So, here I am traveling to an even colder part of the country than where I live to get a new car. (Long story, but the gist of it is that my current car lease is ending and there's not one single Toyota dealer in the entire state of Iowa that is a COSTCO authorized dealer - which is the program where I got my current and previous cars...) Originally, I was told that the car I wanted wasn't going to arrive at the dealer until the 25th but three days ago, the salesperson called me to say that the car arrived at the dealer early. Could I come up this weekend. It took a little rearranging of my schedule but I said, "Sure!" I totally forgot that today is St. Patrick's Day, a fact that hit me as soon as I pulled into the hotel parking lot yesterday...
The hotel is in an isolated area (yay) but it has a large, and popular, Irish pub restaurant attached to it. (Eek!) As soon as I opened my car door to head over to the hotel entrance, the sound of bagpipes filled the air of the parking lot and it was clear that there were going to be a lot of festive people there this weekend. (Evidently, there aren't that many restaurants in the area to begin with, and this is their busiest weekend.)
I asked the front desk person if she could put me in a room as far away from the restaurant as possible because of my sound sensitivities. She was wonderful. My room is in the highest part of the seven-floor hotel and I'm on an inside corner of the "T" shaped corridor. Only one neighboring room and the other side is the short leg of the "T" corridor. I couldn't have asked for a better room this festive weekend.
This morning I decided to have a relaxing breakfast so I went to the restaurant (that same Irish pub) and asked to be seated in a quiet spot (my typical request when going to a restaurant by myself). I couldn't believe it... The restaurant was packed and loud live music was playing. It was only 8:30 a.m. and the celebrations had already begun (unless they hadn't stopped after last night's festivities). One of the guests who was leaving the restaurant when I arrived was clearly annoyed by how loud the music was playing - and let the host know it. What's funny is that even though I'm sensitive to sound, I actually didn't mind the loud music. As I've mentioned before, the louder the better for me. I wasn't thrilled about the chaotic hustle and bustle of the restaurant in general though, but I didn't have much choice in the matter since there are not many options around here.
I lucked out though... While waiting for a "to go" order, so I could take my yogurt parfait and bagel into the lobby to do some more writing while my room is getting cleaned, a table that was butted up to the side of the fireplace opened up. The host asked if I wanted to sit down there, so I did. To be honest, I didn't even put in my earplugs because the loud music drowned out any of the eating sounds around me. Knowing that as the day goes on, the restaurant will get busier and busier with all the St. Paddy's festivities, I may likely make my lunch and dinner there "To Go" orders but who knows... Maybe the redhead in me might revel in the celebrations a bit while I'm here... I may not be Irish, but I sure look like I am. I'll blend in quite well. :-)
The hotel is in an isolated area (yay) but it has a large, and popular, Irish pub restaurant attached to it. (Eek!) As soon as I opened my car door to head over to the hotel entrance, the sound of bagpipes filled the air of the parking lot and it was clear that there were going to be a lot of festive people there this weekend. (Evidently, there aren't that many restaurants in the area to begin with, and this is their busiest weekend.)
I asked the front desk person if she could put me in a room as far away from the restaurant as possible because of my sound sensitivities. She was wonderful. My room is in the highest part of the seven-floor hotel and I'm on an inside corner of the "T" shaped corridor. Only one neighboring room and the other side is the short leg of the "T" corridor. I couldn't have asked for a better room this festive weekend.
This morning I decided to have a relaxing breakfast so I went to the restaurant (that same Irish pub) and asked to be seated in a quiet spot (my typical request when going to a restaurant by myself). I couldn't believe it... The restaurant was packed and loud live music was playing. It was only 8:30 a.m. and the celebrations had already begun (unless they hadn't stopped after last night's festivities). One of the guests who was leaving the restaurant when I arrived was clearly annoyed by how loud the music was playing - and let the host know it. What's funny is that even though I'm sensitive to sound, I actually didn't mind the loud music. As I've mentioned before, the louder the better for me. I wasn't thrilled about the chaotic hustle and bustle of the restaurant in general though, but I didn't have much choice in the matter since there are not many options around here.
I lucked out though... While waiting for a "to go" order, so I could take my yogurt parfait and bagel into the lobby to do some more writing while my room is getting cleaned, a table that was butted up to the side of the fireplace opened up. The host asked if I wanted to sit down there, so I did. To be honest, I didn't even put in my earplugs because the loud music drowned out any of the eating sounds around me. Knowing that as the day goes on, the restaurant will get busier and busier with all the St. Paddy's festivities, I may likely make my lunch and dinner there "To Go" orders but who knows... Maybe the redhead in me might revel in the celebrations a bit while I'm here... I may not be Irish, but I sure look like I am. I'll blend in quite well. :-)
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