A Bed and Breakfast is just right for rejuvination
I travel a lot by myself, and often am required to stay in hotels, often near the airport. Standard features, stale air and anonymity make for very forgettable experiences, to say the least. No matter how friendly the staff, how many cable channels, or how fast the wi-fi connection, I am left with a sterile, disconnected feeling.
A few years ago I began exploring other lodging options, including the Bed and
Breakfast. What an adventure! I remember the first one, a Bed and Breakfast in Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C. Not only did I get a comfortable bed and a breakfast fit for a king, but I met fascinating guests from all around the US, Belgium and Switzerland.
The owners had an interesting story as well – having retired from busy careers in New York, they made a choice to slow down. Now he tinkers around the house, she fluffs pillows and they spend lots of time in the kitchen together preparing meals and getting to know their guests. I suspect he may actually be using the Bed and Breakfast as a cover for a job with the CIA, but that’s another story.
One day I had a free morning and joined a small group of graduate students from Indiana University on a trip to the Smithsonian, taking in the sights along the way. What fun. That evening we felt like old friends, sitting on the covered porch in the warm spring air, sharing highlights from the day, and exchanging contact information. The Bed and Breakfast owners surprised us with freshly baked ginger snaps and mint julips. A great combination, by the way.
Leaving Washington, I felt happy. Even though this had been a business trip, staying in a Bed and Breakfast allowed me to connect with fellow human beings in a natural setting. I was well-rested. I hadn’t watched any television. I felt like I had a sense for what it’s like to actually live in Washington, DC and, best of all, I now have friends in Indiana!