Continuation of my weekend in Seattle.

A town car was supposed to be awaiting my arrival. Supposed to be is the key phrase here. No town car, just lots of luggage greeted me as I meandered over to the baggage claim. A quick phone call to the hotel verified the incompetence of the woman with whom I set up the reservation in the first place. She swore she did not know what airlines I was on, even though I had clearly enunciated the flight time, number, and name. I know…I was there. I swore back (under my breath, of course).

Twenty minutes later, bags were hauled into the trunk, I was tucked safely in the backseat, and the ride to the Hilton in Bellevue had begun. To put into the words the beauty of the Seattle land almost seems sacrilegious. The evergreens stretched their branches around the houses nestled in the abundant hills. Winding roads created mazes that even mice would not figure out. Waters sparkled against the unusually sunny sky. Not a cloud was in sight. Flowers were pumped to the fullest blooms and accented the sidewalks as we sped toward the destination. I was at peace. I knew this weekend would be different than the dreary, dank, gloomy setting of New Haven, Connecticut.

The town car ride turned out to be forty dollars, not the thirty five quoted on the phone. I started to argue, but the driver wasn’t the person to take my gripes. The desk manager would be the responsible party for any and all complaints for the weekend, and there were a few…enough to reap ninety dollars back, which helped with the damage this trip created for my wallet. But enough about the technicalities of the weekend. Let’s get down to the good stuff.

This hotel room was a true improvement over the previous weekend’s accommodations. Four fluffy pillows adorned a soft, high bed. And that was my first destination. I dove, head first into the bed, hid my face in the plethora of pillows, and snored my way into oblivion.