Expectations were high in this household that on a “warm and sunny” Easter weekend we would venture out on an overnight voyage, the first since March 2020.
We held tentative conversations about where we would go, how long we would stay, which hotel we would grace with our presence — all the usual conversations travellers would have before leaving the home’s driveway.
We procrastinated a bit about booking a hotel, possibly thinking we would be the only ones seeking accommodation in our favourite spot. Housemate asked a couple of times about his sleeping quarters away from home and I finally got around to calling the hotel, while also checking out alternatives.
Our favoured spot has a recorded voice answering the phone and politely directs callers to push the appropriate button to receive the desired service. Two pushes on No. 1 provided another voice saying she would attempt to connect me with that extension. Her efforts failed and then came the opportunity to leave a detailed message. There was an indication that indeed the message would be answered promptly.
It is a good thing I didn’t trust that my call would be returned so I called again, again and once more, leaving messages each time. Still no return call. Ditto for the second choice of hotels.
While doing my own internet research through some booking companies, I determined rooms were scarce but a few remained. I had never used this particular agency before but got a reservation for four nights. Being so tech savvy I agreed to get the company’s app on my phone so we could receive instant alerts about our travel plans.
Strangely the phone notification did not match the confirmation details sent via e-mail. Being a worrywart, I called the hotel directly and low and behold, I got through to a real person at the registration desk who listened with sympathetic sounds as I explained what I thought might be a problem. She kindly checked and confirmed our reservation. A relief for sure.
With so much excitement in our household, it was like someone let the air out of the tires as we listened to road closures and cautions about slippery, snowy and windy conditions. We hovered over highway hotlines in two provinces and decided a one-day delay might be in order. I altered our reservations twice, with the hotel and also advised the booking agency.
Finally, after being on the verge of staying home and eating fast food hamburgers for Easter, we made a spontaneous spur-of-the-moment decision to be brave souls and head out to see family members who claimed they would be delighted to see us.
So in a hurry the suitcase got packed, the medications went into a special receptacle and a lunch was prepared in case all restaurants between here and there and home again were closed.
We had our selection of two rooms upon arrival: the booking agency had us in one room and the hotel in another.
The room I selected based on price had a lovely kitchenette with a full-sized refrigerator.
It did not have comfortable mattresses, a television that worked nor a sink drain that drained. And the complimentary breakfast supposedly available until 9:30 a.m. was on Easter Sunday morning only served until 9 a.m. despite signs to the contrary. A delightful staff member had our plates filled and served to us directly from the kitchen because she too was upset with the hotel management for not having proper signage.
She should have been put in charge of television repairs and plumbing issues because all we got in return for reporting the problems at the check-in desk was a shrug of the shoulder.
Despite trials and tribulations with our accommodations, we had extra special visits with family members, saw some wildlife up and back, and enjoyed our first sleepover in many months.
With all our renewed travel experience, and as soon as we regain our strength, who knows where the next road will take us? It will likely be another adventure.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
