I didn’t really know what to expect before I arrived here in Tampa, and I must admit to being somewhat underwhelmed. Of course, it’s not like I’m going to be able to see much of the city…I am, after all, here on a business trip, not a vacation, By the time I even begin to be able to find my way around, it’ll be Friday and time to go home, which will be just fine with me. Of course, my attitude about this trip isn’t quite what it could be. I was scheduled to come, even though there is no real reason for me to be spending the week here. Nonetheless, I was told to come…and so here I am.
There was a time in my life when business travel was a challenge and an adventure. I was able to go to a number of cities I’d never been to before, do what I need to do with customers and clients, and maybe have a little bit of fun along the way. Now, I’ve done this enough that the adventure has long since left the concept of business travel. No, I’m not jaded, but airports are airports, and offices are office, no matter where you may be. Though I’ve never been to Tampa before, I’d like to be able to say that I’m going to spend some time enjoying my new surroundings. Most, though, I just miss being home.
It seems that the older I get, the less excited I am about travelling alone. Let’s face it; waking up alone in a strange hotel room is just not an appealing prospect. Not when I’m used to waking up next to She Who Endures My Myriad Eccentricities and tripping over two dogs before I can turn on a light. There’s a certain comfort and familiarity in that, and I miss it. To make matters worse, the coffee here at the Crowne Plaza sucks….
Of course, the positive aspect of this week is that it certainly helps reinforce what I have back home. Be it ever so humble….
A few years ago I made a series of visits to clients in San Antonio and Austin. The Embassy Suites in both cities were cookie cutter clones, right down to the layout, carpet, room furnishings and fixtures. Even the coffee pots were identical
On the third or fourth trip, I woke one morning and knew immediately that I was at an Embassy -- But had to fire up the coffee pot before I was sure which city I was in.
(At which point I realized that I was travelling too much!)