5-star Berlin. (Oct. 28, 2009)

I've been looking forward to this day in particular for the past 2 months.  I have traveled quite a bit in the past three years, never spending more than $30 (and usually significantly less) on accommodation. The point of traveling should be to experience the city, therefore spending a minimal amount of time and money on a place to sleep only makes sense.  Well, today that all changed; tonight I will rest my weary head on the pillows of a 5-star European hotel.  The reason  for my sudden change of heart is a long story that makes for a boring read.  The short story is that a month or so ago I needed a secure and reliable place to send concert tickets to.  I didn't trust a hostel or guesthouse, so I found a pretty good deal on priceline.com.  Of course the Holiday Inn was cheaper, but I've stayed in one of those before.          My fellow foodie friend, Anita once said, “Joey, you really seem to enjoy fru fru things.”  I was pretty insulted at first, but I'm ashamed to admit she is probably right (Even though she said this after the chocolate buffet- which was her idea!).   I would, however, like to change “fru fru” to something less gay sounding, like “nice”.   I enjoy nice things...  and doesn't everyone? 

Anyway,  the plan took a nosedive yesterday when I called the hotel to make sure they had received my ticket.  They hadn't.  This set off a terrible chain of events that consumed an entire day.  I called the ticket agency to see if they had even sent the ticket. 

“Sorry sir, we have no record of your order,” they said.

“Well my credit card company has a record of it,” I replied. 

“Please give me your email and our service department will respond to your call.”

“Today?”

“Maybe.”

I got the email around noon.  It was in German.  Fantastic!  I called them again, spending about 6 Euros in the process, for someone to tell me no English operators were available and that I should call back later. I did call back and finally got someone speaking to me in English, unfortunately I was using Skype in a coffee shop, and a big noisy tourist group (probably Americans) came in.  I was shouting moronically  at my computer and trying my best to decipher what the man was saying.  Come to find out, I had been calling the wrong ticket agency.  He gave me the wrong number to the correct company, but when I finally got through to them, they informed me that someone at my hotel had, in fact, signed for the tickets.  He faxed me a copy of the signature and I booked it across town to the hotel.  The conversation there was  polite and entirely not helpful.  They didn't know whose signature it was, or where my mail could be.  “Give me your email and I will let you know if we find it,” she said with a smile.  “Make sure it's in English,” I thought.  I gave her a skeptical smile and spent the night (at my $15 hostel) wondering about different scenarios and what my response to each one would be if they played out.   

There was no email this morning, I swam through the maze of beds and slumbering backpackers nursing hangovers  and checked out.  I reluctantly made my way across town in the rain dreading the horrible news I was about to get, but instead of “Sorry sir . . . ,” I was handed an envelope with my ticket inside.   I had been trying to fit in as best as possible in this place, but my five-star facade faded and I let an “awesome!” slip out when the concierge handed me the parcel.  

I was then taken to my room where I probably, once again, let it be known just how out-of-place I truly was. The suite was incredible!  It has the biggest bed I've ever seen, an Ipod deck,  and original art adorning the walls.  The bathroom has movable walls that allow guests to watch TV from the huge bathtub.  It also has many things with uses unbeknown to me, and  for some reason I like that.  There's also a pool and gym.  That reminds me, I never blogged about the gym I joined in Bangkok.  Basically it was going to be a blog about how often I went (3-4 times a week for nearly a year)  without seeing any results whatsoever.  I hope this motivates you.

Okay, this blog is already far too long (sorry).  I will go enjoy my room now.