The Convention is Here but I'm Not There

 Chicago is abuzz because the Democratic National Convention is here. In my "past life" I would have been involved scurrying around making things happen and avoiding any faux pas.

So, what am I doing?  I'm chillin', I'm relaxi' and I'M LOVING IT!

Amtrak - THE WORST

Well, instead of taking vacations to another continent, as I've done in the past, I decided to travel within the United States.  To the West.

What better way than taking a vacation on Amtrak.

I had my roomette where I could have privacy but that is probably the best I can say.

The first issue was that they had no wifi...who doesn't have wifi?  So, I had to use my phone to access messages.  And when we stopped at hotels, I was able to catch up.

Amtrak hires companies for its tourist needs. One company dropped folks off at the airport and took my bags off the bus...even though I wasn't going there.  When my bags were found missing, I was livid.  Fortunately, the bags were there.

Then, in Salt Lake City, the restaurant I was supposed to dine at was closed for remodeling. Why didn't Amtrak know that?  

I was so looking forward to San Francisco:  Fisherman's Wharf, cable cars - positive vibe. We were supposed to arrive at 4:55 PM.  Time enough to bask in the uniquely San Francisco ambience. But we didn't get there until 2:30 AM. Delays...delays...delays.  Because I was on a tour the next morning, I never got a chance to enjoy San Francisco's ambience before we were on our way to Los Angeles.

There are many similar stories. But reliving them on this platform is depressing. So, I'll just sign off and vow never to take Amtrak again.  And you shouldn't either!