Hide and Seek: Hampton Style

The Admissions Counselor Is Back on the Road.

Today kicked off my spring recruitment season, sending me off in a rented Chevy Impala on a day-long drive with a stack of CDs and audio books from my local library.

When I pulled the large boat-like vehicle out of my driveway this morning, I had a nagging thought in the back of my mind that kept bothering me. What if, now with my first fall travel season under my belt, what if I have ironed out the kinks, learned from my mistakes. What if there are no more funny stories to be told, experiences to share?

Oh, how I should have put those thoughts aside! Certainly in a world where I constantly entertain myself on a daily basis...I should have known better.

For as you all know well - where there is a GPS, there is an adventure to be had.

It started with...6 hours of perfect road time. I even tried a new route to my territory. Listened to an audio book. Took in the sunshine. Then I made the mistake of thinking that I was invincible, that I could drive anywhere, arrive at any destination, not only in good time, but without flaw. My ego was in need of a reality check.

And Rhoda, my GPS, was happy to provide.

I can't place all the blame on the poor electronic GPS, however, for I seem to fail, even as a grown-up, to know my left and right. I was never very good at this. I remember my piano teacher when I was seven, looking at me astonished during one of our first lessons because I was a bit unsure of which hand was which, an important distinction for playing the piano. There was a brief time after that when someone would make a reference to left or right in school, and I would put my hands on my desk as if playing the piano to figure out which was which. But that is a whole other story.

So Rhoda told me to turn right today, and I would be at my hotel in 4 minutes. 4 minutes! I made it! Success! And then I turned left. Which is not my right at all. And this silly road was like a mini highway with a barrier in the center so even if I wanted to make an illegal U-turn, I'd have to have a flying car to do so. Or a boss who doesn't mind paying for damaged rental cars.

But my panic was immediately calmed by the fact that all GPS devices know to "recalculate the route." No big deal. I will get off at the next exit and get back on going in the RIGHT direction. And then I hear the voice say, drive 6.5 miles to exit 11. WHAT?!?!?! NO. WAY. I could practically smell my hotel and now I was forced to be stuck in this direction for ... WHAT!?!

I have always wondered what would happen on the roads with the barriers if you went the wrong way. I knew I should've learned my left and right!!!! Or not quit the piano.

Yet, I followed the directions, went the 6.5 miles, doubled back, and before I knew it I was turning onto a street that would lead me to the hotel. I even saw a sign at the red light "Hampton Inn and Suites" with an arrow pointing straight ahead. I drive up a curved hill, round the corner, see a business park and a gas station and an Applebees. I follow the directions exact. Rhoda says "You have arrived at your destination." I do not see a hotel. Instead of panicking or getting angry I find myself shouting "I want my comfy white bed!" Then I calm down. It has to be here.

I had seen a building behind trees across the street that looked like a Hampton...so I double back, through a corporate building parking lot, but the small sign over there says Marriott Residence Inn.

Oh Sweet Mother of Troy.

OK. I am talking to myself now in this boat of a car as I turn it around again. I am going back to the spot where Rhoda claimed there was a hotel. All there is is a gas station. And a building that looked like it burned down. I really hope that wasn't my hotel.

And then I think, what is that road leading to the side of the gas station...hmmm...I follow it past more corporate suites, past a water tower and more business store fronts. And suddenly there it is. Not looking like a Hampton at all, hidden in a nook around the corner down a small hill. A Residence Inn like building with a tiny sign saying Hampton Inn and Suites. I yelp in happiness!

Now, happily planning tomorrow's high school visit atop a super comfy king size bed, I must tell you this hotel, with the largest rooms I have ever seen, was worth the game of hide and seek.

And I can sleep well knowing that there will always be adventures to be had; I am looking forward to sharing them with you during this spring travel season and hope to continue them this time even when I am off the road and back in the office.

Safe travels and Be Well,
Alexandra