I'm Bbbaaaaaaaaaccccckkkkk

Well, as you can tell from the title I have access to my site!!! I can write from work when/if I get free time. I have a minute before a meeting so I thought I'd tell you about my trip.

First, like a smart kid I went on Priceline.com to search for a hotel for my layover in Baltimore. Boy did I pick the right place. I entered the max amount that the Air Force will pay for a room in Baltimore and Priceline came back with a ton of 3 star hotels that would accept my "bid". As I started through the pages I found a couple of 4 star hotels. On about the 4th or 5th page it listed a 5 star hotel that would accept the amount I entered. So I took a look and booked it, I mean what the hell if their hotel would accept the paltry amount that the AF was willing to pay, why not.

So, the hotel was booked, the bags were packed and as of last Saturday I was on my way. I flew into Atlanta first and then Baltimore. The leg to Atlanta wasn't bad. I slept 3 of the 4 hours so it went fast. The leg from Atlanta to Baltimore was little more than an hour so a little music from the MP3 player kept me entertained.

After I arrived in Baltimore I called a cab to take me to my hotel. The trip from BWI to my hotel took about 15 minutes. When I arrived I was amazed at the hotel. It was originally a "luxury" apartment complex built in the late 1800's. In 1929 the complex was purchased and renovated into the luxury hotel that it is today. The first floor was a massive foyer with the check in desk and an antique library filled with more than a thousand antique books. The second floor was a restaurant and a ballroom. The rooms themselves were on floors 3-12. Everything in the hotel was either antique furniture or marble. It was truly exquisite. After I checked in the bell hop asked for my room number, then told me to "head on up" and he'd be there shortly. I took the elevator to my room on the 7th floor. I opened the door and was I amazed. The amenities were near endless. The room had 7 windows, a king sized bed, hot tub, Jacuzzi style bathtub, heated towel racks and like the rest of the hotel it was embellished with fine linens, antique furniture and the bathroom was floor to ceiling marble. Needless to say I had a very nice stay. The morning I was to leave I called down to the desk and the bell hop came up to pick up my bags. After turning in my room key I was led out curbside where a complimentary limousine was waiting to take me to the airport.

That was where the niceties ended and the "hurry up and wait" of the military began. I took my bags into the airport and headed for the AMC terminal. I approached the counter at about 1230 and the person at the counter informed me that I couldn't check my baggage until 1430. So I went to the USO to store my luggage and then headed out into the airport to get a bite to eat. At 1430 I headed back to get my bags and then back up to the AMC counter. I stood in line for nearly two hours before I finally got to check my bags. After I checked in I went through security to my gate. I arrived at my gate at about 1630 and had to wait until 1930 to board. I got on the plane at about 1945 and we didn't take off until nearly 2100. Like most things in the military there desire to avoid any delay leads to doing most things way to early. Anyway, the flight from Baltimore to Frankfurt was a little over 7 hours. As much as could be expected it wasn't too bad for a 7 hour flight. I had the laptop, DVD's and the MP3 player to keep me entertained. I arrived in Frankfurt at 1030 Monday the 28th.

So, now you know I am here and safe. Next time I get a second I'll tell you about how things have been for the past 24 hours or so.

Check back soon.

SlagleRock Out!

Posted by SlagleRock at March 1, 2005 07:14 AM