Well, I find myself back in Louisville after a harrowing adventure that is the Ronald Reagan Airport, accompanied by the continued lackluster everything about US AIRWAYS. Holy moly.
The airport might be the worst airport I've ever been in. A lot of people don't like Atlanta's Airport, but honestly, I don't have a problem with it. There is ample seating, and more then one place to wet your whistle with a brew. I couldn't find any place selling any form of alcholol past security. Granted, I didn't look too hard on the ticketing side of the gate, I figured that for sure I'd be able to sit down and have a drink at a bar somewhere. I was wrong. I couldn't find anywhere. Miami Florida's Airport was nice in this regard, and my favorite is still NY's LaGuardia. Atlanta, sure, it's hurried, but you can find a place. Regardless...
US Airways ineptness continued. Every 5 minutes (and that's not a joke or exaggeration) the airline "barker" (as I will call him, since he wasn't taking himself too seriously and was doing his damnest to try and make light of the situation) would come across the loudspeaker and inform the assembled that there had been an overbooking, and they needed 6 people to step up and take another flight. They promised to put you up in a four star hotel, take care of your meals and transportation, and then get you on a flight the next day. Right. Most likely you'd be on STAND BY the next day, and it might take you a week to get home, and they would only pay for that first day. They offered a free round trip ticket to those willing to do it, but forget it! not for me. I wanted to get home.
I checked the arrival/departure board. The plane was scheduled to arrive at the airport at 8:20pm, and leave at 8:17pm. yup, not a typo on my part, that's what the board said. I knew I was screwed. When the plane finally did take off at 9:30pm I thought it was miracle. Lord help me if there is ever another choice, I'll remember this trip and pay extra money if need be to NOT FLY US AIRWAYS. It was godawful.
Anyway, that's that, and I'm home. I'll be leaving again at the end of the month for the wonderful LAS VEGAS! This should be fun. Half of the trip is business, and the other half is a mini vacation for myself and my wife. I get a discounted room rate, so I'm taking advantage of it. Check back at the end of May, beginning of June for more misadventures and trip reviews. Remember, by god traveling may not be pretty, and it takes those with true grit... And we've got plenty of that.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Shelly's Back Room
Well, to get you a little caught up....
Yesterday I did indeed head out to the aforementioned bar... and it was good.
After a stressful day, I decided it just wouldn't be right to not give our nation's capital a fair shake. So, I headed down to the cab station, had the friendly worker hail me a cab, and went on my way. I went across the river in what I would later learn was "about average" traffic. It took perhaps 20 minutes to cover the distance, and cost me about $20. I was lucky enough to have the world's craziest cab driver, which I guess was nice. This man took me at speeds well in excess of the posted speed limit, and further more, cut off more cars and trucks then a california car chase driver on TV. (okay, what I'm really trying to say is, I was scared. I thought on at least 3 occasions that we were in a wreck for sure. Amazingly we only had one motorist threaten us.)
When we got there, the driver gave me his card, and assured me he'd be right there if I needed him. I nodded and thanked the man, and quickly put his card out of mind. I entered the bar, and I was surrounded by the smell of old leather, smoke, and beer.. this is the sort of thing I was looking for this whole time. It's a small bar, with couches, plush chairs, and a few tables scattered around in a central room. The bar is in the back, and in the front is an area with tables and booths. The host asked me where I would like to sit, and my response of, "some place quiet and in the corner" was greeted with a laugh, "The corner I can do, but quiet, I think you're out of luck." True enough. The patrons were a laughing and talking bunch, sitting in thier suits smoking cigars and drinking beers. At first I thought I was terribly underdressed in my blue jeans and dress shirt, but I was quickly assured that this was a more casual local: the ties were loose, and more then one shirt was untucked. This was a place for winding down.
I took my corner seat and was pleased with a view of "F" street and a nice widescreen TV in the corner. All the TVs were well placed, and I have a feeling no matter where I sat, I would have been able to keep abreast of the sports scene. I ordered a Manhattan, and the waitress brought me a large marble ash tray. I had brought a couple of cigars with me, and it looked like most of the other patrons had done the same. There were cigars available, but I found them overpriced. I'm sure that they can sell them for those prices, or else they would have them priced differently. I have many of the cigars that they had for sale in my humidor, or I can get them if I wanted for prices that are much more reasonable. They did have humidors lockers for rent, and I have to tell you... if I lived in DC, I would have one, and Shelly's would be a definate hangout.
Anyway, I had a cheeseburger and french fries, and they were excellent. I followed it up with another cigar and drink. The time had passed too quickly, and it was time for me to head back to the hotel. I had no trouble catching a cab, and this time I made the trip back in no traffic, with a sane driver, which took perhaps 8 minutes, with a cost that I still thought a little high, but I guess not. it was $13. maybe it was because it was a different cab company.
Anyway, that was yesterday. Today has been a good one. No activity or anything like that. I had the hotel send me up a pizza and two amstel lights for dinner.
Yesterday I did indeed head out to the aforementioned bar... and it was good.
After a stressful day, I decided it just wouldn't be right to not give our nation's capital a fair shake. So, I headed down to the cab station, had the friendly worker hail me a cab, and went on my way. I went across the river in what I would later learn was "about average" traffic. It took perhaps 20 minutes to cover the distance, and cost me about $20. I was lucky enough to have the world's craziest cab driver, which I guess was nice. This man took me at speeds well in excess of the posted speed limit, and further more, cut off more cars and trucks then a california car chase driver on TV. (okay, what I'm really trying to say is, I was scared. I thought on at least 3 occasions that we were in a wreck for sure. Amazingly we only had one motorist threaten us.)
When we got there, the driver gave me his card, and assured me he'd be right there if I needed him. I nodded and thanked the man, and quickly put his card out of mind. I entered the bar, and I was surrounded by the smell of old leather, smoke, and beer.. this is the sort of thing I was looking for this whole time. It's a small bar, with couches, plush chairs, and a few tables scattered around in a central room. The bar is in the back, and in the front is an area with tables and booths. The host asked me where I would like to sit, and my response of, "some place quiet and in the corner" was greeted with a laugh, "The corner I can do, but quiet, I think you're out of luck." True enough. The patrons were a laughing and talking bunch, sitting in thier suits smoking cigars and drinking beers. At first I thought I was terribly underdressed in my blue jeans and dress shirt, but I was quickly assured that this was a more casual local: the ties were loose, and more then one shirt was untucked. This was a place for winding down.
I took my corner seat and was pleased with a view of "F" street and a nice widescreen TV in the corner. All the TVs were well placed, and I have a feeling no matter where I sat, I would have been able to keep abreast of the sports scene. I ordered a Manhattan, and the waitress brought me a large marble ash tray. I had brought a couple of cigars with me, and it looked like most of the other patrons had done the same. There were cigars available, but I found them overpriced. I'm sure that they can sell them for those prices, or else they would have them priced differently. I have many of the cigars that they had for sale in my humidor, or I can get them if I wanted for prices that are much more reasonable. They did have humidors lockers for rent, and I have to tell you... if I lived in DC, I would have one, and Shelly's would be a definate hangout.
Anyway, I had a cheeseburger and french fries, and they were excellent. I followed it up with another cigar and drink. The time had passed too quickly, and it was time for me to head back to the hotel. I had no trouble catching a cab, and this time I made the trip back in no traffic, with a sane driver, which took perhaps 8 minutes, with a cost that I still thought a little high, but I guess not. it was $13. maybe it was because it was a different cab company.
Anyway, that was yesterday. Today has been a good one. No activity or anything like that. I had the hotel send me up a pizza and two amstel lights for dinner.
Morning madness.
Now, while I have had a continuing wonderful experience at my hotel, the Double Tree Crystal City, I did have a bad go of things at breakfast. I woke up early yesterday, and as I suspected, I beat the rush to the restuarant, so that I could sit and order in realitive peace. My waitress brings me my menu, and I ask her for a glass of orange juice, and then I ask her about a few items on the menu. She responds to my questions about menu items by stating, "We have a buffet. it's $14." and then she left and got me my juice. Well, I didn't want the buffet, so I ordered of the menu, and I got a heavy sigh from the waitress. She shook her head as she walked off, obviously upset that I didn't get the buffet. 1/2 an hour later she, had never returned to my section, but had cast several displeased looks to my area (of which I was the only occupant). 15 minutes later she brought two other people to my section, and brought them drinks, and left me again. They got the buffet... My juice cup had been empty by this point for well over half an hour, and since I had not been brought any water, I wandered around the restuarant to try and find some juice. I finally saw a jug sitting in a server area, and made my way back there and starting pouring myself a glass. This got her attention, and she rushed over to me, "Can I help you?!" my response, "I'm not sure, I haven't had much luck yet. I see this is where you keep the orange juice, if I want more should I just come back here and get it?" She was obviously upset at this point and responded, "I will bring it to you." I nodded and told her, "oh I see, well that would be wonderful."
I wasn't trying to be a jerk, but damn, this woman had maybe three tables total, of which two had the buffet. It's not like this would be a hard set up. I waited tables for years, and trust me, I can do the job just fine. In my experience, acknowledging that you have a table by maybe... walking near it and checking in on your customer maybe once every oh... 25 minutes maybe? I would have settled for once in a half hour, or even 45 mins, but I didn't get any of it. I had to set out on my own. Now a full hour and a half later, my plate of fruit and yogurt had still not arrived. I was nearing the very end of my patience. Finally my meal arrived. I ate quickly, since I now had less then 15 mins to make my meeting. I asked her for my check when she brought my meal, and it never came. I went to the front, and waited for the manager, who I asked if she could help me get my check. That seemed to get things in order, as it was brought in quick order. The waitress had the nerve to stand over me as I filled out my "tip." The woman was lucky she got anything at all.
This morning I had the buffet.
I wasn't trying to be a jerk, but damn, this woman had maybe three tables total, of which two had the buffet. It's not like this would be a hard set up. I waited tables for years, and trust me, I can do the job just fine. In my experience, acknowledging that you have a table by maybe... walking near it and checking in on your customer maybe once every oh... 25 minutes maybe? I would have settled for once in a half hour, or even 45 mins, but I didn't get any of it. I had to set out on my own. Now a full hour and a half later, my plate of fruit and yogurt had still not arrived. I was nearing the very end of my patience. Finally my meal arrived. I ate quickly, since I now had less then 15 mins to make my meeting. I asked her for my check when she brought my meal, and it never came. I went to the front, and waited for the manager, who I asked if she could help me get my check. That seemed to get things in order, as it was brought in quick order. The waitress had the nerve to stand over me as I filled out my "tip." The woman was lucky she got anything at all.
This morning I had the buffet.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Double Tree Crystal City
Anyway, the low down on my hotel, the Double Tree Crystal City, situated in Arlington Virginia. It's a pretty cool local, really, near the river, and not too far off from the Pentagon. I haven't ventured out into the near by area yet, and I don't plan on it tonight. I might make a go of it tomorrow if I feel up it... but who knows. After my class, I had a headache from processing so much info, that I just didn't feel up for it. Room service again. Not too bad, I've been pleased so far with all the food.
Okay, now to the complaints. First off, when the hell did our nation's capital become ANTI-CIGAR?! not that I've been here a whole lot, mind you... I think this is my third trip, and my first since I've been over 18. Maybe it's just my hotel. There is a smoking allowed bar, but it's not cigar friendly. There isn't even an outside patio section at this hotel. This is a major strike against the ol' doubletree. I tried to have my room moved, but I decided that I wasn't going to give up my suite in exchange for the ability to smoke in the room, since there isn't another suite available. Having said all of this, I must point out that the hotel staff has been nothing but friendly and accommodating, except for this no cigar thing. The bars have some drinks available, and so that's nice. I have located a nice bar with in decent cab distance that is cigar friendly, and they have an impressive bourbon list (and no where on the list is a non bourbon posing as one, so there is hope!) The web link is: Shelly's Back Room
As I said earlier, I hope I'm up for it. If my head is hurting like it was today, I really might not be. I'm just now, 3 hours later, in a mood for anything, and it's too late for me to be heading out into the great unknown that is DC.
Anyway, so there we are. Note in Shelly's drink list, the Maker's Manhattan... can you guess which drink I'll get if I go?
Well, I have "homework" tonight, and I better get to it if I want to be prepared on the morrow.
On a side note, I just realized the Queen is here in DC. I guess she followed me from Louisville. She should be glad she has her own plane, and didn't have to deal with the godforsaken mess that is US AIRWAYS.
EDIT: One thing I have forgotten about this hotel, and I don't know how I could have, is that there is an annoying habit of the doors on the rooms to SLAM SHUT, and it's very VERY loud. There is a room down the hall from my suite, and I'm assuming it's another suite, and there are people coming in and out... a "party" room, I guess. Joy to the world. Hopefully this won't last all night, but it's been going pretty steady for the last hour or so.. or at least they might STOP SLAMMING THE DOORS. I hate to be that guy... but it's getting close. My work is paying for a private suite, and I should be able to reap the benefits of at least a semblance of quiet. I'm getting old, I can feel it... Of course, if there was someplace for me to smoke, I wouldn't even know about this, and there would be no complaining at all.
Okay, now to the complaints. First off, when the hell did our nation's capital become ANTI-CIGAR?! not that I've been here a whole lot, mind you... I think this is my third trip, and my first since I've been over 18. Maybe it's just my hotel. There is a smoking allowed bar, but it's not cigar friendly. There isn't even an outside patio section at this hotel. This is a major strike against the ol' doubletree. I tried to have my room moved, but I decided that I wasn't going to give up my suite in exchange for the ability to smoke in the room, since there isn't another suite available. Having said all of this, I must point out that the hotel staff has been nothing but friendly and accommodating, except for this no cigar thing. The bars have some drinks available, and so that's nice. I have located a nice bar with in decent cab distance that is cigar friendly, and they have an impressive bourbon list (and no where on the list is a non bourbon posing as one, so there is hope!) The web link is: Shelly's Back Room
As I said earlier, I hope I'm up for it. If my head is hurting like it was today, I really might not be. I'm just now, 3 hours later, in a mood for anything, and it's too late for me to be heading out into the great unknown that is DC.
Anyway, so there we are. Note in Shelly's drink list, the Maker's Manhattan... can you guess which drink I'll get if I go?
Well, I have "homework" tonight, and I better get to it if I want to be prepared on the morrow.
On a side note, I just realized the Queen is here in DC. I guess she followed me from Louisville. She should be glad she has her own plane, and didn't have to deal with the godforsaken mess that is US AIRWAYS.
EDIT: One thing I have forgotten about this hotel, and I don't know how I could have, is that there is an annoying habit of the doors on the rooms to SLAM SHUT, and it's very VERY loud. There is a room down the hall from my suite, and I'm assuming it's another suite, and there are people coming in and out... a "party" room, I guess. Joy to the world. Hopefully this won't last all night, but it's been going pretty steady for the last hour or so.. or at least they might STOP SLAMMING THE DOORS. I hate to be that guy... but it's getting close. My work is paying for a private suite, and I should be able to reap the benefits of at least a semblance of quiet. I'm getting old, I can feel it... Of course, if there was someplace for me to smoke, I wouldn't even know about this, and there would be no complaining at all.
Washington DC
Well, as I said in my last posts, I'll be traveling again soon, and soon enough has arrived. I find myself in our great nation's capital, Washington DC. What could I possibly comment on so soon? Hmm... how about the state of affairs of US AIRWAYS. First, let me say, holy crap.. not so good. I arrived at the airport, expecting my flight to leave at 5:55, so in true form, I get there about an hour and a half early. It's always been my mantra to arrive early at airports, so that there is no chance of missing the plane. I guess I should have known better. No clue is given to me at the check in of the status of my flight, other then a smile and a "enjoy!" So, I get to the gate, and my ticket that was just printed reads 5:55, and the projected take off time is.... 8:30. I ask the lady at the desk, and she assures me that there is a small delay, and that time will change back to something closer to the ticket time. I should have just left and come back in a few hours. I decided to wait it out.. of course, it did change to an earlier time... 7:50. so, it's hard to say, if I had left and come back, I probably would have missed it, but according to the irate man in line, you had to wait, because US AIRWAYS is well known for just cancelling a flight, and that I should just wait for that to happen. He explained to everyone in listening range about his experiences with the airline in great detail, and finally wore himself out, and sat red faced to wait with the rest of us for the next 3 hours. So of course I finally get to the reagan airport, and I miss the first hotel shuttle. The second one arrives, and I manage to get on board and make it to the hotel around 11pm. What a trip.
As far as my hotel goes, I like it quite a bit so far. The view sucks, but that's okay, because the bed is comfortable, and really, that's the most important thing. One complaint... I have to pay $10 a day for internet service... what sort of racket is this!? I guess I haven't traveled enough if I'm surprised by this, but that was one thing that Moline did infact have was a wonderfully powerful "g" wi fi. I'm paying for a decent signal "b" which just thinking about it upsets me.
Anyway, that's weak. I ordered roomservice this morning, and so far it hasn't arrived, and I'm starting to get nervous, and the operator assured me that it would be up in a short 15 to 20 minutes, which has already passed. I still have quite a bit of time before I have to be at my class, but I like to have wide open blocks of time to fiddle fart around. Oh well. So, I might not be posting quite every day due to the costs involved in doing so.. but figure on a few more, since I doubt I can really go that long with out checking my email.
As far as my hotel goes, I like it quite a bit so far. The view sucks, but that's okay, because the bed is comfortable, and really, that's the most important thing. One complaint... I have to pay $10 a day for internet service... what sort of racket is this!? I guess I haven't traveled enough if I'm surprised by this, but that was one thing that Moline did infact have was a wonderfully powerful "g" wi fi. I'm paying for a decent signal "b" which just thinking about it upsets me.
Anyway, that's weak. I ordered roomservice this morning, and so far it hasn't arrived, and I'm starting to get nervous, and the operator assured me that it would be up in a short 15 to 20 minutes, which has already passed. I still have quite a bit of time before I have to be at my class, but I like to have wide open blocks of time to fiddle fart around. Oh well. So, I might not be posting quite every day due to the costs involved in doing so.. but figure on a few more, since I doubt I can really go that long with out checking my email.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)