pretty.  And I wasn't happy.

7.  Free, excessive parking.  No charge, ever.  And lots of it, always.  And wide, diagonally lined spots.

8.  Free bottled water to every guest.

9.  Some sort of free breakfast.  Whether it's just a buffet with fruit and cereal and juices or a full blown "what would you like off the menu", it'll be free to everyone.

And I think that about does it.  I'm sure you're thinking I'd never make any money off this hotel.  But if I have happy customers, I'm a happy owner.  What would you like to see different based on some of the hotels you've stayed at?

Hugs...

Tuesday's Traveler - Airport Advice (read also Pet Peeves)

Welcome to Tuesday's Traveler!  I hope you are enjoying this, so far (since this is only the second post).  I hope to make this as fun and entertaining as possible, as well as informational.  So if you have any questions or want me to discuss anything, please feel free to ask!  I am no expert, by any means, but I have been doing this for almost 5 years so I like to think I have something to contribute!

This week I'm going to rant discuss some airport pet peeves advice.  I realize that not everyone travels as much as I do.  Some of you don't even get travel once a year.  These are just collections of things I've seen across my travels that have irked me just a little when dealing with the airport population.

1. Why do women (not business women) feel the need to dress to the nines when traveling?  They're not even riding in first class!  Yet they're working those platform stilettos like they're a Beverly Hills housewife.  Have you walked an airport lately?  Those floors are a little slick, and I wear flats with rubber soles!!  There is no way on this earth I would wear stilettos to walk down the terminal to my gate!

2.  While we're on the topic of fashion, let's talk about going through security.  We've all heard the horror stories of borderline molestation by the TSA agents.  Honestly, I think those are worse-case-scenarios from when the new machines were first implemented.  I have yet to see any person who is noticeably handicapped (in any way) receive the type of treatment these people are talking about.  Anyway, if you pack and dress properly and follow the guidelines for the signs posted (and if you look online prior to your trip), security will not be a pain for you!
     * First things first:  you have to show your boarding pass AND photo ID pass to the agent before you get unload all your junk for the trip through the x-ray machines.  That's what the first line is for.  Please don't put it away only to have to dig it out later and hold the line up.
     * Do not buy any type of drink (bottle, canned, glass, fountain, etc) prior to security (unless you plan to guzzle that puppy down or throw it away right away)!  It is clearly stated no liquids over 3oz.
     * COMPLETELY empty all items from pockets, guys.  I mean EVERYTHING...keys, phone, wallet, cash, change, lint!  And take that belt off while you're at it.
     * Shoes come off.  I highly recommend slip-ons of some sort.  If you just have to wear those cute boots or lace-ups, please begin the removal process while waiting in line if you have enough hands.  Otherwise you will hold up the line and you will piss someone off.
     * Laptop comes out of the bag and out of the cushiony protector thingy.  iPad comes out, too, sometimes (I almost got help up for mine so I've been taking it out all the time now).
     * Liquids/Gels are the reason I always check a bag.  I really don't know how they expect a woman to pack all the liquids/gels she needs to be presentable in a small quart-sized Ziploc bag!  I know I can't do it!  But if you can, make sure that comes out of the bag too...or you'll get held up.

3.  With regards to checked luggage, I will never understand why it takes so long for my suitcase to go from the plane to the carousel in baggage claim!  My home airport isn't that big and yet I wait longer for my luggage when I get home than when I arrive at Sacramento, Houston, or any other larger airport (with the exception of Atlanta because that place is like it's own city it's so big).

4.  And when you're waiting for your luggage to ride the carousel of joy to you, please watch where you stand!  I have had MANY people step in front of me and completely block my view with no regard to me or anyone else.  I know you're luggage is important...but so is mine!  So please keep that in mind.  And have the decency to move the eff out of the way when I start slinging that heavy green thing off the ride.  You will get hurt and I will not mourn the loss of your big toe, knee cap, thigh.

 Well, that's all the pearls of wisdom I have to offer today.

Enjoy...