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TL;DR: The Eclipse weekend SUCKED!
Well. The much-anticipated eclipse weekend was a total bust, with an unanticipated bonus.
After making my hotel reservation 8 months ago to be in the path of totality for the eclipse, I drove a little more than 2 hours to be there. At first glance, the hotel seemed ok. Not top-notch, but good for the price. I expected it to be a busy weekend for them, so wasn't surprised that when I checked in, it was pretty much 'self-serve'.
I hadn't eaten all day, and was ready for a drink (bases covered in luggage there), but I had booked a smoking room (yes, I smoke) but there were no ashtrays. And there were no signs of an ice machine in the corridors.
I went to the front desk, to find out why I had no ashtrays, and to inquire about the ice machine. Turns out the reservation system neglected the smoking request.
Granted, this was a VERY busy weekend in the city, and they did have a smoking room available, just like the one I originally got. But I was offered no assistance in making the change, and the desk clerk acted very put out.
The new room was on the second floor, and there was no lift (elevator). Since I had multiple cases, I had to make several trips to relocate.
By this time, I was pretty hungry, and my plans for an elegant sushi meal were in tatters, I asked if there was something nearby for eats. I was steered to a long line of fast food. I saw that there was an Arby's nearby, and with the notion that all rules were off for the weekend, I got a double roast beef with potato cakes. There is no Arby's near me, and it was a real treat. I felt the need for a nap after that, so I laid down and slept for a couple of hours. I was wakened by a craving for Taco Bell. Went and got my customary favorites to go, and went back to the new room to enjoy. BLEH! Maybe Columbia, South Carolina doesn't understand The Bell, but my faves were insipid at best.
On the way back the the hotel, I spotted an Asian market. I stopped in, and was blown away with the variety vs. what's available locally. I fully intended to go back and shop there on Tuesday
Fast forward to Sunday night. One of the vloggers I've followed for 8 years was on Discovery Channel's "Naked and Afraid", and his episode played that night. Harrowing and sad.
As I was watching from the hotel bed, I realized that the bed was too hard, and the pillows were way too soft.
I kept trying to get drunk enough to fall asleep, but nothing worked. I got NO sleep last night, in a torture of tossing, turning, trying to find a comfortable position. Somewhere around 3 AM, I decided that I wasn't going to get any sleep, the computer said there would be overcast conditions for the day today, and the expedition would be a real bust. So I decided to come home early in the day, and checked out of the hotel at 7 AM. I got home around 9:30, had a cup of coffee, and climbed into my comfy bed. I got a good 4 hours of sleep before my cats realized I was home and wanted cuddle time.
The area I'm in was supposed to get 97% totality of the eclipse, but we were under a heavy cloud cover during the time, so I'm not sure the darkness was the eclipse or just clouds.
*Sigh* The nap helped, I saw the eclipse coverage on TV.
The upside to this story?
In spite of really bad diet, stress, and no sleep....down to a new low.
Go figure.
Hugs,
~Kes
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