unconventional business travel

as a result of fall orientation for 4 local universities occurring at the same time this year, Lynchburg Virginia is facing a dearth of hotel rooms this week. and since my team didn't book far enough in advance, we're all having to scramble to find accommodations. some used their "platinum override" at the local Marriott to essentially kick out "common guests"; the rest of us who have hearts are scrambling to find an alternative.

my alternative consists of a local B&B, the Carriage House Inn Bed and Breakfast. at this very moment, i'm sitting in my four-poster bed surrounded by antique furniture (and wireless, of course). and in 7 short hours i'll be devouring a delicious breakfast of berries, croissant french toast, and eggs and sausage, according to the paper left on my pillow. i'm already excited about wednesday night, an excitement bound to be enhanced by the fact that even the B&B wasn't available tomorrow night so i'll be making the trek to a Super 8 in Appomattox.

my team thinks it's hilarious that i'm staying here tonight, and i suppose it is. we're all accustomed to accruing massive amounts of hotel points and staying in the same, cookie-cutter style rooms wherever we go. so to have a 3-course, country breakfast and a wrap-around porch complete with porch swing is quite a change from the usual routine. the hotel points and Marriott consistency can certainly be nice, but if you ask me, this is a welcome change.