So let’s talk travel.  Everyone thinks about taking a little trip from time to time, whether it’s to visit a relative, friend, or just to get away.  And then there are those who spend all year, or years planning that great big trip that will be the end all of end alls. The big splash to some foreign country, or multiple states in which they can speed through and, take tons of pictures so they can talk about their every moment for anyone who will take time to listen or, at least take time to tune them out and be polite. Then there are people like myself who chose a career in which travel was a necessity, and not always a pleasure.   Yes I enjoyed all the places, events, and cultures I experienced but, I didn’t always have the time or, took the time to enjoy what was right in front of me. I lived permanently with a suitcase packed, and a hand on the phone to get that upgrade, or extra something that I thought I deserved.

I was the one you have seen at a hotel complaining about the concierge, or room service or that I did not have enough pillows, or my every whim was not met. I was the one that if the bellman did not have my luggage in the room before I got there, heads were going to roll. Not only that, if the name of the hotel did not have stars beside it, it wasn’t going to happen, much less the terms extended, extended stay, motel suite, anything with Inn or Motel did not include me. But, with everything times change.

So you are probably reading this and asking yourself why is he writing a blog about travel, and travel deals? And what credentials does he have? Well, let’s see, 32 countries, one round the world trip in 21 days, one 6 month stay in the orient, one year in the UK, one year in Canada, two long stays in the rain forest, and one run of the bulls. Plus on a good day, I can do the tango from Argentina and speak limited Spanish and French. So what does that make me?  A shmuck, a person who never appreciated anything that was in front of me, or considered travel as a gift. I never really appreciated the everyday blessings, and people that were around me. I would stay in a hotel simply because it had a pool or gym and then, never use it. I enjoyed dropping  names, and paying extraordinary prices for nothing more than to be able to use it at dinner, and impress who ever was in front of me. But that has changed; one due to the fact that I had a life changing experience, and also because the economy went into the black hole.

So what did I learn? I learned that I would rather spend my money on the outside of a hotel than on the inside. I learned that what I really wanted, or needed was a clean room, a safe environment and good people to give me directions, (not to mention, the internet). I also know now that the term extended stay, extended stay motel, Inn, suites and such, are my best friends. Also, every town has jewels that do not cost money and are rarely advertised. 

In this blog, I am going to break down the travel experience into two categories. The getaway traveler, the traveler who is taking a spur of the moment trip, or on a short business trip, and the extended stay traveler, the traveler who is on an extended stay for business, family matters, relocating to a new area, or who is in any kind of housing transition. We are going to discuss the finer points of getting the most out of your budget, and finding those little things that will bring you great joy. We are going to start with Asheville, NC, my home, and we are going to move from there across the country and across the globe. We will talk about everything from how to pack, where to stay, who to meet, and how to get there. But I will need your help because, who better than you the reader, to bring to the world and me your valuable tips. We are all experts in some sense of the word, and we are our entire best critic and, our best adviser. Will everything be rosy and positive? NO, I am going to be brutally honest, and give you my opinion and you are welcome to disagree with me, because hey, I am not getting paid for this, I have nothing to lose. Do I work at a hotel, yes, but only one hotel and there are many motels, hotels, extended stays, inn, hostels, and everything in between to be covered. So get off the sofa and stop saying you can’t afford it, or maybe next year, next year is here, and yes some things are free, just look in your own backyard.

Catch you on the next flight.
Talmadge