On the bright side, I’ve had some success at being frugal…
I started this trip going to Philadelphia, which isn’t really a great place to be frugal. The Philly sandwich at the airport Marriott where I stayed is $13 and lousy (real food costs much more). The cheapest glass of wine is $9. But when I checked in, I asked them if they knew if I was silver or gold with Marriott. They said they didn’t know (I don’t either). They gave me concierge floor access just in case… which includes free food (ala Shanghai, though not quite as extensive). Saved me at least $20 (dinner and breakfast), probably more, and the dessert in the evening was a nice touch (cheesecake!).
Then, when I got here to Frankfurt, I was totally wiped out. I took care of some business, and then sunk into my very comfy bed here at the Westin around 1:45ish pm. I had set my alarm for 5:15 so I could go out for dinner. About 2:50, the drilling noise started. It had to be one of the most annoying noises of my life. After about 5 minutes of it, I called the desk and explained that I was trying to sleep and I’d like the drilling to stop until 5:30. It went on until 3:15 and then stopped.
Thinking all was well, I tried to go back to sleep. Just as I was nodding off, it started again around 3:30. I called the desk again quite a bit more upset. It was the middle of my night. They offered to switch my room (too much work and not enough time), invite me to breakfast (5:00 a.m. pickup, no can do), or bring me ear plugs (you’re kidding…at a Westin???). I told them I’d call them back.
I fumed as I listened to the audible assault wanting more than anything in the world to sleep right at that moment. Then it hit me, if I can’t sleep, I may as well nix dinner out and just eat now. I called the manager back. A few minutes later, I left my audio torture chamber and began a fairly nice dinner with a couple glasses of wine courtesy of the hotel. Now, nothing can really make up for the inability to sleep, but getting $50 or $60 in (at their prices) free food and drinks while I endure a construction delay did, indeed, help.
The downside to all the jet lag is the part that’s happening now. Since I didn’t stick with my dinner plan I was asleep again around 7 pm or so (wanted to make sure the drilling was really done). Of course, at 1 am sharp, I’m wide awake. I don’t have to get up and wake up the rest of the crew until 4 for our 5 a.m. pickup (we’re flying Turkish Air to Istanbul and then Adana at 7:30ish). I figured I could catch up on email and write about this month’s adventure to date.
Then I got to thinking about the financial impact of all this. And then I realized I’d be hungry by breakfast time but it’d be too early here… and then it hit me… I can make it 3 full days without paying for a meal: Star Alliance Gold members on international itineraries get free lounge access. Breakfast here I come!
V-